Looking for a 2-3 day venue to use my nordic long blade touring skates, which are designed for lake and river ice.

Need several long thin lakes that would freeze hard before the snow arrives.

Any ideas?

Thank you.

Long thin lakes, sounds like you need to head up the Gunflint Trail. There’s so many long thin lakes Up the trail that you should be able to find what you need without venturing too far off the road.

Tony

It is a rare year when the lakes freeze hard and smooth without snow. In the 35 years I've lived in the border country I think there's been two years in which with solid ice and no snow cover. More luck using skate skis and a little more latitude as the skis disperse your weight while the skates concentrate it.

I have talked myself out of using these nordic blades many times over 20 years. No more.

I have to play this trip by ear.

1. Determine the lakes with ice cover that are snow free using Nasa worldview.

2. Look for a snow free weather window.

3. Show up, measure the ice, and decide.