The most impressive ice rinks in the world

The other day a new ice rink was opened in St. Petersburg, which is also the largest in the northern capital. We decided to see where else there are ice rinks that impress tourists and locals with their size, and we present a selection of the eleven largest ice rinks in Europe.

(Total 11 photos)

1. Perhaps the largest winter ice rink in the world can be called the mountain lake Joux (Lac de Joux) in Switzerland: its area is almost 5,000,000 sq.m. Tourists from all over Yevprova come to this place to skate. The lake is not only beautiful, but also “exclusive” in a sense: it freezes for only two weeks a year. Therefore, the most sophisticated skaters are looking forward to these days with some impatience. In the high season, figure skating competitions and ice carnival evenings are held on Lake Zhu.

2. Lake Paterswoldsemer, located to the southwest of the Dutch city of Groningen, is almost twice inferior to the leader - its area is 2,700,000 sq.m. Paterswoldsemer is part of the Groningen-Drenthe lakes. In the warm season, lovers of walks on light ships rush here, and in winter the place turns into a huge ice rink. This lake is not only one of the largest in terms of area, but is also the longest ice rink, stretching for as much as 10 km. Its water surface is covered with a strong crust of ice in winter, which lasts until the beginning of spring, allowing thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to ski every day.

3. The third place in our ranking of the largest ice rinks in the world is occupied by the Rideau Canal in Canada with an area of 1,620,000 sq.m. The canal stretches through almost the entire center of Ottawa, the capital of Canada, and it is worth noting that in winter, local residents here practically do not take off their skates, quickly getting to anywhere in the city center using this eco-friendly type of “transport”. In Ottawa, for skate fans, the city authorities even came up with road signs: green - go ahead, red - too warm, the ice has lost its strength!

In this case, not only the ice rink is impressive, but also the work of the local Canadian administration.

4. In fourth place is the Mexican capital with its ice rink, located in the center of Mexico City. The area of the skating rink reaches 32,000 sq.m, and has artificial surface. The ice rink in Mexico City is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest artificial ice rink in the world. In order for the ice rink to exist for a long time, 74 km were laid under the ice. pipes that are connected to special devices that maintain the required temperature.

5. Next on the list of the largest ice arenas is a domestic participant - the skating rink in the park to them. Gorky. The size of the rink is 18,000 sq. meters. There are 4 sectors: dance, children's, basic and hockey. A long wooden bridge runs along the paths filled with ice.

6. A brand new skating rink in the Specific Park of St. Petersburg is still in test mode. The area of this largest skating rink in the city is about 4000 square meters. Photo: Egor Tsvetkov

7. "The main ice rink of Russia" in 7th place on our list - Red Square in Moscow for 6 winters in a row becomes an ice rink for Muscovites and guests of the capital. The open GUM skating rink occupies a tenth of Red Square, and on its territory of 2,700 square meters, not only vacationers have fun (capacity -450 people), but also hockey matches and demonstration performances of figure skaters are organized. A fabulous wooden town has been erected near the ice rink, from where you can watch the skaters.

8. Almost the same area (2600 sq.m) is available in New York: Wollman Rink is spacious, beautiful, but most importantly, it has become a legend thanks to its participation in numerous romantic scenes in Hollywood films. In reality, the skating rink is as beautiful as in the movies, and what's nice - you can skate here around the clock - a great place for leisure for all kinds of romantics. By the way, the skating rink is already 64 years old - for the first time skaters took to its ice back in 1950! A nice bonus of a winter holiday at the skating rink is the opportunity to run into a movie star - they say Jim Carrey, Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman are very fond of Wollman Rink.

9. The City Hall of Paris every year pleases the citizens by installing a skating rink right next to its walls: everyone is happy to skate in the arena with an area of 1635 square meters. m.

10. Seefeld, Austria

This quiet Tyrolean village rivals the best international ski resorts. There are all conditions for winter sports, especially skiing. However, those who still have strength left after skiing are invited to the skating rink, open from December to March in the Zillertal valley with an area of 1,500 sq.m.

11. And, finally, the arena closes our hit parade of the most “grand” ice rinks in the world, although not the largest (only 200 sq.m), but certainly the most spectacular and romantic, because it is located in the heart of Paris, on the Eiffel Tower, at a height 57 meters. The 200 m² skating rink also offers visitors a stunning panorama of Paris. Ice skating is great fun, and French music and original lighting effects keep the atmosphere alive at this place. To keep warm in this realm of metal and ice, there is a bar where you can buy hot coffee, hot wine and other drinks. The ice premiere took place back in 1969, but the ice is not filled every year, and the skating rink is open only until January 31. The Eiffel Tower skating rink is also one of the five most visited Christmas skating rinks in the world. Ice rinks are also in great demand among tourists in Vienna near the City Hall, on Museum Square in Amsterdam and in London near the Natural History Museum.