Intro to Ice Sailing

Several ice boats on the ice
Photo Courtesy of Minnesota Monthly
  • An ice boat has four basic parts—the hull, the runner plank, three skates (or runners), and a sail.
  • Ice boats can reach speeds of more than 140 miles per hour.
  • There are two methods of boating: sailing downwind or going upwind.
  • There are several upcoming ice boating competitions in the U.S. for 2023.

Imagine feeling the breeze rush against your face as you glide across the ice at invigorating speeds. Welcome to the world of ice sailing, also known as ice boating or ice yachting—a fast-paced, thrilling winter lake sport enjoyed worldwide. In the United States, many northern lake destinations—such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois—feature lively ice sailing clubs and exciting annual competitions. Perhaps you’ve wanted to visit one of these wintry havens and try the sport for yourself. If so, check out our intro to ice sailing before you go!

Video Courtesy of Waterlust

What is an Ice Boat?

A drawing of the different components of an ice boat
Photo Courtesy of Harken

An ice boat has four basic parts—the hull, the runner plank, three skates (or runners), and a sail. The hull must support one or two crew members and have floating capabilities in case it slips into the water. Historically, ice boats have utilized a wooden hull, but today’s vessels incorporate fiberglass or laminate.

The runner plank rests at the stern of the boat and is made of wood, laminate, or metal. Generally spanning 6.5 feet long, the runner plank lies perpendicular to the boat’s main axis. Additionally, three skates—also called runners—attach to the principal runner plank. Two of these smaller runners connect to each end of the main runner and function like large ice skates. In addition, the steering runner joins the bow and features a parking brake, preventing the wind from moving the boat. The steering runner is especially useful in keeping the boat in place before the race begins.

Lastly, the sail—crafted with canvas or synthetic fabrics—powers the boat’s speed. The sail functions as the vessel’s “engine” and can span 35–1,000 square feet according to the boat’s size.

How to Ice Sail

Two ice boats sailing across the snow
Photo Courtesy of Colorado Springs Gazette

If you live in a lake area with plenty of ice and snow, the ice sailing opportunities are endless. Plus, you don’t have to worry about air pollution when you engage in this pastime. Since ice sailing is wind-powered, it is an extremely green sport.

Ice boats can reach speeds of more than 140 miles per hour, therefore, it’s essential to take some necessary precautions. If you’re new to the sport, IceBoat.org recommends purchasing an inexpensive DN-class boat, which is fairly easy to navigate and transport. They also advise racing with an ice yacht club for a couple of seasons. Then, after you become acclimated to the sport, you can upgrade your vessel and start boating solo.

When it comes to navigating, an ice boater must skillfully direct the vessel, capturing enough wind to generate velocity and power. The sail propels the boat at different speeds using two methods: sailing downwind or boating upwind. When an ice boat sails downwind, it is pushed along by the breeze and cannot exceed the wind’s velocity. However, when sailing upwind, the ice boat uses a zigzagging technique, gaining traction from the force of its own motion to augment the velocity of the wind.

Ice Sailing Competitions

Photo Courtesy of Atlas Obscura

Throughout the year, various ice sailing clubs around the world hosts large tournaments. In the United States, you will mostly find these gatherings in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, or Minnesota. Check out a few of the upcoming U.S. tournaments for 2023 here.

With our intro to ice sailing, now you know what to do and where to go. So what are you waiting for? Grab your ice boat and hop on the lake!

FAQs

An ice boat has four basic parts—the hull, the runner plank, three skates (or runners), and a sail.

The sail functions as the vessel’s “engine” and can span 35–1,000 square feet according to the boat’s size.

Ice boats can reach speeds of over 140 miles per hour.

The sail propels the boat at different speeds by using two methods: sailing downwind or boating upwind.

When an ice boat sails downwind, it is pushed along by the breeze and cannot exceed the wind’s velocity.

When sailing upwind, the ice boat uses a zigzagging technique, gaining traction from the force of its own motion to augment the velocity of the wind.

The History of Ice Castles

Tall ice structures lit by blue and purple lights at night.
Photo Courtesy of Heber Valley Radio

Colossal ice towers, multi-colored sculptures, playful tunnels, and invigorating sleigh rides—most of us have only seen these views through the lens of a snow globe. But did you know you could experience this stunning winter wonderland in person? Five U.S. states construct incredible ice castles during winter, making for an unforgettable family vacation. Plus, since these castles are always near a water source for drainage purposes, many are by the lake! So if you want to take a winter lake vacation to Lake George, Long Lake, or Lake Geneva, you can pair your trip with a visit to a nearby ice castle. If you want to learn about these wintry fortresses, join us as we dive into the history of ice castles!

What are Ice Castles?

Aerial shot of ice castle at night, lit by blue LED lights and filled with visitors.
Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Press

Entering an ice castle is like stepping into a fairy tale. Dazzling lights, snowy heights, and endless amusements abound at every corner. These wintry fortresses showcase complex chandeliers of sparkling icicles and intricate caverns and archways. Recently, many castles have added an ice bar, a relaxing spot to chill while the kids enjoy games and activities. Plus, many ice castles feature an active alcove—available for VIP booking and perfect for proposing to that special someone.

If you bring children along, they will delight in the beguiling ice slides and adventurous crawl tunnels. Additionally, they can visit the beloved winter reindeer room—a designated area where they can take pictures with real reindeer. After this, they can wind through delightful wooded trails on winter sleigh rides outside the castle.

What Are the Origins of Ice Castles?

Family walking through tunnel surrounded by ice structures.
Photo Courtesy of The Salt Lake Tribune

Brent Christensen is the mastermind behind Ice Castles. Fifteen years ago, Christensen and his family moved from sunny California to snowy Utah. On one freezing day, Christensen devised a plan to get his six stir-crazy kids outdoors. He built an ice cave in his front yard. It was an immediate success, attracting children from all around the neighborhood. The kids began to call this wintry paradise an “ice castle,” inaugurating Christensen’s vision for the five ice castles that exist today.

Today, ice castles host tens of thousands of annual visitors. CEO Ryan Davis owns and operates the company alongside COO Andrew Child, CFO Kyle Standifird, and CCO and creator Brent Christensen. They have patented their construction method and ice architecture, which features whimsical backdrops, formidable ice thrones, meandering tunnels, and amusing slides.

How Are Ice Castles Created and Maintained?

Men with hard hats dressed in winter clothes using tools to sculpt ice.
Photo Courtesy of Daily Herald

Ice Castles now boasts five locations—Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin. Each year, Brent and a team of 20-40 ice artists construct these castles entirely by hand. When the weather turns cold, the architects spray water in the designated castle area. They prefer the temperature to be around 10 degrees to grow the icicles. For every castle, they must grow around 12,000 icicles every day for two months to complete the structure. After a week, most structures reach 10 feet high, and the architects continue to add to them for a month or two until they reach the desired height.

Once all the icicles are harvested, the artists create the iconic tunnels, slides, fountains, arches, and thrones. Each castle weighs around 25 million pounds, and by the time the team completes all five castles, they have used hundreds of thousands of icicles!

We hope you enjoyed learning about the history of ice castles. Now it’s time to head to the lake and experience these winter wonderlands for yourself!

How to Handle Inclement Weather at the Lake

Photo courtesy of Steve Brimm via Lake Superior Magazine

In part due to climate change, extreme weather is increasing across the world. As a result, heavier rains and high winds directly affect freshwater systems. Since we spend a lot of time outdoors at the lake, it’s crucial to know what to do when encountering these extreme conditions. To make it easier, we compiled a few basic rules to help you stay safe in inclement weather at the lake.

Thunder and Lightning

Photo courtesy of Matt Hufstetler via Price County Review

According to the CDC, the optimal rule for this type of inclement weather is: “When thunder roars, go indoors!” It’s no wonder why. Where thunder is, lightning is not far behind, which is dangerous or even fatal. To protect yourself from thunder and lightning at the lake, keep the 30-30 rule in mind. If you see lightning, count to 30. If you hear thunder before reaching 30, go indoors and do not go back outside until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder. 

Also, keep in mind that lightning is essentially a giant electrical blast in the sky. As such, it can travel through metal and electronic devices, and it’s best to avoid these materials during a storm. This also includes avoiding water since lightning can travel through plumbing.

High Winds

Photo courtesy of The Hartford

According to The Weather Channel, high winds are the biggest threat to boaters in lake areas. These winds create choppy waves that can easily overturn a boat or fill it with water. This can be especially detrimental if improper flotation devices are used. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time and avoid going out on the lake in high winds. If you do end up there, according to Boatus, “head into the waves at a slight angle, and reduce your speed. This will help you maintain control and avoid falling off of a wave or having a wave break over your stern.” Also, avoid large areas of open water as winds are likely to be stronger there. If you’re caught outside on the land, a good rule of thumb is to seek shelter next to a building.

Tornadoes

Photo courtesy of Espen Bierud on Unsplash

If your lake house is located in the southeast or midwest, chances are, you’re no stranger to tornadoes. These regions most commonly experience tornadoes, especially during the late spring and early summer. A common myth about tornadoes is that they cannot cross lakes or other bodies of water. However, this is simply false. Tornadoes can cross bodies of water, and they can also form on bodies of water — a phenomenon known as a “waterspout.” Tornadoes can also change directions at any time, so anticipating their specific route will not ensure safety. Seek shelter immediately during a tornado in an interior room on the lowest floor of your building.

Hurricanes

Image courtesy of Open Water Chicago via WBCKFM.com

Typically, we think of hurricanes as a form of inclement weather that only affects beach houses. However, hurricanes can still be an issue if you live on a lake in a coastal region. For example, in 1996, a dangerous hurricane hit the Great Lakes region. Although this is the only time a Category I hurricane has impacted the Great Lakes, it’s not entirely out of the question. If you find yourself facing a hurricane, be sure to avoid low-lying, flood-prone areas and instead seek higher ground. And of course, staying away from windows is critical due to the threat of glass breaking.

Snow and Hail

Image courtesy of WNEP.com

Although many forms of inclement weather take place in the spring and summer, there are certain conditions to watch out for during the winter months. To protect you and your lake home from the damage of snow, you can prepare your house by securing your pipes for the winter and owning a snow shovel and other tools. However, one often overlooked form of inclement weather is a hailstorm. They form when raindrops are carried upwards by thunderstorm drafts. 

According to the NOAA, hailstorms outnumber thunderstorms in the U.S. with a 5 to 1 ratio. At a lake house, the best thing to do is take cover. Another important thing to remember is that if you have a garage, use it! Vehicle damage is very common with hailstorms, as these heavy balls of ice can easily break through glass. For the same reason, stay away from windows in your lake house. 

From us at Lake Homes Realty, stay safe out there!

Let it Snow (But Don’t Let it Stay): Tips for Managing Cold Weather at Your Lake House

Lake Tahoe cabin home

For those who live in southern states, winter may come and go with a minimal impact on your lake house. Perhaps it’s sunny most of the year and no new maintenance is necessary. However, if you live on one of the lakes in a colder region of the country, then you’re no stranger to the snow. As temperatures drop, a myriad of concerns increases. How can you protect your indoor pipes? How can you remove snow from your lake house and ice from your dock? While we’d all rather be focusing on decorating our lake house for the holidays, it’s crucial for any lake home owner to have tools to address these practical winter problems. At Lake Homes, we’re here to help with tips for managing cold weather concerns at your lake house. Whether you live on the lake year round or it’s your second home, we know first-hand the importance of a little maintenance when the weather outside is frightful.

Outdoor De-Icing

Boathouse deicer tips for managing cold weather
Photo courtesy of LakeIce.

Naturally, the most fundamental concern for the outdoor areas of your lake house is snow. Peter Elsenbach, the Director of Marketing of Raynor Garage Doors, speaks to the importance of managing it: “Adequately removing snow and ice from your driveway at your lake home not only provides an increased measure of safety for the foot traffic entering a home through the garage but can also help prolong the life of your garage door, where boats are typically stored.” Unlike snow that falls on the open areas of your property, snow by the garage door on your dock doesn’t have the ability to melt and refreeze which can cause the door to get stuck and become more difficult to open.

Boathouse deicer with warning sign
Photo courtesy of LakeIce.

To remedy this, Elsenbach suggests using a snowblower, as well as ice melt and salt to remove heavy snow from your lake house. You may also want to invest in a dock de-icer. First designed to allow you to store your boat in water during the winter months, you can use de-icers for a variety of outdoor snow maintenance tasks at your lake house. Be sure not to forget about your patio furniture too! Especially when it comes to outdoor cushions, these pieces can be sensitive to the snow. Make sure to clean and dry them, and either store them inside or cover them with a tarp for protection.

Indoor Dilemmas

Indoor lake home living room with snow outside
Photo courtesy of Mountain Living.

To make sure that your lake house interior is ready for winter, it’s crucial to maintain your heating systems. From stoves to chimney drafts, it may be a good idea to have a technician help inspect your heating systems so that you’ll be able to keep your place warm. Windows and doors are also a major culprit of letting the cold in, so it’s important to insulate your windows for the winter. Even small window cracks can make a big difference in the indoor temperature.

Lake house on a frozen lake
Photo courtesy of CabinLife.

Alex Berezowski, Owner and General Manager of The Foundation Experts Inc, a foundation repair and home waterproofing company, urges lake homeowners to not forget about insulating their pipes. He comments, “It’s fairly common for pipes to burst during the winter since there is water freezing inside of them if they’re not in use. The water expands, which increases the pressure on the pipes, resulting in a burst.” If your lake house is your second home, and you’re planning to be absent for a while during the winter, Berezowski suggests bleeding all water lines and drains before they freeze. If your lake house is older and pipes have never been replaced, he also recommends properly insulating them with pipe sleeves or electrical heating tape. Elsenbach also chimes in with advice on prepping pipes for the winter. Specifically, when it comes to pipes in your garage or around your house, he advises “putting Styrofoam covers on spigots and turning off water to the outside once the weather starts to turn cold.” And don’t forget to break off large icicles so you don’t experience a falling hazard.

Living in a cold lake region certainly has its benefits, like providing your own personal winter wonderland. You can build snowmen with the family, go skating, and go ice fishing all in your own backyard. Although these fun attributes come with certain challenges like ensuring proper heating and de-icing strategies, taking good care of your lake home is worth the trouble for all the joy you experience.

Don’t forget about your boat! Read “How to Winterize Your Boat for the Off Season” for more tips on preparing for the upcoming winter season.