As summer gives way to fall, and fall to winter, the activities taking place on Lake Windermere shifts from paddleboards and kayaks to ice skates and fishing shacks.

With the proper preparation and knowledge, recreating on a frozen lake can be a safe and enjoyable experience, the District of Invermere observed on social media.

It also provided some tips to lake/ice safety:

• At this time we recommend staying off the ice. Your safety is our concern, but it is your responsibility – use ice surfaces at your own risk!
• Please follow Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club all winter long for updates on ice and trail conditions! They will notify you from their Facebook page when the Whiteway and Lake Lillian are thick enough to play on!
• If you do venture out onto the ice, it is important that you have the knowledge of when it is it safe to walk on a frozen lake, how to check the thickness of the ice and what do if you fall through the ice on a frozen lake.
• There are many ways to check how thick the ice is. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Never assume the ice is thick enough to be safe, even if you see other people out on the lake or pond. It is also important to check the ice in several locations, as the thickness may not be uniform across a body of water.
• No ice is completely safe ice. Even if you are checking the thickness of the ice and think it is safe, it is still possible that you will come across an area of weak ice and fall through.

It is important to be prepared on how to self-rescue so you can survive if you fall through the ice.

Stay safe!

e-KNOW file photo

District of Invermere

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