The 8 coolest artificial and natural ice rinks for families
Artificial ice rinks
Dolder artificial ice rink, Zurich: The mother of all Swiss artificial ice rinks, built in 1930, impresses with its easy accessibility - even getting there on the historic Dolderbahn is an experience - its idyllic location in the forest high above Zurich and an optimal infrastructure: on 6000 square metres there is plenty of space for free skating and a separate area for «Chneble», next to a restaurant with a view of the ice rink. Ice discos and other events provide variety.
Open until 12 March. www.doldersports.com
Margarethen artificial ice rink, Basel: sporting history was made on the «Kunschti» in 1939 when the Swiss national ice hockey team won the European Championship title in front of 16,000 spectators. The Basel counterpart to the Dolder is in no way inferior to its Zurich role model: A ten-minute walk from the train station is the ice rink in Margarethenpark, which is also around 6000 square metres in size and partly covered. There is a restaurant and an ice disco on three Saturdays.
Open until 26 February. www.jfs.bs.ch > Artificial ice rink Margarethen
Artificial ice rink Lenk BE: There is hardly a snow sports destination that does not also offer ice skating facilities. One of the most beautiful ice rinks at the foot of the mountain railways is the one in Lenk im Simmental. Surrounded by the breathtaking mountain panorama of the Bernese Oberland, you can swap your ski boots for ice skates, have fun on three ice rinks and an ice hockey rink and enjoy refreshments in the ice rink bistro. An ice disco is organised on the last weekend of the year.
Open until 5 March. www.lenk-simmental.ch > Experiences > Ice skating and hockey
Natural ice rinks
Lac de Joux VD: The colder the winter, the more lakes and ponds freeze over throughout the country to form natural ice rinks, most of which can be used free of charge. But be careful: always follow the official safety instructions and markings on site before entering! Lac de Joux in the Vaud Jura is a particularly enchanting ice rink and the largest in Switzerland at almost 10 square kilometres, which freezes over completely in most winters due to the local climate.
Usually open from around the end of January. www.myvalleedejoux.ch/de
Natural ice rink on Alp Raguta, Feldis GR: A frozen infinity pool at 1950 metres above sea level: on Alp Raguta above Feldis you can skate, shoot curling sticks and even play curling in an incomparably romantic location. The newly enlarged ice rink (44 × 20 metres) can be reached with the Feldis-Mutta chairlift, skates can be hired on site. The mountain hut serves simple meals at affordable prices.
Open until approx. mid-March (check the website, there may be changes at short notice depending on the weather). www.alpraguta.ch
Kulm Chesa al Parc, St. Moritz: No frozen surface is more glamorous and steeped in history than the natural ice rink at the Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz. Olympic figure skating competitions were held here in 1928 and 1948. And the Kulm Country Club, recently renovated by British star architect Norman Foster, is probably the chicest ice rink restaurant in the country.
Open from around mid-January to 1 April. www.engadin.ch/de > Sport > Ice rink > Al Parc St. Moritz
Schwarzsee, FR: Ice skating on the Schwarzsee is an unforgettable - and bumpy - experience. The natural ice rink is not quite as smooth as an artificial ice rink. However, you can easily recharge your batteries while admiring the view from the beautiful wooden walkways and several take-away restaurants.
Bring your own skates and to be on the safe side, call Schwarzsee Tourismus in advance to check whether the lake is officially open. www.fribourgregion.ch
Event ice rink
Bundesplatz artificial ice rink, Bern: «Schlöflä on the Bundesplatz» - despite global warming and the green wave in the Federal Palace, an artificial ice rink is once again open to the public free of charge this season. There is a colourful supporting programme with children's afternoons and skating courses and a tent restaurant.
Open until 12 February. www.kunsteisbahnbundesplatz.ch
