Ice Skating / Ice Hockey (Lac Noir Schwarzsee)

Schwarzsee, or Lac Noir in French, lies in the Fribourg Pre-Alps at about 1,050 metres, in a bowl of meadows and forest beneath the long ridge of the Kaiseregg. The name means black lake, and the dark colour of the water, set against the surrounding green slopes, explains the choice. It is a small lake, popular with walkers in summer, and the area belongs to a landscape of gentle summits and pastures near the Gantrisch region, close to the border with the canton of Bern.

In winter the lake can freeze over, and when the ice is thick enough, it turns into a natural skating rink in an alpine setting. Skating on a frozen lake is a different experience from a rink: the surface is wide and open, there are no boards or lines, and the air is sharp and clear. Families glide across the ice, children try their first steps with skates, and informal games of hockey can break out when conditions allow. Sounds of blades on the ice and the sight of skaters against a snowy backdrop make the scene a classic image of winter in the Alps.

Safety is the main condition. Natural ice depends on temperatures, snowfall and wind, and it is not safe in every winter or in every part of the lake. Skating is only advisable when local authorities or the tourist office say that the ice is thick enough, and visitors should keep to the marked areas, avoid places near inflows and follow warning signs. If the ice is not open, the lake still offers a pleasant walk on the shore. Skates can usually be rented in the village in season, and rental shops can tell you about current conditions.

The resort around the lake offers more winter activities. Snowshoe and winter walking routes cross the meadows, a small ski area with lifts operates on the slopes above the lake, and sledging is popular with families. A cable car climbs toward the ridge and gives views of the peaks. The village has restaurants and cafés where visitors can warm up after time on the ice.

In summer the same lake is a place for strolling, picnics and short hikes, with a path that circles the water. Wherever you come from in western Switzerland, Schwarzsee is an easy day trip by bus or car, and an authentic winter outing.