Winterswijk lives up to its name and welcomes the first skaters on natural ice

The ice rink in Winterswijk opened at 7:30 AM, but by 9:45 AM, it was closed due to insufficient ice strength. Unusually, it did not freeze overnight in Winterswijk, unlike other regions in the Netherlands. The rink employs a technique with insulation to maintain cold temperatures, allowing for ice formation even at slightly above freezing temperatures. The ice association noted low attendance, possibly due to unexpected early skating opportunities. Winterswijk has a history of being the first to offer natural ice skating in the fall.