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Tour skating (often confused with Nordic-skating or trip skating), which is ice skating on canals, lakeice or manmade ice-tracks. Tour skating is very popular in The Netherlands though the climate limits the availability of natural ice. The Netherlands is also the home of Elfstedentocht, a 200 km distance skating race. Long distance races for the marathon- and tourskaters are also organized annually in the Nordic countries, such as Vikingarännet in Sweden.

Equipment

Tour skates consist of a circa 50cm long blade. The blades are steadily attached to the skatingshoes and in the new models, the blades can be also removed. Poles are not used.

Season

In late autumn/early winter the small lakes freeze first, sometimes as early as October. If snow falls these lakes can become unskateable. Next the somewhat larger lakes freeze and become skateable. Manmade skate tracks offer tourskaters suitable tracks usually from January till March.

Safety

Skate tracks on natural ice are taken care by the towns and communities, which take care of the safety of the tracks. Safety matters should be always taken seriously when skating on the natural ice.

More info of Tour skating in Finland

[1]
[2]

Info about Nordic skating and Associations

Sweden's largest tour skating association is The Stockholm Ice Skate Sailing and Touring Club. Finland's largest tour skating association is Finland's Tour Skaters

There is a list of tour skating clubs in Sweden, Finland and Netherlands at Skridsko Net

External links in English

Photo Albums of Tour Skating

(Captions are in Swedish)

Videos of Tour Skating

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 [[Image:Langfardsskridskoakning.jpg|thumb|150px|Tour skating in Sweden]]
-'''Tour skating''' (sometimes known as [[Nordic-skating]] or trip skating) is a recreational form of [[ice skating]] on natural ice. It is a popular winter activity in [[Sweden]], [[Finland]] and [[Norway]] where the skating season can last up to 5-6 months in some areas. Tour skating is also popular in [[The Netherlands]] though the climate limits the availability of natural ice. The Netherlands is also the home of [[Elfstedentocht]], a 200 km distance skating race. Long distance races are also organized annually in the Nordic countries, such as [[Vikingarännet]] in Sweden.
+'''Tour skating''' (often confused with [[Nordic-skating]] or trip skating), which is [[ice skating]] on canals, lakeice or manmade ice-tracks.                                          Tour skating is very popular in [[The Netherlands]] though the climate limits the availability of natural ice. The Netherlands is also the home of [[Elfstedentocht]], a 200 km distance skating race. Long distance races for the marathon- and tourskaters are also organized annually in the Nordic countries, such as [[Vikingarännet]] in Sweden.
 == Equipment ==
 [[Image:Tour_skate_ice1.jpg|thumb|150px|Touring skate on ice]]
-Tour skates consist of a circa 50cm long blade. They are attached, with bindings, to specialized boots (similar to walking boots) or cross country skiing boots - often with a free heel. Cross country skiing poles can also be used. In addition the following safety equipment is often recommended:
+Tour skates consist of a circa 50cm long blade. The blades are steadily attached to the skatingshoes and in the new models, the blades can be also removed. Poles are not used.
-[[Image:Ice_Picks_20070128_001.jpg|thumb|150px|Ice claws]]
-* ''ice prods'' or ''ice claws'' - a pair of metal spikes with handles (like sharpened screwdrivers) for hauling yourself out of holes in the ice
-* ''ice pike'' or ''hansa pole'' - a pole with a metal spike (like a particularly sturdy ski pole) used to test the ice thickness
-* ''throwing line'' - a rope to be pulled out of the water by
-* ''rucksack'' with waistband and groin strap, containing change clothes in plastic bags. This also acts as a buoyancy aid.
-Knee and elbow pads and a helmet are also commonly used.
 == Season ==
-In late autumn/early winter the small lakes freeze first, sometimes as early as October. If snow falls these lakes can become unskateable.  Next the somewhat larger lakes freeze and become skateable.
+In late autumn/early winter the small lakes freeze first, sometimes as early as October. If snow falls these lakes can become unskateable.  Next the somewhat larger lakes freeze and become skateable. Manmade skate tracks offer tourskaters suitable tracks usually from January till March.
+== Safety ==
-In January-February parts of the archipelago in the Baltic sea often freeze.  This is the time when long skating tours can be undertaken. Tours of 60-80 km in one day are not uncommon - some skate over 150 km.
+Skate tracks on natural ice are taken care by the towns and communities, which take care of the safety of the tracks.
+Safety matters should be always taken seriously when skating on the natural ice.
+==More info of Tour skating in Finland==
-== Safety ==
+*[http://www.luisteluliitto.fi/matka-ja_retkiluistelu]
-Tours should never be undertaken alone.  An experienced skater with good knowledge of natural ice should always be present.
+*[http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matka-_ja_kuntoluistelu]
+==Info about Nordic skating and Associations==
-If skateable ice is found in April (which is common in Sweden and Finland), it is advisable to skate in the morning only. If the night has been clear and cold the ice can be quite safe in the morning but deadly in the afternoon.
-== Associations ==
 Sweden's largest tour skating association is [http://www.sssk.se/english/index.htm The Stockholm Ice Skate Sailing and Touring Club].  Finland's largest tour skating association is [http://www.skrinnari.fi/ Finland's Tour Skaters]