You’ve been on ice skates, but have you been on Nordic skates? Nordic skates allow you to skate at a wildly fast pace, over natural ice on lakes like Lake Willoughby in the Northeast Kingdom. To get a sense of the action, check out this slideshow of photos by Vyto Starinskas.

Traditional ice skates have the blade bolted to the boot, but Nordic skating uses a separate boot that clips into bindings mounted on a blade. The boots and binding are the same employed for most Nordic skiing and roller skiing. You can also walk in the boots, and you are saved the sit-down, lace-up, freeze-fingers routine of traditional skates.

It’s important to note that thin ice is dangerous. Check conditions and carry safety equipment. Your best bet is to start on a machine-groomed lake.

Lessons and gear rentals are available at Lake Morey in Fairlee. Call (866) 244-2570 or visit www.nordicskater.com.

Once you’re comfortable on a groomed surface, try an outing on natural ice. Popular places in Vermont are Lake Willoughby and Lake Champlain. New skater Brian Costello of Colchester is hooked on the sport. “The perfect day starts with the ice — a rare combination of weather cre­ates an ice sheet on the lake that goes for miles and miles, like a sheet of glass ... you can go far with very little effort.”

For more, see the winter issue of Vermont Life Magazine.