Nordic skating on a 4.5-mile trail on a frozen Vermont lake

FAIRLEE, Vt. (AP) — Ice skating on Vermont's Lake Morey is far more than circling around a makeshift rink. It's an expedition — a 4.5-mile one, around the frozen lake's perimeter.

It's said to be the longest Nordic skating trail in the United States, offering wintertime entertainment and exercise through a sport that originated in Europe and is popular in Scandinavia.

Nordic skates have cross-country ski-like boots with long blades that attach to the bottom. They're designed to handle ungroomed ice, like frozen lakes, rivers and canals, and they take some getting used to.

Lake Morey Resort, located in Fairlee near the New Hampshire border, provides the special Nordic skates to overnight guests and rents them out on weekends to visitors.