Clearing snow from the ice in Noord-Holland. Photo Martijn Zwennes

Tens of thousands of skaters took part in organised skates around the country’s lakes and waterways on Friday as they rushed to make the most of the good weather.

Unlike on Thursday, none of the events had to be stopped because of overcrowding and damage to the ice.

On Saturday, light snow is forecast to fall over much of the country, which will lead to very slippery roads, motoring organisation VID said.

From Sunday, the thaw will set in, ending a period of frost which has lasted at least 12 days. It is only the sixth time since 1901 there has been such a long period of freezing weather, according to weather bureau Weerplaza.nl.

However, hopes of staging the 200 km 11-city race around Friesland were dashed by Monday’s snowfall.