This case study investigates the Dutch tradition of skating on natural ice (Schaatsen op natuurijs), recognized since 2017 on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands. It represents one of the country’s most iconic and socially unifying practices, with historical roots stretching back to the 16th century. Initially born out of necessity – as a means of winter travel over frozen canals and waterways – it has evolved into a cherished recreational and competitive activity, symbolizing collective endurance, freedom, and the unique Dutch relationship with water and climate.
Today, natural ice skating remains deeply embedded in Dutch society. It is supported by a vast and robust network of over 450 local ice clubs, coordinated nationally by the Royal Dutch Skating Federation (KNSB). These clubs are responsible for organizing tours, ensuring safety, maintaining ice tracks, and preserving local traditions. The most emblematic event is the Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour), a 200-kilometre skating marathon held across eleven towns in Friesland. Though not held since 1997, the tour retains immense cultural relevance and is perceived as a once-in-a-generation event. Entire communities continue to prepare for it annually, in hopeful anticipation of the right conditions.
However, climate change now poses an existential threat to this living heritage. Average winter temperatures in the Netherlands have increased by more than 2°C since 1901, with projections indicating further warming. Stable periods of sub-zero temperatures – required to ensure 15 cm of consistent ice thickness for mass events – have become increasingly rare. Freeze-thaw cycles, erratic precipitation, and milder winters have reduced both the frequency and reliability of natural ice formation, particularly in densely populated and low-lying regions. The likelihood of the Elfstedentocht taking place in any given year has declined significantly, with estimates suggesting a probability of less than 1% by 2050 under current climate trajectories.
Despite these challenges, the cultural relevance of natural ice skating has not diminished. It remains widely practiced – particularly during cold spells when canals and lakes freeze temporarily – and continues to be taught in schools and within families. It is valued not only for its recreational aspect, but also for its democratic accessibility, intergenerational character, and ability to transform familiar landscapes into shared, festive spaces. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, national authorities allowed limited skating activities on natural ice, recognizing their mental and social health benefits.
At the policy level, however, natural ice skating has not yet been fully integrated into broader climate adaptation strategies. Dutch national plans such as the Delta Programme and the Climate Adaptation Strategy focus primarily on water safety, drought, and heat management, leaving seasonal and cultural vulnerabilities under-addressed. Yet the Elfstedentocht and the decline of natural ice have become increasingly prominent in public discourse as indicators of climate change’s impact on national identity and intangible heritage.
Local ice clubs and national stakeholders have begun to implement various adaptive measures, such as constructing artificial rinks, developing hybrid skating tracks, and creating cold-weather contingency plans. Some enthusiasts even travel abroad to continue the tradition in colder climates. Nonetheless, such technological or geographic adaptations are often seen as incomplete substitutes: what is most valued is not simply skating, but the shared experience of skating on local, natural ice – a fleeting and unpredictable gift of nature that binds people and places together.
In conclusion, the tradition of skating on natural ice in the Netherlands exemplifies the intricate relationship between cultural heritage and climate. It illustrates how environmental change can endanger not only physical landscapes but also living practices, community rituals, and collective memory. Safeguarding such traditions requires more than technical fixes: it calls for policies that acknowledge cultural fragility, empower local communities, and support the adaptive transmission of heritage in ecologically shifting contexts.
