For several consecutive weekends, South Shore residents experienced a rare winter treat— frozen lakes and ponds that invited skaters of all ages to lace up and get outside. The extended cold snap transformed our region’s lakes and ponds into natural ice rinks, where longtime skaters rediscovered their love for the sport and newcomers experienced the thrill of skating on natural ice for the first time.
Among those embracing the ice was Neil Molloy, who spent a sunny Saturday afternoon skating near Blue Rocks. “I hadn’t skated in a long time and worried I might slip and injure myself. As I pushed off the solid water, my worries melted away. The wind rushed past, and I couldn’t help but smile.”
Heather Smith also seized the opportunity, borrowing skates and venturing onto outdoor ice in Nova Scotia for the first time. “It was a very new experience hearing the cracks in the ice as you’re skating by,” she said. “It instantly made me want to get new skates and do it every weekend.”
For Alanah Correia, the frozen lakes marked the beginning of a new tradition. Having only borrowed skates in the past, she took the plunge and bought her own pair— on sale, no less. “This felt like a commitment to skating,” she said after gliding across Beck Lake. “I had never skated on a body of water before. There was something about going in the middle of the lake that felt very spooky, and I loved the textures of the lake.”
While winter can often feel long, the natural ice provided a reason to embrace the outdoors. “A lot of people, myself included, struggle with winter. This year, skating has really changed my relationship with it,” Alanah reflected. “I felt a lot of joy and freedom when skating outdoors. You’re in the elements, you’re in your body, you’re having to navigate this inconsistent body of water. I felt like a little kid. I look forward to skating more!”
For many on the South Shore, these frozen weekends were a reminder of the simple joy of winter, and a great excuse to lace up and get outside.
