If you love ice skating and the great outdoors but haven’t experienced skating on a lake, you’re missing out. There’s no better feeling than gliding freely on ice while taking in the cool, fresh air. But luckily for us who live on the lake, this is an experience we’re fortunate to be able to enjoy in our backyard.
In cold-climate regions, due to lake stratification patterns, a solid layer of ice on top of cold-weathered lakes makes this sport possible. At Lake Homes Lifestyles, we’re all about the lake life, whether fishing in the summer or ice skating in the winter. In honor of one of our favorite winter activities, check out these top ice-skating lakes across the globe.
Located in the province of Alberta, this gorgeous lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Due to these natural wonders, some have referred to it as “Banff’s best-kept secret.” However, as a heads up, Two Jack Lake is not an official skating area, and it does not have skate rentals or Zambonis. As such, you’ll need to bring your own skates and be more cautious approaching the lake. If you’re looking for a more formalized selection of ice-skating lakes, check out Lake Louise in this same province.
When deciding which of the many ice-skating lakes in Europe to visit, this great lake is certainly one to Czech out (pun intended). Located in the market town of Frymburk in the Czech Republic, this lake is situated right by a comfortable resort. But don’t underestimate its cozy vibes for lack of impressiveness. Lipno Lake is actually the longest natural ice-skating track in Europe, stretching six miles in length — enough for multiple skating days without redundancy. As you skate by, you can enjoy amazing views of cute towns and snowy mountains emblematic of central Europe.
As a country, Sweden is one of the most popular ice-skating destinations worldwide. And if you’re looking specifically for ice-skating lakes, look no further than Lake Vanern, the largest lake in Sweden and the third-largest in Europe. Its size stretches across three provinces: Vastergotland, Dalsland, and Varmland. Instead of overly manicured scenery, this lake boasts rustic, natural beauty and amazing sunsets. What could be more picturesque as you skate along this lake?
When it comes to ice-skating lakes, Shichahai Lake is probably the most fun-filled lake. There’s a reason this Beijing lake is so popular with children. Home to an 18-foot-long ice slide, ice bumper cars, ice boats, and ice chairs, there’s no limit to the excitement on this lake in the winter. If you decide to visit, the shorter days are no worry. Night skating is available, and there are plenty of surrounding lights for safety.
Located here in the U.S., Keystone Lake, Colorado, is the largest Zamboni polished outdoor rink in North America. And even better, it’s located on a natural lake. Suppose you visit without bringing your own ice-skating equipment, no worries. At this impressive, beautiful lake, you can rent skates for the day. If you’re into hockey, you can also rent pucks and hockey sticks for a game with friends. After a full day of enjoying the ice, you can check out the nearby Adventure Center for a cup of hot chocolate.
When selling your lake home, and especially when setting your price, you need to think like a buyer. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, shares a few questions to get you in the buyer mindset.
“Would I Rent This?” Think about whether or not you would rent your property for a week if you saw it on rental websites. Try to take emotion out of your thinking and act as if you’ve never seen it before.
“Would I Rent This Again?” After asking yourself if you would rent your property, ask if you would rent it again. Think about if your house has things that would make you come back over other lake properties.
“Would I Pay More Than List?” Before setting a price, ask yourself if you would pay more than the price you plan to list.
“Would I Buy at This Price?” You should also consider if you would pay the current list price of the property. The price you paid for the house a few years ago is probably relatively the same, if just slightly higher.
“Is it The Best Value In This Market?” The best value doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest price. Working with an expert lake agent helps you determine if your property is the best value in your market. Additionally, you want your property to be the best value compared to other lakes.
When It Doesn’t Sell, You Won the Bidding! Every day your property doesn’t sell, you win the bidding by getting to keep it for another day. This can help you determine if you need to change your mindset to a buyer’s perspective.
Selling your home can be challenging if you don’t have the right mindset. Using these questions and guidelines helps you to think like a buyer and get your lake property sold. Connect with expert lake agents at lakehomes.com and sell your home faster.
With wintertime approaching and the holiday season in full swing, we’ll be spending a lot of time in our lake houses. As such, it’s bound to be a cozy few months filled with blankets, hot chocolate, and books by the fireplace. These activities evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation, which is better encapsulated by the Swedish word hygge. Pronounced “hoo-gah,” this concept is all about finding a state of contentment. To help you get into the spirit of coziness this winter, we’ve compiled this ultimate hygge playlist. Between classical music and instrumental covers of your favorite songs, we’ve got you covered!
Sweet Night Instrumental – V
Beautiful (Instrumental) – Crush
The Four Seasons – Violin Concerto in F – Antoni Vivaldi
Moonchild Ballad (Instrumental) – Lyn
Hygge – Lizlov
Strawberry Moon (Instrumental) – Lydia Luce
Please Forget Me Instrumental – Standing Egg
Give You My Heart (Instrumental) – IU
September Song – Agnes Obel
Copland: Appalachian Spring: VII – Aaron Copeland
Valse du caribou – Hannu Kella, Matit ja Maijat
Here Comes the Sun – Alan Jameson
Take My Hand (Instrumental) – JANNABI
Hygge – Miro
In Your Eyes – Leonardo Reyes
What a Wonderful World – Wayne Mack
Canarios – Gaspar Sanz, Rolf Lislevand
Visa vid vindens angar – Adrian Edblad
Thank You For the Music (Instrumental) – Benny Andersson
All Night Long – Car, the garden
How Far Will I Go – Tim Raymond
Circles – Mike Ilyas
Krivo polska – Hazelius Hedin, Esbjorn Hazelius
Intentions – Jean Cruiz
Photo of My Mind (Instrumental) – Song Ga In
Game of Thrones Theme (Piano & Cello) – Benny Martin, The Wong Janice
The Sound of Silence (Instrumental Guitar) – Guus Dielissen
Le Festin – Cao Son Nguyen
Northern Lights – Charles Avnik
Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major – Johann Sebastian Bach
Moon River – Gustav Lundgren
Colors of the Wind – Ned Michales
Hallelujah – Eddy Tyler
River Flows in You (Solo Cello Version) – Nikola Zolkiewska
Rainbow (Instrumental) – Allen & Bright, Lance Allen
Someone Else’s Story – Benny Andersson
Annie’s Song (Instrumental) – Lance Allen
Somewhere Only We Know – Jesse Brown
Moondance – Midnite String Quartet
Dawn from “Pride & Prejudice” Soundtrack – Jean-Yves Thibaudet
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out our other playlists!
Sellers often get confused when their lake home doesn’t sell. Asking questions helps to get rid of the confusion, but some questions are better than others. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, discusses questions to avoid asking when your lake home doesn’t sell.
“How Many Views?” Sellers ask how many views their property has, but this can be deceptive. There’s no good answer to this question for sellers. If a property has millions of views, they’ll wonder why it hasn’t sold. If it doesn’t have any views, they wonder why it’s not getting exposure. The only number of views that matters is the one that buys the property.
“Can We Promote It ‘Better’?” Some agents promote homes better than others, so this can be a valid question. However, if the property is populating in the MLS and other websites, the consumer knows it’s there; they just aren’t willing to buy it.
“Have an Open House?” Buyers for lake homes typically come from some distance away. This means they won’t arrange their weekend around your open house schedule. They know if your home is for sale and they’re coming into town, they can see it.
“Should I Change Agents?” Has your agent properly promoted and priced your home and given sound advice? If they’ve done all this, you probably already have a good agent. Once they bring the buyers, it’s on you to get the negotiating going.
After Exposure, Price Fixes Everything. When asking yourself why your house hasn’t sold, the answer is almost always the price. An appropriate price will answer all of these questions.
Be the Best VALUE. This doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest price, but being at a price that people are willing to invest in your home. Buyers are ready to buy lake homes but aren’t willing to overpay.
Talk with your agent when confused about why your lake house isn’t selling. Every agent would bring a buyer if they knew one that would get a transaction. An unsold home always boils down to price. Visit lakehomes.com to connect with expert lake agents ready to help get your home sold.
Take a trip down memory lane with this enchanting oldies Christmas playlist! Featuring timeless hits from the golden era, these songs bring the magic of the holidays to life with vintage charm and warmth. Whether you’re decorating the tree, enjoying a cup of cocoa, or reminiscing about treasured holiday moments, this playlist is the perfect soundtrack.
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Frank Sinatra
O Holy Night – Bing Crosby
The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
Blue Winter – Connie Francis
Caroling, Caroling – Nat King Cole
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Bing Crosby
I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Frank Sinatra
Mary’s Boy Child – Harry Belafonte
The Happiest Christmas Tree – Nat King Cole
Silver Bells – Dean Marting
Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Fran Sinatra
Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
Jingle Bell Rock – Brenda Lee
Sleigh Ride – The Ronettes
Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season – Andy Williams
The First Noel – Frank Sinatra
Winter Wonderland – Johnny Mathis
Deck The Halls – Bing Crosby
Ring Christmas Bells – Ray Conniff
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
Here Comes Santa Claus – Gene Autry
Someday At Christmas – Stevie Wonder
We Wish You The Merriest – Frank Sinatra
A Marshmallow World – Dean Martin
Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) – Bing Crosby
Frosty The Snowman – The Ronettes
Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry
Jolly Old St. Nicholas/The Little Drummer Boy – Ray Conniff
If Every Day Was Like Christmas – Elvis Presley
Did you enjoy this playlist? Be sure to check out our other playlists!
If you’re looking for unique and thoughtful gifts that capture the beauty and serenity of lake life, Etsy is a treasure trove of lake-inspired finds. From handcrafted home décor to personalized accessories, there’s something for everyone who cherishes time spent by the water. Whether you’re shopping for a lake lover, a cabin owner, or someone who simply enjoys nature, these Etsy gift ideas will bring the peaceful, refreshing spirit of the lake right into their home. Let’s dive into some of the best lake-inspired gifts available!
A custom lake map is not only a personalized gift but also a meaningful way to celebrate a love for the water. In fact, these beautifully crafted maps, by GebraCrafters, capture the unique shape and intricate details of your favorite lake. Whether it’s a cherished family vacation spot or your own lake property, each map is meticulously designed. Additionally, these maps showcase the lake’s contours and surrounding landmarks, often available in various styles and sizes to match any décor. With customizable options for text, coordinates, and framing, a custom lake map adds a personal, meaningful touch to any home, making it a standout piece for any lake enthusiast.
This set of six leatherette coasters by CompanyTwentySix is perfect for celebrating the lake lifestyle. Crafted from durable faux leather, these coasters provide easy cleaning and maintenance and the sueded fabric backing on each coaster protects your tabletops from scratches and spills. Each set is laser engraved with lake-themed designs. You can choose between six assorted designs or six of any one design. Whether you prefer round or square, each coaster measures approximately 4 inches. The set includes a coordinating leatherette holder for easy storage.
Transform your lake home’s entrance with these stunning custom UV printed doormats from creativeintheclouds! Crafted from 100% coir, these doormats offer a perfect blend of style and functionality, providing a natural aesthetic while effectively trapping dirt and debris. With an anti-slip backing, you can step confidently into your home, knowing safety is a priority. The vibrant, long-lasting UV-printed designs add a personalized, lake living touch, making these doormats a standout addition to any home decor.
This personalized, 100% cotton, Lake Life Woven Blanket from TripleHug effortlessly brings the beauty of the outdoors into your home. It features detailed lake-inspired images like a boat, acorns, wild berries, a goose, and a deer and allows for personalization with your family name, lake name, or a special date. With its timeless design and intricate weaves, this blanket is the perfect gift for any lake enthusiast. Whether used as lake wall decor, a cozy throw, or a thoughtful gift, this blanket adds warmth and charm to any space, making it a versatile and cherished item.
Enhance your lake house décor or gift-giving experience with a custom engraved bourbon decanter set from Glass Lake Engraving. Featuring the lake of your choice etched into both the decanter and glasses, this timeless set adds a unique, personalized touch. Furthermore, it’s perfect for creating a memorable housewarming or holiday gift for lake enthusiasts. With high-quality laser engraving that’s both permanent and dishwasher-safe, the design will remain vivid for years. In addition, the decanter holds a standard 750ml bottle of whiskey, scotch, or bourbon, and you have the option to include two or four engraved glasses for a complete set.
Incorporating personalized lake-themed gifts into your holiday shopping list is a great way to celebrate the lake lover in your life. Each thoughtfully crafted piece will not only enhance their lake home décor but will also be cherished for years to come.
Are you in the process of selling your lake home? If so, one thing you want to avoid is the stress and suffering that can follow by not taking proper steps for a smooth process. Two main reasons lake homes typically don’t sell are lack of exposure and price. Lake Homes Realty CEO Glenn Phillips explains how to maximize this suffering; that way, you can hopefully avoid these mistakes when pricing your home!
After Exposure, Price Fixes Everything – This refers to the price at which the house is sold.
Overprice: If you think of pricing the house because of things you put into it or anything along those lines, think again. That has nothing to do with the market; these are simply wants due to emotional attachment.
Planning “The Haggle”: If you plan to go high so the buyer offers lower, resulting in a middle-ground number you’d still be happy with, you should reconsider it. Our data tells us that homes that are appropriately priced come in at the list price or slightly above. If it’s overpriced, they tend to drop significantly over time.
“Test the Market”: Generally when people test the market, they never figure out how they are going to score it. What is the test? Is it one week? Two weeks? Testing the market usually ends up being an excuse to overprice, and the test almost always fails.
DOM (Days on Market): The longer the home sits on the market, the longer it becomes a problem for consumers.
“Death Spiral”: Consumers are more informed now than at any other time in history. The more things you use, the more likely you are to be caught in this death spiral that is hard to escape.
Nobody wants to maximize their suffering when it comes to selling. If you stick with these different steps, it’ll definitely happen. One of the best ways to avoid this is to price appropriately. If you aren’t sure the best way to go about that, reach out to a lake agent at LakeHomes.com. They would love to be involved in the process with you.
One of the great joys of lake home living is strolling with friends and family to the water’s edge, gazing out at the waves from the side of a pier, and wrapping up the day by watching the sunset. It is a time of bonding and relaxation—special moments that entice many people to purchase a lake home in the first place. Unfortunately, such leisurely recreation is often difficult for the elderly or those with disabilities. It is challenging enough just to navigate the uneven ground between a house and the lake when using a wheelchair or walker. But piers can be narrow, docks can be uneven, and suddenly the whole thing becomes a stressful experience. The blissful waterside sunset gathering is no longer enjoyable or even possible.
“It’s not just about being able to get around in your home. It’s also about being able to access what’s outside your home, which, at the lake, can be a fishing pier or a boat dock,” says Rebecca Williams, an official with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Center. “You should be able to participate in your life, wherever it may be. And that includes recreation.”
Indeed, spending time along the water provides all manner of curative effects, regardless of one’s physical ability. Take away access to the lake, and you are just left with a house that could be located anywhere.
“Being in nature and enjoying the views has such a positive impact on people,” says Taylor Davis, a Birmingham-based architect who specializes in creating housing design for older adults with accessibility issues. “It gives you a sense of calm—a contemplative feeling—when you can connect with the outdoors. It’s not always easy to provide access, but it is important.”
David Jones, founder and director of SportsAbility Alliance in Florida, discovered the importance of outdoor access to his mental well-being after he was involved in an accident that left him unable to walk.
“One of the things I learned during the rehab process is how much I valued my outdoor recreation and what a source of comfort and motivation it was for me,” Jones said. “My mother’s house was on Lake Talquin in the Tallahassee area, and they built a sidewalk down a steep hill to the dock. They also widened the door of the pontoon boat, so my wheelchair would fit onto it and built a little platform to get into the boat.”
Such efforts are not common, however. According to a report released by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies analyzing the 2019 American Housing Survey, less than 4 percent of homes in the United States contain more than two basic accessibility features, such as no-step entry, wide halls and doors, elevated electrical plugs, etc. More elaborate features, such as ramps and lifts, are even rarer. And though the study does not specify lake homes, the remote location and sporadic use of many of these houses likely reduce the percentage of accessible homes even further. But as Williams points out, lake homes actually are ideal candidates for enhanced accessibility features since they often are used by people at or near retirement age who eventually will begin to have mobility issues.
“For most people, if you buy a house at a lake, your intention is to be there at least part-time for the rest of your life,” Williams says. “So if you acquire a disability and all those things you enjoyed before are no longer accessible, then maybe you don’t want to live in your dream home anymore. But with some additional features, you still can.”
The U.S. Access Board provides a list of the ADA Accessibility Standards on its website, including details for piers, gangway slopes, handrails, and boat slips. While these standards are required only for public facilities, Williams says they can also be used as guidelines for private homes.
The most obvious issue facing lake homes is the bumpy ground around the house and the elevation change toward the lake. Installing a ramp is the simplest solution, though Davis notes that if the elevation change is substantial, then a single ramp might be too long and steep. If that is the case, she suggests finding an area approximately halfway along the ramp path that can provide a landing space before continuing the rest of the way.
As for steps, Davis says to make them deeper and wider than average so they can be used more easily by someone with a walker or cane. In addition, she says a stair lift is also a possibility, even if it is installed outside in the elements.
“There are plenty of lifts made specifically for exterior use,” Davis says. “And there are ways to install and design around them to make them less intrusive. For example, they can be screened with landscaping. So, building a small path to a lift is a great way to (gain lake access) without having to build a long ramp that sticks out into the landscape. They can be very unobtrusive, effective, and easy to use.
For enjoying those sunset views (or any views) on the pier, make sure there is a flat area at least 4 feet deep and 3 feet wide where a wheelchair or scooter can be parked. “That way, they can roll up there and sit next to their family,” Williams says. “So rather than staying behind at the house, they can sit beside their family and watch the sunset with them.”
Williams suggests including a small space along the pier where the railing is lower so a person in a wheelchair can easily see over it. She says this space is also ideal for casting a rod if the disabled person enjoys fishing.
Keep all exterior pathways well-lit, preferably with long-lasting LED bulbs that rarely have to be replaced. “Lighting is extremely important if you have folks trying to navigate tricky terrain with a cane or walker,” Davis says.
Zero-Step Entrances
Photo courtesy of Nicholas Snyder Via DwellPhoto courtesy of Joe Fletcher Via Dwell
Make sure there is at least one easily accessible entrance to the house that does not have any steps or elevated threshold. “Even a 4-inch curb can be really hard to navigate if you’re in a wheelchair,” Davis says. “So one little zero-step entrance can make all the difference in the world in somebody’s ability to even get outside in the first place.”
Bathrooms can be hazardous for people with disabilities, so consider creating a zero-step entrance to the shower with enough space for a wheelchair to navigate. Lower shower fixtures and built-in open shelving also create a more accessible experience for those with mobility issues or reliant on a wheelchair.
Storage areas are vital at lake homes since many of them are not used on a daily basis. So Davis says to make sure that all storage areas are accessible. In addition, since everybody needs to keep their cell phones charged these days, install at least two or three plugs that are elevated off the baseboard and can be easily reached.
“All these are things that may not necessarily be needed today, but you need to make sure it’s something you’re thinking about for the long term,” Davis says. “You need to go ahead and create those opportunities that allow you to be outside in a way that fits whatever your physical realities may become.
“Because oftentimes, lake homes are generational homes. These get passed down from family to family, and there can be many generations that utilize that home on any given weekend. So thinking about access to these places in a more expansive way is really important, especially considering the investment that people make in lake homes.”
Doing so will ensure the sun never sets on your good times at the lake.
Living life at the lake provides fun, laughter, memories, and more! Even when it comes time to sell, memories will be made in the process. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, goes into detail on why you shouldn’t price in those memories when selling.
“Gateway to Memories”: People buying these lake homes can already picture their own memories that they will be making at the house. Buying a lake home doesn’t come from the need of simply having shelter. It comes from the desire to have these amazing experiences that come along with it.
Whose Memories?: You, as the seller, have important memories at that lake home. While they are important to you, they aren’t that important to the buyer. The buyers are wanting to create their own memories. However, you have an emotional attachment as the seller, making you think it has more financial value. Try to separate that due to the buyer not having that attachment.
Selling? Depersonalize (and Protect!): You have many things in the house that bring memories. You might want to put these things away; that way, it gives buyers a different feel to the home. You should also protect those valuables. You don’t want something happening to them while buyers look at your home.
Buying is Desire: You want to do things to where you aren’t pricing in memories. However, make it a way for the buyers to imagine creating their own memories in the house.
Selling is a Business Transaction: Think of your lake property as a stock. If you bought a stock at a certain price, it doesn’t necessarily matter. At the end of the day, it’s what the market says it’ll pay. You can always enjoy the memories later and not price how you feel depending on the memories.
Pricing a lake home can be difficult, especially when you begin to think of all the memories made there. If you’re still struggling with this today, reach out to one of our lake market experts at LakeHomes.com. They know the ins and outs and would be more than willing to help you in the process.
