You might not immediately think of it, but the Wadden Island of Ameland is an excellent area where you can enjoy winter sports. You don’t have to fly for it and yet you can get away from it all in the winter. When there is snow and ice, it is a wonderful area for winter walks, ice skating and even cross-country skiing through the dunes. Without snow, it is a wonderful area for fresh winter walks with a hot chocolate and whipped cream for dessert in a village pub. Ameland in winter is an oasis of peace and winter fun. Source: Ameland Press Agency
Winter sports on the Wadden Island
Ameland has a mild climate, but the winters can be quite harsh. When the sea water has cooled down, it can become cold and wintery on the Wadden Islands. Once there is snow, the island is like in a fairy tale. Snow-covered dunes and forests, a white beach and snow-covered roofs of houses and farms complete the picture. When the roads become quieter because the cars remain in the garage, it is an oasis of peace and winter fun.
Walking in winter on Ameland
First of all, a wintry and snowy island is a wonderful area for walking. The winter sounds are a relief and have a soothing effect. In the winter sun you will get color on your cheeks and get much-needed vitamins to get through the winter blues.
Sledging
For the youth it is the time of sledding. Riding from the highest dunes is popular. Groups of children go to Engelsmanduun or Kaapsduun to slide down the highest dune. For older youth, sledding behind a tractor is popular. A string of sleds tied together slides through the streets behind the tractor. There are even special friends sledding clubs on the island.
Horse-drawn sleighs
As soon as there is enough snow on the roads, the first bells of sleighs can be heard. The municipality takes this sport into account as much as possible with its spreading policy. If there is snow for long enough, the Horse-drawn Sleigh Committee organizes a horse-drawn sleigh competition, which traditionally takes place at the airfield near Ballum.
To skate
All villages have their own ice rink and ice club. As soon as frost arrives, the ice clubs prepare the ice rinks. To make trips, you can skate from village to village via the dike ditch. Skating on the reed bed in the dunes near Hollum is also popular. If enough reeds have been cut away before frost sets in, this is a beautiful course in the middle of nature.
Kaapsduun / Source: Petra de JongSource: Petra de JongSource: Ameland Press Agency
Cross-country skiing
When there is sufficient snowfall, enthusiasts set up cross-country skiing routes and some companies have cross-country skis for rent. It is an unDutch experience on the island without mountains, but with height differences through the dune landscape.
Snowkite
A spectacular winter sport is snowkiting. When the conditions are right, Amelander kiters go to meadows where kiting can be practiced. The result is spectacular jumps and somersaults in a snowy landscape. It is the surf kiters who exchange the water for the snow in the winter.
Herbal Ice / Source: Theo Kiewiet
Winter mudflat walk
A special experience is seeing the ice on the Wadden Sea. If the ice starts to break after a long period of frost, ice floes several meters high can form. Cruising ice is ice that is moved by strong winds and currents. The ice floes slide on top of each other and create enormous ice masses. A Wadden Sea with ice is a very special observation and completely different from the Wadden Sea under summer conditions.
Nice reading
A winter stay on Ameland becomes extra pleasant with a nice book on your lap. There is a library on the island with two branches, one in Hollum and one in Nes. Islanders can simply become a member of the library and there is a special holiday subscription for people who stay on the island for a short time.
Seals
Gray seal pups shed in winter. They sometimes go to the island for this purpose. In about two to three weeks they lose their fluffy coat. During this molting period they lie on dry land, on sandbanks in the Wadden Sea or on the beach of the islands. It is a beautiful sight, but keep your distance and leave the seal alone.
Isolation
The ferry to the island is strong enough to plow through an icy Waden Sea. If the ice becomes thick and strong, an icebreaker will be deployed to ensure accessibility to the island. Complete isolation from the mainland is a thing of the past. Those harsh conditions with air bridges no longer occur, but if they do happen, the scripts are ready.
Christmas tree crafts and more
Various activities are organized during the Christmas holidays, such as the Christmas tree throwing and the New Year’s dive.
Winter sports on Anmeland
Legend
A . Winter mudflat walk with drifting ice
B . Horse-drawn sleigh race
C . Snowkiting
D . Sledding from
dune E. Ice rink Nes
F . Sledding from
dune G. Ice rink Ballum
H . Ice rink Hollum
I . Rietplak
J . Moulting seals
K . Dieksloat
L . Cross-country skiing
M . Hot chocolate
N . Hot chocolate
O . Hot chocolate
P . Hot chocolate
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- Christmas tree throwing – Championship on Ameland