As spring approaches and the days get longer, ice conditions can change very quickly. Please ensure that you check conditions before lacing up your skates. Remember, if you have any doubts about whether the ice is thick enough, stay off of it.
Please be aware that Parks Canada does not mark off places for safe skating, or mark potential hazards. If you choose to skate on natural ice, you do so at your own risk. Below are some general tips from the Red Cross on ice safety.
The Red Cross recommends an ice thickness of at least 6” for safety; the thicker the ice, the better. It’s up to you to assess the thickness of the ice, and to check in several locations. Skating at night or alone is not recommended, nor is skating on snow-covered ice because you cannot see how thick the ice is. Water vapour above the ice, or creaking and cracking noises, indicate weak ice.
Ice thickness can vary from place to place on any lake. When the weather is warm, the thickness of natural ice can change from day to day.
