Illinoistocht

Even if it doesn't get cold enough for the canals to freeze solid with ice thick enough to skate outdoors in the Netherlands, besides the occasional ice rink, there's a unique 5 km (3.1 mile) long outdoor ice "rink" that opened in 2007, Flevonice.  This year, the winter season is from November 14 through February 28 (although due to weather and equipment issues they just opened to the public on November 29).   Pretty amazing.   In the picture above, you can see how the track loops around a large area to make a 5 km loop.  Note the asphalt road next to the track for summer events (under the ice, the skating surface is sand).   Street lamps, spaced along the frozen pathway, allow for easy night skating.