Champlain Thurs Feb 26 2026

[JoAnn Berns]

Conditions were much as Evan described in his report here two days ago, and our tracks very similar to his but without going to NY due to diminishing daylight.

First outing was from Starr Farm Dog Park and required one mile of skiing, snowshoeing or walking w microspikes (the latter more effort in 2-12" deep snow) to get from the parking area to skateable ice. We found areas of just okay surface, great surface w wonderful smooth lanes, narrow leads, very broad leads, all of it snow (gray) ice with the exception of several gorgeous new 3" black ice pools, a couple maybe half the size of regulation hockey rinks.  

Some fancy footwork got us as far as the Colchester Reef weather station at which point there were no more skateable lanes.  We could have headed towards shore where we could see another lead but that would have required crossing more snow & one skater was ready to turn back.  Returning south, we noticed two skaters on a parallel lead much closer to shore, skating at the same speed so we knew they had to be on very good ice also.  When their lead ended , they turned back while we continued our return.  

We encountered some unnerving underthinning very difficult to see, one skater noticed the plate dipping as another skated onto it, a quick shout preventing a potential dunking.  Shortly after, a quick change in pitch and hollow sensation underfoot revealed another thin spot. Both occurred in an area with multiple transitions between recently open water, newer and older ice plates. Otherwise, we enjoyed many miles of very stable ice.  All in all, an enjoyable exploration and outing.

Two skaters continued on for a 2nd tour, driving to the Colchester Causeway & trekking (1.2 mi) to skateable ice.  There was much more and better ice from this access.  Again, many surfaces, fairly easy to find smooth lanes following edges of leads where they met snow, more & larger pools of 3" new black nice, with one just south of Stave Island offering spectacular bottom viewing.  This new ice connects to an open water area requiring caution as there is very hard to detect underthinning to the south of it leading to one wet foot.  Crossing  the new ice north of the open water, there is more skating to be had following leads to get close to the NY shore.  

On the whole, hazards were few and far between during these 26 miles.  Saw fox or coyote twice from a distance, beautiful ice features, island cliffs, etc, many miles of great skating on very solid ice for those with an adventurous & exploratory orientation as well as all the recommended safety equipment.

Image with the two tracks attached.  If willing to walk or maybe pole through some snow, you can see how they may be connected.

Happy skating, 

Jo