1 / 9Lake Baikal: Siberia’s glassy ice-sea in winter | When winter grips southern Siberia, Baikal freezes into an immense, crystal-clear ice sheet where the frozen surface sometimes reveals the lakebed, a surreal, mirror-like expanse that draws adventurers worldwide. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
2 / 9Lake Louise: Canada’s alpine fairy-tale under ice | Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pine forests, the lake transforms into a pristine white rink each winter, perfect for ice skating, photography and serene walks on frozen water. (Image: Canva)
3 / 9Abraham Lake: Frozen bubbles under translucent ice | In winter, methane bubbles trapped under the ice create a surreal, speckled effect beneath a glassy surface, a hauntingly beautiful phenomenon that makes the lake one of the world’s most photogenic frozen spots. (Image: Canva)
4 / 9Jökulsárlón: Iceland’s glacier lagoon turned icy dreamscape | Icebergs drift and partly freeze over glacial waters, creating stark contrasts of blue ice and snow, a breathtaking setting for explorers seeking otherworldly scenery and winter solitude. (Image: Canva)
5 / 9Himalayan high-altitude lakes: Winter magic on India’s roof. | When winter hits the Himalayas, lakes such as Pangong Tso, Brahmatal or Suraj Tal freeze, turning into serene icy sheets framed by snow-clad peaks, a rare blend of rugged mountain beauty and wintry calm. (Image: Wikimdeia Commons)
6 / 9Lake Khövsgöl | Lake Khövsgöl in northern Mongolia freezes from roughly November to May, turning into a thick, blue-tinged ice sheet that hosts local winter festivals and ice games. Travellers can witness horse-sleigh races, ice sculptures and vast stretches of wild, crackling ice under snow-dusted mountains. (Image: Wikimdeia Commons)
7 / 9Hokkaido’s Blue Pond | Hokkaido’s Blue Pond turns icy in winter, yet still keeps its signature milky-turquoise hue that contrasts beautifully with snow-laden trees and bare trunks rising from the water. On still, frozen days, the scene looks like a minimalist winter painting come to life. (Image: Canva)
8 / 9Banjosa Lake: Pine-framed calm on frozen water | In winter, Banjosa Lake freezes over under a blanket of snow, locals and visitors walk or skate on its icy surface, surrounded by dense pine forests and mountain air, offering a peaceful escape into winter tranquillity. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
9 / 9Ellery Lake | High near Tioga Pass on the eastern edge of Yosemite, Ellery Lake sits above 9,000 feet and can freeze into a bright, reflective ice sheet in winter. Granite peaks and roadside viewpoints turn this small alpine lake into a striking, easily accessed frozen lookout when the snow comes in. (Image: Canva)
