MAINE PUBLIC • January 14, 2025
Maine hasn't seen a lot of snow yet this year, a disappointment for skiers and snowmobilers. But a stretch of sunny, frigid days earlier this month created an abundance of clear, smooth ice on lakes, ponds, and even some rivers, a rare treat for outdoor skating enthusiasts. Black ice means a safe, smooth, mirror-like surface unblemished by snow, rain or thaw. For wild ice chasers, it's the undisputed holy grail. Frank Whittier said, "We're truly cherishing this moment, but our lakes are not freezing as much in the winter." That means when the ice is in, there's no time to waste.