And ... have your skates sharpened really sharp! The black ice on ponds is really hard and really strong. A half inch is plenty strong. (If you fall, it may give an inch, but it won't break.) Drawback to those sharp skates? You will be tripping over the blades if you take them to your usual hockey rink with the 40 degree air over the ice.

I grew up next to a pond. Loved getting on the black ice. It only stayed black until the first warm day, then it was the usual grey. but while it lasted, it was magic to skate on. Not as good for hockey, You spent a lot of time chasing down pucks that would travel forever.

Ben