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Lake Michigan, USA -

Chicago's dramatic city skyline is often lent even greater emphasis during frigid Illinois winters when Lake Michigan is covered in ice.

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Synevyr Lake, Ukraine -

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.

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Jökulsárlón, Iceland -

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.

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Abraham Lake, Canada -

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.

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Lake Baikal, Russia -

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).

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Blue Pond, Japan -

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.

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Morskie Oko, Poland -

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.

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Vermilion Lakes, Canada -

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.

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Belmeken Lake, Bulgaria -

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.

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Lake Shōji, Japan -

Frozen Lake Shōji provides a stunning winter perspective against Mount Fuji as the sun rises over Japan's highest mountain.

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Lake Superior, USA -

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.

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Lake Sils, Switzerland -

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.

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Laguna de Los Tres Panorama, Argentina-Chile -

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.

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Lake Reschen, Italy -

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.

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Lake Louise, Canada -

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.

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Ellery Lake, USA -

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.

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Lake Galvė, Lithuania -

The imposing medieval castle of Trakai in Vilnius, Lithuania, appears under siege by ice after the freezing over of Lake Galvė.

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Lake Enanselkä, Finland -

Finland's vast Enanselkä lake is dissected by the Punkaharju Ridge Road that in winter appears as if floating on a sea of ice.

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Lake Monona, USA -

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.

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Lake Prags, Italy -

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.

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Lake Erie, USA -

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.

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Paterswoldse Meer, Netherlands -

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.

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Lake Ontario, Canada -

A kite surfer takes to the ice shrouding Lake Ontario. Toronto provides a spectacular backdrop.

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Grey Lake, Chile -

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.

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Mount Douglas, USA -

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).

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Lake Mälaren, Sweden -

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.

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Lake Sabalan, Iran -

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.

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Portage Lake, USA -

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.

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Lac de Joux, Switzerland -

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

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