As the weather is getting decidedly warmer, it seems more and more likely that we won’t get to use our sleds and ice skates in the next few months. But before we say goodbye to subzero temperatures for good, we have to acknowledge the fact that the drone video fever of recent years has finally captured the Balaton region as well: cameras mounted on drones are no longer the privilege of secret agents, they have also become indispensible accessories at weddings and scenic hikes. We selected a few of our favorites from all the videos posted this year.

Flying Camera: Frozen Balaton

Back in mid-January, the Fonyód-based team of Flying Camera made a drone video of the thin layer of ice covering the lake. The short clip begins with a shot of rippling water in the middle of Balaton, and continues with the camera panning across the horizon toward the glistening ice by the shore. In the grand finale, you can see the obligatory stunning sunset.

Frozen Balaton from Flying Camera on Vimeo.

Wenita Press: Balaton under ice

Shot in Balatonszemes, the video of Wenita Press already has around 108,000 views. In addition to the crystal clear ice, the marina and the pier also make an appearance, bathing elegantly in all the hues of gold. The sunset is a must, as is the silhouette of the undulating north shore, which would make the perfect postcard shot from any angle.

Wenita Press: Siófok Pier locked in ice

The team has posted another video featuring the Pier of Siófok and the surrounding landscape, which doesn't seem to be as popular as the other one, but we think it’s also worth checking out, not only because of the sunset and the ice, but also because you can hardly ever see the pier from such a massive height.

Drone & Media Films: Ferry still running between Tihany and Szántód despite ice!

January brought long periods of frost and snow, and transformed Balaton into a wintry scene James Cameron would have loved to work with when he was shooting Titanic. The Drone & Media Films team has also discovered the unique opportunity, and shot a two and a half-minute video of the ferry running between Tihany and Szántód. It would have looked even cooler if the weather had been a bit icier, but we can’t say it’s not impressive as it is.

Pepe Movies: Winter in Balatonfüredi on the shore – 2016

The video clip of Pepe Movies focuses on winter on the shore of Balatonfüred, as well as the masses of illegal skaters that usually appear this time of year. It all starts with tiny Lego figures going round and round on the turquoise, clear ice, and toward the end you can see the lake under a blanket of snow and even a skating pro yeti chasing the camera.

Shine Art Studio: The stupa of Zalaszántó

Located about 20 kilometers from the shore of Lake Balaton, the stupa of Zalaszántó is one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in Europe – it was built in 1990 by a Korean monk, who wanted to bring peace and happiness to the country after the change of regime. The drone video of Shine Art Studio reveals that Nirvana can be just as serene amid a winter wonderland as in the summertime.

Norbert Mészáros: Sümeg Castle - covered in snow 2016

Offering sweeping vistas of the surrounding Balaton Uplands, Sümeg Castle looks wonderful and mighty as it is perched upon its very own hill towering above the adjacent village. One fine afternoon Norbert Mészáros decided that instead of a long trek up the hill he would shoot a three-minute video to show what the snow-covered edifice looks like from above. A must-see for those who haven’t yet flown over a medieval castle in winter.