How the largest skating rink in the world works. The largest ice skating rinks in the world The largest ice skating rink in the world
With the onset of cold weather, almost all world capitals are immersed in an atmosphere of winter magic, giving their squares and streets to ice arenas. Moreover, ice skating is one of the most popular and, perhaps, the most exciting winter activities.
Of course there are many indoor skating rinks working all year round. But it’s much more interesting to ride outdoors, on frozen rivers or canals.
Airlife presents 18 of the most famous skating rinks in the world.
- New York, USA
- National natural Park Yosemite, California, USA.
- Seefeld, Austria
- Vienna, Austria
- Weissensee, Austria
- Paris, France
- Kinderdijk, Holland
- Toronto, Canada
- Banff Lake Louise Resort, Canada
- Ottawa, Canada
- London, Great Britain
- Lake Joux, Switzerland
- Medeo, Kazakhstan
- Berlin, Germany
- Brussels, Belgium
Go ice skating in Central Park , surrounded by picturesque trees and skyscrapers of Manhattan, is one of the most popular activities of citizens and guests of New York. It was poured for the first time in 1949, and to this day it is filled year after year. If you've never been to New York, you might have seen it in the movies. It is on this skating rink that the heroes of almost all films set in winter New York spin.
Skating rink in Rockefeller Center- one of the main symbols of the city, especially popular during the holiday seasons, from November to January. The expensive tickets to this skating rink are worth it.
This one is open ice rink V Yosemite park is not only one of the largest, but also one of the most beautiful in the world, with the towering silhouette of the granite Half Dome Mountain in the background. It is worth noting that the tradition of organizing ice skating in this park dates back to 1928. It was then that the employees natural park For the first time, they decided to flood an abandoned car park with water.
Quiet Tyrolean village can compete with the best international ski resorts. All conditions for winter sports have been created here, first of all, alpine skiing. However, those who still have strength left after skiing are invited to the skating rink, open from December to March in Ziller Valley.
“Ice Dream” fully lives up to its name: here you can not only skate to music (from waltzes to jazz and disco), but also race at speed (415 meters of tracks) and even play curling on one of the six courts. And all this against the backdrop of the magnificent City Hall building. And don't forget about Viennese delicacies and mulled wine!
Initially, it is worth noting that Weissensee is one of the cleanest and deepest lakes on Earth, and in winter it is the most big skating rink old world. The water is so clean that it was awarded the international Tourism for Tomorrow Award. The skating rink has an area of 6.5 square meters. kilometers, where you can speed up decently on skates.
Winter skating rink on Eiffel Tower - a good old tradition. The ice premiere took place back in 1969, but ice is not poured every year. If you are lucky enough to attend the opening of the skating rink, you will have a unique opportunity to skate at a height of 57 meters.
An equally popular French skating rink opens to everyone on the square every year before Christmas. in front of the famous City Hall- one of the attractions of Paris.
Sleepy village in 15 kilometers from Rotterdam famous for its windmills. Located along the canals, they serve not only to pump out incoming water ( most of Holland lies below sea level), but also a picturesque landscape for a winter skating rink.
It’s easy to guess that there are dozens of open skating rinks in Toronto – the climate not only allows it, but strongly recommends it! One of them - at Nathan Phillips Square- represents a practical and witty solution: in summer it is a rather pretentious fountain, and in winter it is a cozy skating rink, under the “arches of freedom” it is pleasant to cross in the brilliance of the evening lights. Hockey is prohibited here, but illegal games of shinny (a street version of hockey) often start after 10 pm, when the skating rink keepers leave their post.
This skating rink forms when it freezes lake lake louise, surrounded by mountains. No wonder beautiful landscape adorns many Canadian postcards. The resort itself is a 2-hour drive from Calgary.
When heading to Canada's capital, don't forget to bring your skates. in winter Rideau Canal, connecting Ottawa and Kingston, turns into one of the world's longest skating rinks, stretching across almost the entire city center.
Rivers in the UK have not frozen for many years in a row, but ice skating is very popular among residents of Foggy Albion. The best skating rinks are traditionally filled in the most beautiful historical places— near museums, fortresses, squares. The skating rink in South Kensington has become favorite place for lovers of skiing and fits perfectly into the city panorama.
Hampton Court is a beautiful tourist attraction, and in winter it turns into an ice skating rink for romantic couples. There is beautiful lighting, a bright carousel, the smell of hot chocolate, as well as appropriate music.
Transforms into Europe's largest natural ice skating rink Lake Joux in Switzerland. True, it does not work for long, since the lake freezes only for 2-3 winter weeks. But during this period, it hosts figure skating competitions, as well as ice carnival evenings.
Kazakhstan has the highest mountain skating rink in the world, which allows it to delight residents and guests of the country for six months. This skating rink is located in sports complex"Medeo", near Almaty. Height at its location ( Medeo mountains) 1,691 meters above sea level, and the area of the ice field is 10.5 square meters. km.
If you find yourself in Berlin in winter, you can have a great time at the outdoor skating rink Potsdamer Platz. The skating rink itself is not very large - 40 x 15 meters, but it is one of the attractions of the German capital during the cold season. To the ice skating rink, the organizers decided to add the Winterwelt winter amusement park with a 70-meter snow slide, from which you can ride both sleds and skis.
Elegant Brussels invites you to take a ride on one of the main squares of the city, which bears the ancient name of Fish Market Square. Besides great ice and the invariably cheerful Brussels residents (by the way, who navigate the skating rink very professionally), the skating rink offers a lot of entertainment in the surrounding area.
Where would you go for ice skating?
Skating rink at Constitution Square in Mexico City
The largest ice skating rink in the world has been filled since 2007 before the New Year on one of central squares Mexican capital. Its area exceeds 3,200 square meters and can accommodate up to 14 thousand people per day. Having become a landmark of Mexico City, this ice skating rink, located in Plaza Socalo, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest flood skating rink.
Skating rink in a country with a hot climate
It is a very difficult task to fill an outdoor skating rink in Mexico, a country with a very hot climate. To maintain the required temperature, special devices were created that were connected to pipes (a total of 84 meters) running under the ice.
Opening of a skating rink in Mexico City
Mexico City celebrated the opening of the skating rink with a grandiose colorful show, which was visited by thousands of city residents and tourists. A slide made of artificial snow was built next to it, delighting holiday visitors with sledding, and they also built a fifty-meter New Year tree with a diameter of 20 meters. Famous show business stars performed at the five-hour New Year's performance, professional figure skaters delighted with their New Year's program, and a choir of 300 children performed Christmas songs.
A memorable New Year's project
According to the mayor of Mexico City, $1.5 million was spent on this long-remembered New Year's project for residents and guests of the city, and the skating rink was built with funds donated by a group of Mexican businessmen. Entrance to the skating rink is free for absolutely everyone. In addition, skates are also available for rent free of charge, although this requires a lot of standing in a long line of a huge number of people wanting to visit the record-breaking skating rink.
Recently a new skating rink was opened in St. Petersburg, which is also the largest in northern capital. We decided to see where else there are skating rinks that impress tourists and local residents their size, and present a selection of the eleven largest skating rinks in the world.
Perhaps the largest winter skating rink in the world can be called Mountain Lake Joux (Lac de Joux) in Switzerland: its area is almost 5,000,000 sq.m. Tourists from all over Evprova come to this place to skate. The lake is not only beautiful, but also “exclusive” in a sense: it freezes only for two weeks a year. Therefore, the most experienced ice skating enthusiasts are looking forward to these days with some impatience. IN high season Lake Zhu hosts figure skating competitions, as well as ice carnival evenings.
Lake Paterswoldsemeer, located southwest of the Dutch city of Groningen, is almost half as large as the leader - its area is 2,700,000 sq.m. Paterswoldsemeer is part of the lakes of Groningen-Drenthe. In the warm season, lovers of walks on light sea vessels rush here, and in winter the place turns into a huge ice skating rink. This lake is not only one of the largest in area, but is also the longest skating rink, stretching for as much as 10 km. His water surface in winter it is covered with a strong crust of ice, which lasts until the beginning of spring, allowing thousands of outdoor recreation enthusiasts to enjoy daily skiing.
Third place in our ranking of the largest skating 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 the Canadian capital, Ottawa, and it is worth noting that in winter, local residents here practically do not take off their skates, quickly using this environmentally friendly form of “transport” to anywhere in the city center. In Ottawa, city authorities even came up with road signs for ice skating fans: green - go ahead, red - too warm, the ice has lost its strength!
In this case, it is not only the skating rink that is impressive, but also the work of the local Canadian administration.
In fourth place is the Mexican capital with its ice skating rink located in the center of Mexico City. The area of the skating rink reaches 32,000 sq.m. and has artificial turf. The skating rink in Mexico City is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest artificial skating rink in the world. For the skating rink to exist long time, 74 km were laid under the ice. pipes that are connected to special devices that maintain the required temperature.
Next on the list of the largest ice arenas is a domestic participant - the skating rink in the park named after. Gorky. The size of the skating rink is 15,000 square meters. meters. There are 4 sectors: dance, children's, basic and hockey. A long wooden bridge runs along paths filled with ice.
The new skating rink in Udelny Park in St. Petersburg is currently operating in test mode. The area of this largest skating rink in the city is about 4000 square meters. Photo: Egor Tsvetkov
“The main skating rink of Russia” is in 7th place on our list - Red Square in Moscow has become an ice rink for Muscovites and guests of the capital for 6 winters in a row. The open GUM skating rink occupies a tenth of Red Square, and on its territory of 2,700 sq.m, vacationers not only have fun (capacity - 450 people), but also hockey matches and figure skating demonstrations are held. A fabulous wooden town has been erected near the ice rink, from where you can watch the skaters.
There is an almost identical skating rink in area (2600 sq.m.) 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 just as beautiful as in the movies, and what’s nice is that you can skate here around the clock - perfect place leisure for all types of romantics. By the way, the skating rink is already 64 years old - figure skaters first appeared on its ice back in 1950! A nice bonus winter holidays At the skating rink there is the opportunity to run into a movie star - they say that Wollman Rink is very popular with Jim Carrey, Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman.
Every year, the City Hall of Paris pleases the townspeople by installing an ice skating rink right next to its walls: everyone enjoys skating in the 1,635 square meter arena. m.
Seefeld, Austria. This quiet Tyrolean village can rival the best international ski resorts. All conditions have been created here for winter sports, primarily alpine skiing. However, those who still have energy 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.
And finally, our hit parade of the most “grand” skating rinks in the world is completed by the arena, 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 an altitude of 57 meters . The 200 m² skating rink also offers visitors a stunning panorama of Paris. Ice skating is great fun, and the atmosphere in this place is also supported by French music, as well as original lighting effects. To warm up in this kingdom 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 poured every year, and the skating rink is open only until January 31. The skating rink at the Eiffel Tower is also one of the five most visited Christmas skating rinks in the world.
Also in great demand among tourists are skating rinks in Vienna at the City Hall, on Museum Square in Amsterdam and in London at the Natural History Museum.
World Travel
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27.12.17 11:11
On these mysterious New Year's days, the squares of many cities (including Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Krasnaya Square in Moscow, or opposite the majestic Somerset House in London) turned into delightfully beautiful skating rinks, where young people, children, romantic couples, and veterans rush skates Festive illumination, music and exquisite decoration make the ice rinks simply fabulous! Today we will look at the most unusual skating rinks in the world.
Patterns on ice: the most unusual skating rinks in the world
Vintage depot in Minneapolis
One of the oldest depots in America - built in Minneapolis (Minnesota) at the end of XIX century the building with high arches was intended to “park” trains that ran along the Milwaukee Road line. The last train left from here in 1871. But historical building was not abandoned - it turned into the atmospheric hotel "The Renaissance Minneapolis", which is equipped with one of the most unusual skating rinks in the United States.
The jewel of Chicago's Maggie Daly Park
Chicago's stunning city skating rink is part of an extensive... beautiful park Maggie Daly. Although the skating rink opened only in 2014, it has managed to gain incredible popularity, and today a sea of townspeople craving winter entertainment flocks here. The design of the skating rink was developed by architect Michael van Valkenburg, and the most valuable thing about this ice ribbon is that it offers charming views of Chicago, especially mesmerizing at dusk - in the shimmering necklace of lights.
Transformable pool at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto
Nathan Phillips Square in the heart of Toronto is located directly across from City Hall and was designed in 1965 by the same architect Vilho Revell in collaboration with landscape designer Richard Strong. The square is a treasure trove of attractions, including Henry Moore's Archer, a statue of Winston Churchill and a stunning swimming pool surrounded by the so-called "Liberty Arches" (which includes part of a replica of the Berlin Wall). In winter, the pool turns into a luxurious ice skating rink, a center of attraction for both locals and tourists.
At the Samuel Gee and Ethel LeFrak Center in Brooklyn: silver in the blue “sky”
The most famous skating rink in New York is the skating rink at Rockefeller Center. But, if you are ready to leave hospitable Manhattan and head to Brooklyn, a pleasant surprise awaits you here. Lakeside Prospect Park did not have a single building built from the 19th century until 2013, but the Samuel Gee and Ethel LeFrak Center (designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects) recently rose there. The highlight of the Center is the beautiful ice skating rink. The peculiarity of this ice rink is its unusual ceiling, deep blue, with carved silver lines running over each other like waves.
Ingalls Center: A Yale Legend
The ice skating rink, or rather the Ingalls Center, is the pride of Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut). The full name of the structure is David S. Ingalls Skating Rink, by Eero Saarinen, Yale University, USA, it is named in honor of the benefactors, father and son, both at one time captains of the university's hockey team.
The building, which can accommodate 3,500 people, was built between 1953 and 1958. The locals nicknamed him “The Whale.” It is now valued at $1.5 million (more than twice its original cost). In 1970, there was a terrorist attack in the center - right during a protest concert, two bombs were thrown into the building, damaging the glass doors and roof.
Liege Arena: in the belly of the “whale”
Speaking of the whale! If you want to know how the prophet Jonah felt when he was swallowed by a giant whale, then you need to visit the Liege Ice Rink building in Belgium. The brainchild of the architectural companies Bureau d'Etudes Weinand and L'Escaut grew up in Liege in 2012. It's a dramatic silver structure covered in 200,000 shimmering aluminum plates, with a "whale head" dome at the back that hugs the entrance to the car park. Playful appearance(either a marine mammal or an airship) hides a serious sports facility - an Olympic ice skating rink with an area of 1800 square meters. meters with a capacity of 1200 people. When the arena is free from competitions, the skating rink is open to amateur skaters.
Near the Turkish city of Kayseri: surreal windows
Nine miles from Turkish city Kayseri is home to one of the most bizarre skating rinks on our list. It was built in 2009 by an Istanbul architectural firm. Both the sharp angles of the roof and the sloping columns, reminiscent of parts of a dinosaur skeleton, are unique.
The skating rink is open all year round. Its area is 2000 sq. meters and the snow-white interior is illuminated by fancy lamps, but the most memorable part of the skating rink is the windows of amorphous surreal shapes with multi-colored glass.
Pyongyang skating rink: a futuristic hulk
The futuristic structure, accommodating 6,000 people, opened in 1982 in Pyongyang and was the first indoor ice skating rink in the DPRK. Until now, this skating rink remains the largest in North Korea. The arena, 60 meters long and 30 meters wide, hosts hockey games, speed skating and figure skating competitions - under the watchful gaze of “glorious leader” Kim Jong Un, who looks out at the public from large posters. According to the Lonely Planet website, the skating rink “can be visited occasionally” just to skate.
At the Paris Grand Palais: extravaganza in the palace
The grandiose Grand Palais in the Beaux-Arts style opened its doors in the center of Paris, next to Champs Elysees, in 1900. Since then, it has been “overgrown” with exquisite halls and rooms with different functions.
It hosts art exhibitions, grand fashion shows, sporting competitions, and every winter since 2012, a stunning temporary skating rink has been set up - the largest of all skating rinks in France. The combination of a high domed ceiling, huge plasma screens and spectacular light shows makes the skating rink one of the most impressive ice arenas in the world.
At the Jumeirah Vittaveli resort: under the tropical sun, against the backdrop of palm trees
Luxury resort Jumeirah Vittaveli (Bolifushi, Maldives) has prepared for its guests an extensive entertainment program on New Year and Christmas. It includes not only fire shows, beach parties, congratulations from Father Frost and Snow Maiden, carnivals, but also the construction of the first ice skating rink in the region.
The peculiarity of this unusual eco-skating rink is that it will be open all year. So hotel guests can enjoy skating on ice that never melts in the tropical sun against the backdrop of turquoise waves and palm trees. Interestingly, this skating rink, manufactured using the most modern technologies, does not require any additional filling (that is, water) or electricity. The skating rink is a wonderful, truly magical gift for everyone who decides to relax at Jumeirah Vittaveli!
Incredible facts
During the cold season, it is always nice to have an active time skiing or skating.
Skating rinks are usually installed in cities so that you and your family and/or friends can have a good time during the cold season.
In the world great amount places to relax in winter, and here you can get acquainted with twenty of the most interesting outdoor skating rinks in the world.
These skating rinks welcome everyone, from young to old, and their prices are acceptable for any segment of the population.
The skating rinks that made it into the top ten were named by CNN as the most beautiful in the world.
20. Ice skating rink in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has the highest mountain skating rink in the world, which allows it to delight residents and guests of the country for six months. This skating rink is located in the Medeo sports complex, near Almaty. The height at its location (Medeo Mountains) is 1,691 meters above sea level, and the area of the ice field is 10.5 square meters. km.
19. FlevOnice skating rink, Holland
This skating rink can be found in an open field, namely in a little-known Dutch village called Biddinghuizen. Its outlines are similar to racing tracks, so speed skating competitions are held here. It is worth noting that the route stretches for 3 km. There is also a hotel next to the skating rink for everyone. The skating rink is open until February.
18. Skating rink on Lake Joux, Switzerland
This skating rink usually opens at the end of January. It is formed after the freezing of the highest mountain lake in Switzerland - 1,004 meters. This skating rink is also one of the largest in Europe - its area is about 9.5 sq. km. His frequent guests are residents of the neighboring cities of Geneva and Lausanne. Here you can not only go ice skating, but also admire the snow-covered slopes of the Vaudoise Alps.
17. Skating rink at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Canada
Like many of the skating rinks on this list, the Nathan Phillips Square Ice Rink is one of the most popular places, where residents and guests of the city can spend their leisure time. It is located in front of the city hall and is painted with many bright lights. It is open until March.
16. Ice skating rink in the city center of Helsinki, Finland
It was filled in November in the center of Helsinki. The skating rink itself is located opposite Railway station Helsinki is called Icepark. It has long become a favorite vacation spot for local residents and city guests. Both adults and children skate here. There are even experienced instructors who will teach you how to skate properly.
15. Skating rink on Lake Weißensee, Austria
Initially, it is worth noting that Weissensee is one of the cleanest and deepest lakes on Earth, and in winter it is the largest skating rink in the old world. The water is so pure that it was awarded the international "Tourism for Tomorrow Award". The skating rink has an area of 6.5 square meters. kilometers, where you can speed up decently on skates.
14. Ice skating rink on the roof of a hotel in Vienna, Austria
This small ice skating rink is located on the roof of the Schloss Wilhelminenberg Hotel. And his total area is 200 sq. meters. Despite the fact that it was opened relatively recently, the skating rink has already become famous due to the fact that it is located at a high altitude and from it the capital of Austria is visible at a glance.
13. Ice skating rink in Berlin at Potsdamer Platz, Germany
If you happen to be in Berlin in winter, you can have a great time at the outdoor skating rink at Potsdamer Platz. The skating rink itself is not very large - 40 x 15 meters, but is one of the attractions of the German capital during the cold season. Around the skating rink you can find many stalls with treats. But that's not all - the organizers decided to add the Winterwelt winter amusement park to the ice skating rink with a 70-meter snow slide, from which you can ride both sleds and skis.
12. Ice skating rink in Yosemite National Park, USA
This outdoor ice skating rink in Yosemite Park is not only one of the largest, but also one of the most beautiful in the world, with the towering silhouette of the granite Half Dome Mountain in the background. It is worth noting that the tradition of organizing ice skating in this park dates back to 1928. It was then that the staff of the nature park first decided to flood the abandoned car park with water. Now you can not only skate here, but also rent skates, drink coffee, and have a snack.
11. Hampton Court Ice Rink, London
The site where the skating rink is located is a beautiful tourist attraction, and in winter it turns into an ice skating rink for romantic couples. There is beautiful lighting, a bright carousel, the smell of hot chocolate, as well as appropriate music.
10. Ice skating rink at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
To create this skating rink, 25,000 liters of water were frozen. The result was a slab measuring 45 x 20 meters. It is worth noting that the air temperature here always exceeds 0 degrees, however, despite this, the winter festival has not been canceled, and the organizers have created an ice skating rink that can withstand temperatures up to +30 degrees Celsius.
9. Skating rink on Lake Evergreen, Denver, Colorado, USA (Evergreen Lake)
The skating rink is located 30 minutes from Denver. The entire territory covers an area of almost 35 square meters. km and includes 11 hockey rinks and a huge ice skating arena. Nearby is Evergreen Mountain, decorated with snowy spruce trees. Here you can drink hot chocolate and have a snack.
8. Somerset House Ice Rink, London
If you somehow north wind brings you to London, try visiting the skating rink next to Somerset House - a huge building built at the end of the 18th century in a neoclassical style. In winter, the main attraction of Somerset House is the ice skating rink, where you can not only skate, but also listen to modern music from specially invited DJs. Here you can also snack on cupcakes and drink hot tea.
7. New Year's skating rink with artificial ice at the Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower is not only the main attraction of the French capital, but also a place where you can have a good time, especially in winter, when the skating rink with an area of 200 square meters is filled here. meters. From this skating rink located on the first floor observation deck, you can see Paris in full view from a height of 57 m. 80 people can fit here at the same time. It opened on December 15 and will remain open until the end of February.
6. Big skating rink on Lake Shichahai, Beijing, China
This favorite place local residents and visitors. In the Shichahai area, anyone can rent skates and skate on real ice. With frost, these icy expanses open up to everyone. Here you can find two skating rinks - for professionals and for amateurs. It is worth noting that this lake is actually a connection of three lakes: Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai and surround it historical architecture China.
5. Artificial Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center, New York
This skating rink is one of the most famous in the world. It could be seen in many Hollywood films, surrounded by New York skyscrapers, hundreds of lights, and, of course, a Christmas tree. The skating rink is open from October to April. It was once one of the largest skating rinks, and yet today it can accommodate up to 150 people at a time. It is always popular among residents and guests of the metropolis.
4. The largest ice skating rink in the world: Rideau Canal Ice Rink, Ottawa, Canada
This skating rink near Parliament Hill was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world. It is also protected by UNESCO and extends along the canal between Lake Ontario and the Ottawa River. It's worth noting that the Rideau Canal was built in the 19th century as a backup waterway between the Great Lakes and Montreal in case of war. Its length is 202 kilometers. The skating rink itself has an area of approximately 150 square meters. km, and its length is 7.8 kilometers. In some places its width reaches 70 meters.
3. Moscow skating rinks: skating rink on Red Square
The skating rink on Red Square in Moscow is one of the most beautiful in the world. Its artificial surface allows residents and guests of the capital to enjoy beautiful view and lighting, and of course the skating process itself. The skating rink will be open until March 16 - opening hours from 10-00 to 00-00.
2. Ice Dream outdoor ice skating rink in Vienna, Austria
Two large skating rinks in the center of the Austrian capital were connected by a small isthmus of ice to create one large skating rink with an area of 6,000 square meters. meters. The isthmus can be used as a acceleration strip. There are many shops around the skating rink where you can buy drinks and food.
1. Outdoor skating rink at Banff & Lake Louise, Canada
This skating rink is formed when Lake Louise, surrounded by mountains, freezes. No wonder the beautiful landscape adorns many Canadian postcards. The resort itself is a 2-hour drive from Calgary. It is worth noting that you can not only skate at the skating rink, but also, if you are cold, warm up.