Today I did something I never would have imagined or even attempted previously. I walked on the Hudson River on top of the ice. A co-worker was telling me about the ice boating near Athens, NY last winter. Since the weather was cold for several days I decided to venture up that way to see if I could catch this activity.
I stopped locals and asked where to see ice boaters. They pointed me north of town to the boat launch. There were several people on the ice and I reasoned if they can do it, it must be safe.
Many of the boats I saw are antique and still going strong. Some were built in the 1800s. The time period when ice boating, or ice yachting was in its heyday was 1880-1910, however there are stories prior to that time frame when it is documented that ice boats were used for work or pleasure. Franklin Delano Roosevelt raced an ice boat, mainly during his university days.
The weather today was ideal in some ways, but not in others. The sky was clear and it was bitter cold. This is great for ice. However, it snowed the previous day, and snow on top of ice does not appear to make good conditions for this activity. In addition, the wind was intermittent, not good for maintaining movement. When conditions are right these ice boats I am told can reach speeds of 100 miles per hour.
There are people who walked across the river. I saw a couple walk up the river between 1/2 mile and a mile north, but not too far from shore. I try to stay on the safe side.
Someone there said they are expecting temperatures above freezing during the day for a few days during the week, which may make for the creation or more ideal ice conditions, especially if the temperatures drop again after that and they don’t get more snow. It sounds like they only have a window of a few weeks to ice boat.
So if you want to see this, I would suggest stopping by Athens next weekend, or check out the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club website and seeing if they are on the ice. Sometimes if conditions are not good on the river they may take it to a lake. It may be cold, but seeing this rare winter sporting activity is worth it. Get out and enjoy the great outdoors.
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 
Ice Boating.// cool.
On Sunday, January 30, 2022, Sharon’s Iconic Travel Photography Blog wrote:
> sharonsiconictravelphotographyblog posted: ” Today I did something I > never would have imagined or even attempted previously. I walked on the > Hudson River on top of the ice. A co-worker was telling me about the ice > boating near Athens, NY last winter. Since the weather was cold for several > days I” >
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In Finland we do skating, skiing, fatbike, walking, even drive cars on the surface of frozen lakes, but I had never heard of boating. Thanks for sharing. 😃
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It’s got to be cold there to drive cars on ice. These days ice boating can only be done in a limited time frame based on conditions. They have had some years here where they could not do it because it was too warm that winter.
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Here ice can be easily 20 cm thick.
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I think they like the ice to be 2 feet thick for ice boating. I think I heard it or read it somewhere.
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I have no desire to stand around in cold wind. But that old boat is pretty neat. You might enjoy this post of mine from three years ago: Winter fun and flirtation in Scandinavia (1896).
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So cool! Same time period as these old boats!
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Wow… it must have been a wonderful experience!! Great pics!!
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This was a club event. Evidently they like taking people on rides. I’m sure it would be a blast.
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Wow. That sounds mesmerizing. I’ve never ever seen a frozen River.
From that Jodi Mitchel song “I wish I had a River” to skate on I figured that was a thing that happened in cold climates.
And now Ice boating. Wow. Tremendously creative. Thanks for sharing. xoxo
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There are lakes in other places that have clubs it appears. This was a club event I went to watch. There have been some years where it has been too warm to do this, but this year maybe things will line up as a good year for them. It was interesting to see.
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I’m wowed. Thanks. xoxo.
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That is so cool, I didn’t know ice boating existed!
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I have seen ice boats before. FDR’s ice boat I believe is in the museum in Hyde Park. Sometimes they bring it out for events I hear. I think the Maritime Museum in Kingston also has one. It was quite the thing in the 1800s and early 1900s.Back then rich people were involved, but average people would walk on the ice to watch. If they have it at Athens again it is a great little town on the river. They have some nice little restaurants. Here’s hoping the conditions will be good next weekend and into February for them. Sometimes they go to other places. Its best to check their website to se where they are.
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Very interesting! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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This looks like so much fun!
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It was fun to watch, even in the bitter cold.
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Interesting story and great photos.
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Thanks. It was interesting to see. I hope to see it again in more favourable conditions for them.
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