Illinoistocht

Temperatures have been very cold in the midwest leading to possible conditions for a tour skate on the Hennepin Canal, but the snow cover puts a tour beyond reach for the moment.  If you have an ice report, be sure to send it.   

Simultaneous with the cold in the USA, there have been fairly cold temperatures (albeit with some snow) in Europe.  It looks like the Dutch will skate outdoors this weekend.   Check out these links... http://www.knsb.nl/natuurijs/ and the "skate maps" at http://www.schaatskaart.nl/ .  Interesting to note that the 12 skating "classics" haven't been held since either 1996 or 1997, so this is something to watch.  http://www.natuurijsklassiekers.nl/