Last Friday, the police announced that the ice on Lake Velence and the southern shore of Lake Balaton was now thick enough for skating. Over the weekend, winter sports enthusiasts flocked to the shores of the lakes in the western part of the country.

As reported by Hungary Today, by the second half of last week, the ice on Lake Balaton and Lake Velence had finally become thick enough for skating.

People on the frozen ice of Lake Velence near Gárdony. Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás

Although it is still forbidden to step onto the ice on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, skating is allowed on the southern shore, where the ice has reached a thickness of 12-15 centimeters.

However, thanks to the dry, cold air flowing into the Carpathian Basin, it is quite possible that the northern shore will soon be open to skaters as well.

Frozen Lake Velence near Gárdony. Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás

Although no specific official locations have been designated, according to the webcams of Időkép.hu, plenty of people are skating in

• Zamárdi,
• Balatonlelle near Napfény beach,
• Balatonszemes,
• Fonyód at Panoráma beach,
• Csopak,
• Balatonmáriafürdő,
• and Siófok.

The frozen Lake Balaton near Zamárdi. Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás

“By now, the ice on several lakes has become suitable for winter sports, but you can only go on the ice in marked areas,” emphasized the task force set up for the cold and snowy conditions on Monday, adding that it is not advisable to skate alone.

People on the frozen ice of Lake Balaton near Zamárdi. Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás

The frozen Lake Balaton near Zamárdi. Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás

If you hear cracking, immediately lie down on the ice and try to slide toward the shore, they said in a statement. The larger the surface area of your body on the ice, the less likely it is to break. If the ice breaks, try to lie on your stomach on the water and swim breaststroke to the ice near the shore. If someone falls under the ice, they have a chance of survival if they look up and find the hole in the ice where they fell through based on the light. If you see such a situation, call the emergency number 112 immediately.

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Via Idokep.hu, MTI; Featured image: MTI/Vasvári Tamás