Ice Skating Season Begins in the Netherlands
December 8, 2009 | Krista Stryker
Ice Skating in the Netherlands
It may still be 50 degrees and raining outside in Amsterdam, but that doesn’t mean the Dutch haven’t started to lace up their skates for the start of this winter’s ice skating season.
Winters in Amsterdam used to get frosty and frigid, and Hollanders would flock to the canals by the hundreds to take advantage of the frozen waters. But in the past few decades, milder weather has meant significantly less cold days for ice lovers (global warming, anyone?). In fact, last winter was the first year in over ten years that the temperatures stayed cold enough for the canals outside of the city to freeze. As a result, manmade skating rinks have popped up all over Amsterdam and are a favorite winter pastime.
Ice Skating at the Artis Zoo
The Artis has always been a pretty happening zoo, but this winter its coolness factor is going over the top with the addition of an ice rink right in the middle of everything. Ice skating, animals, and booze? I may be an animal lover, but to me this sounds like the perfect day.
So make a day out of it – check out the animals for a bit (you’ll laugh at their selection of animals… there’s even a raccoon, an overpopulated nuisance where I’m from in the Pacific Northwest!), then head over to the rink and skate the day away. If you get cold, there’s a wonderful historic indoor aquarium that will entertain you and serve as a great place to warm up your freezing hands and feet.
The only downside of the day is that it will cost you €17.50, the same amount it costs to get in the zoo. To make it worthwhile, pack a picnic to avoid the slightly overpriced food, and take advantage of all the zoo has to offer.
Skating at the Leidseplein
As one of the top tourist destinations in the city, the Leidseplein is always buzzing with people and entertainment, and its annual ice skating rink only adds to the fun. Any student traveler can easily spend hours and hours here, taking a break between skating and sitting at one of the area’s many cafes with a coffee or a glasje of beer.
The skating rink is free of charge, though you will have to shell out a few euros for ice skates (assuming you didn’t lug your own skates all around Europe).
Skating at the Museumplein
The pond behind the Rijksmuseum will once again be turned into a skating rink this year, so get ready to brave hoards of Dutch children and have some fun on the ice. The rink is one of the more popular ones in the city, but if you go on a weekday you shouldn’t run into too many crowds.
The rink is open from 10am – 8pm, and is festively lit in the evenings.
Check out the iAmsterdam website for a full listing of this year’s ice skating spots.
Artis Zoo, Plantage Kerklaan 38-40. 1018 CZ Amsterdam. Open 9am – 5pm December 12th – March 14th.
Skating Rink Leidseplein, 1017 Amsterdam. Open November 6th – January 10th.
Skating Rink Museumplein, 1071 Amsterdam. Open 10am – 8pm December 18th – February 28th.
