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Located in southern Siberia, Lake Baikal is the world's deepest lake as well as the oldest, dating back 25 million years ago according to UNESCO. Water clarity is such that during the winter transparency in open sections can be as much as 30–40 m (100–130 ft).
The surface of this large glacial lake in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park freezes for about four to five months; from early January to early May–June.
Located at Biei on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, the Blue Pond is a small man-made lake noted for its azure waters, colors that are especially vibrant in winter when the pond's surface is layered with ice.
The streams and waterfalls that in summer tumble over the sandstone caves on Wisconsin's Apostle Islands are frozen still during winter as Lake Superior hardens.
Grey Lake is a sparkling glacially-fed lake in Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park, in southern Chile. The waters are especially dazzling during the winter months.
Alaska's remote Mount Douglas located south of Kamishak Bay is in fact a stratovolcano. The crater lake crowning its summit never completely ices over due to the high acidity of the water. Nevertheless, it gets quite chilly at 2,140 m (7,021 ft).
Chicago's dramatic city skyline is often lent even greater emphasis during frigid Illinois winters when Lake Michigan is covered in ice.
Its proximity to California's Yosemite National Park makes Ellery Lake a popular summertime vacation destination. In winter, the lake's hardened mirror-like surface lends it more of an icy aesthetic appeal.
Belmeken is actually a dam set in the heart of Rila National Park. It's the highest reservoir on the Balkan peninsula, and as such temperatures plummet in winter to leave the lake's surface carpeted with a thin layer of ice.
Madison, Wisconsin's state capital, is surrounded on three sides by Lake Monona, leaving the city in its vice-like grip during the harsh winter months when the shoreline is frozen solid.
Morskie Oko means "Eye of the Sea" is English, but this lake in southern Poland is sunk deep within the Tatra National Park in the High Tatras mountain range.
Finland's vast Enanselkä lake is dissected by the Punkaharju Ridge Road that in winter appears as if floating on a sea of ice.
One of the five Great Lakes of North America, Lake Erie, situated on the International Boundary between Canada and the United States, was originally carved out by glacier ice as recently as 4,000 years ago. As the shallowest of the Great Lakes, it often freezes completely over. Pictured in winter is the historic Marblehead Lighthouse in northwest Ohio.
Often referred to as Lake Braies, this spectacular body of water in Italy's Dolomites lies at the foot of the imposing rock face of the Seekofel. Most of the hiking paths that flank the shoreline are closed during the winter.
Paterswoldse Meer near Groningen has been described as the best skating rink in the Netherlands, such is the quality of the ice covering the lake in winter.
A kite surfer takes to the ice shrouding Lake Ontario. Toronto provides a spectacular backdrop.
Solid ice surrounds Chaviolas Island on Lake Sils in Switzerland's Upper Engadine Valley. Chaviolas is the largest of several islands that dot the lake's surface.
Lake Reschen in the western portion of South Tyrol, Italy, is famous for the steeple of a submerged 14th-century church. When the water freezes, it's possible to walk out to the unusual landmark.
The imposing medieval castle of Trakai in Vilnius, Lithuania, appears under siege by ice after the freezing over of Lake Galvė.
When Lake Mälaren completely freezes over, Stockholm residents use the surface as a natural ice rink. The lake is pictured in early spring, as ice begins to crack.
Frozen Lake Shōji provides a stunning winter perspective against Mount Fuji as the sun rises over Japan's highest mountain.
Rarely visited Lake Sabalan in northwestern Iran serves as crater lake that tops out Sabalan, an inactive stratovolcano. The mountain is known for its beautiful vistas, including the Shirvan gorge, where few climbers ever venture.
One of the most photographed natural wonders in Patagonia, the Laguna de Los Tres Panorama in Los Glaciares National Park shares the spotlight with the imposing Fitz Roy Mountains, which straddle the Argentina-Chile border. The lake is pictured totally capped with ice.
The largest lake of the Ukrainian Carpathians, Synevyr Lake is pictured here sparkling under snow and ice. The lake is one of the jewels in the Synevyr National Nature Park.
Located in the Jura Mountains, Lac de Joux has long served as a year-round vacation destination. In winter, besides skiing and ice-skating, the lake's frozen surface provides a launch point for hot air balloon sightseeing flights.
Sources: (UNESCO) (BBC) (Smithsonian Magazine)
See also: Breathtaking balloon journeys from around the world
Three lakes form the Vermillion Lakes near Banff in Alberta. The main lake derived its name from the translation of "Onamuni," the Ojibwe name meaning "Lake of the Sunset Glow"— which the French translated to "Vermilion." The ethereal crimson glow is best appreciated during the frigid winter months.
The icy crust that forms over Portage Lake in the Chugach National Forest of Alaska attracts cross-country skiers and other winter sport enthusiasts. The lake is seen here from the western edge near the Begich Boggs Visitor Center, with Bard Peak in the distance.
Alberta's largest reservoir, Abraham Lake in the Canadian Rockies is known for the trapped methane that causes frozen bubbles to form under the ice during the winter months.
An Instagram favorite, Lake Louise in Alberta's Banff National Park takes on a totally different complexion mid-winter when the water freezes and snow blankets the entire region.
The world's lakes represent some of the most amazing natural wonders found on the planet. Blessed with year-round appeal, these magnificent bodies of water are especially mesmerizing in colder months, when frozen over and dusted with snow.
Click through and chill out admiring these lakes frozen in winter.
Amazing lakes frozen in winter
Icy bodies of water to admire
TRAVEL World
The world's lakes represent some of the most amazing natural wonders found on the planet. Blessed with year-round appeal, these magnificent bodies of water are especially mesmerizing in colder months, when frozen over and dusted with snow.
Click through and chill out admiring these lakes frozen in winter.