Does ice get stronger, the colder it is?
The colder ice is, the greater its bending strength and the more weight it can carry. The increased bending strength is due to the fact that bindings between the water molecules of the ice’s crystal lattice improve, whereas the links between individual ice crystals are also improved with lower temperatures.
However, ice strength also depends on several other factors. The thickness of the ice is vital for how many people the ice of a lake can carry, before it breaks. Elements inside the ice also play a role. Sea ice often includes tiny pockets of concentrated salt water that make it weaker than fresh water ice of the same thickness and temperature.