Outdoor skating rinks offer the chance to glide across the ice in some of the most breathtaking places on the planet, from a spectacular and remote winter landscape to the heart of a large city decked out in its best holiday décor. During this classic winter activity while being pushed across the ice, you can enjoy a sense of freedom, romance and the joy of simply being outdoors on a crisp winter's day.
Credit: Bigstock.com Rockefeller Center, New York CityRockefeller Center, New York City
Rockefeller Center, New York City
New York City is home to what may be the most famous ice skating rink in the world, the Rockefeller Center ice rink. Only 122 feet long, this intimate rink gazes up at the city's iconic annual Christmas tree, as New Yorkers and tourists alike skate past the watchful eye of the golden bronze statue of Prometheus and the urban backdrop of the city's twinkling lights. This quintessential Big Apple offers the chance to create magical memories on ice that you will remember, and cherish, for a lifetime.
Credit: CaravanumThe Eiffel Tower, ParisThe Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower, Paris
It doesn't get much more romantic than skating to the top of this Paris landmark, gliding 188 feet above the dazzling city on its first observation deck. After sunset, the views are absolutely stunning, offering the opportunity to see first-hand why Paris is known as the City of Light while warming up with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine sprinkled with cinnamon at the rink bar. Your view includes the famous golden dome of the Invalides, Napoleon's last resting place.
Credit: bigstock.comVienna Ice Dream, AustriaVienna Ice Dream, Austria
Vienna Ice Dream, Austria
Just in time for Christmas, Vienna transforms the façade of its imposing city hall, Rathaus, into a 75,000 square foot ice rink. The annual ice skating event organised by the city is called the Wiener Eistraum or Viennese Ice Dream. Skating here is an almost surreal experience: you will pass elaborate light displays while listening to live DJ music, stopping occasionally to refuel at one of the mulled wine bars. In addition to the main skating ring, you can skate along a 1361-foot ice skating trail through Rathauspark.
Credit: Tristan in Ottawa, Rideau Canal Skateway, Ottawa, Canada Rideau Canal Skateway, Ottawa, Canada
Rideau Canal Skateway, Ottawa, Canada
The world's longest naturally occurring skating rink is located in the Canadian city of Ottawa, Ontario, along the 4.8-mile-long Rideau Canal. During the summer, the canal is full of boats, but as soon as the temperature drops, the waterway is teeming with locals skating to work or school, along with tourists who want to give it a try. You can skate on the entire frozen canal, enjoy snack bars along the way where you can sip hot chocolate and indulge in 'beaver tails', delicious pastries topped with cinnamon and sugar. You'll also find an outdoor art gallery to browse through along the way.
Credit: Christian HorcelKeystone Lake Ice Rink, Keystone, ColoradoKeystone Lake Ice Rink, Keystone, Colorado
Keystone Lake Ice Pink, Keystone, Colorado
Located in the heart of the spectacular Rocky Mountains at Keystone Resort's Lakeside Village, Keystone Lake Ice Rink is the largest outdoor ice rink in the entire United States and the largest maintained outdoor ice rink on the planet. You'll glide across the ice to the beats of festive music and gaze at the towering snow-capped mountains along with the dazzling holiday lights. There are plenty of other fun winter experiences to partake in here too, including skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing and sleigh rides.
Credit: anneh632McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park, ChicagoMcCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park, Chicago
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park, Chicago
This renowned Chicago ice rink attracts more than 100,000 skaters each year. Admission is free - you only have to pay if you need to rent your skates, which are only $10. Enjoy the view of the city's famous skyscrapers as you practice your figure of eight. Skating at night is not particularly good with the Chicago skyline all lit up. If it starts to get cold, warm up with a hot chocolate at the Park Grill Restaurant. Since this rink can get crowded, if you prefer not to bump elbows, go early or on weekdays.
Credit: Bigstock.comGrouse Mountain, Vancouver, BCGrouse Mountain, Vancouver, BC
Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, BC
A mountaintop rink, Grouse Mountain's outdoor skating rink is a particularly scenic place to skate. A tram will cost you 3700 feet where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Vancouver's city lights and the Coast Range. At Christmas, enjoy the 'Peak of Christmas' celebration with a reindeer pen, sleigh rides, holiday movies and Santa's workshop with the man himself. Take a break from the skating rink to warm up by the fire pit, savour the views and recharge your batteries with some Poutine - fries covered in milk and curd cheese.
Credit: Bigstock.comWollman Rink, New York CityWollman Rink, New York City
Wollman Rink, New York City
Located at the southern end of New York's world-famous Central Park, this outdoor skating rink is set against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline along with the picturesque park - and is more than three times the size of the Rockefeller rink. The rink, which has been attracting skaters for over sixty years, is stunning to look at and is usually packed with locals and tourists alike. Not surprisingly, it has been featured in numerous films, including 'Serendipity' and 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'. During the off-season, the runway is transformed into Victorian gardens.
Credit: Benson KuaNathan Phillips Square, Toronto, CanadaNathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Canada
Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Canada
Located across from City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square is a square in downtown Toronto that is filled with all kinds of activities such as concerts and dance performances during the summer. In winter, it becomes one of the city's most popular attractions when the reflecting pool is transformed into an ice skating rink. This quintessential Toronto experience offers the chance to skate against a unique urban backdrop of twinkling lights and a large holiday tree.
Credit: Bigstock.comZermatt, SwitzerlandZermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt, Switzerland
It's hard to imagine a better place to skate than the magnificent snow-covered Swiss Alps. In the centre of Zermatt, a picturesque alpine village near the base of the Matterhorn, one of Europe's highest peaks, you'll find two natural skating rinks and an artificial rink set amidst impressive mountain views. Since no petrol vehicles are allowed in the village, horse-drawn carriages are a popular form of transport. In winter, the bells of horse-drawn sleighs can be heard around every corner, creating a particularly atmospheric winter wonderland scene.
Credit: Bigstock.comRed Square Rink, Moscow, Russia Red Square Rink, Moscow, Russia
Red Square Rink, Moscow, Russia
In Moscow, you can enjoy the unforgettable experience of skating at the foot of the Kremlin walls. Red Square Rink is one of the most beautiful skating rinks in the world. It covers 32,000 square metres, covering a quarter of the historical square, shared with the Kremlin, the State Historical Museum and St. Basil's Cathedral, and is exquisitely decorated with Christmas ornaments. Skaters can dance across the ice until midnight, leaving plenty of room to admire the beauty of all the dazzling lights.
Credit: http://highroadtour.blogspot.com/Sun Valley Outdoor Rink, IdahoSun Valley Outdoor Rink, Idaho
Sun Valley Outdoor Rink, Idaho
Believe it or not, in Sun Valley, Idaho, you can even go ice skating in summer. This public outdoor rink is one of the few places on the continent where you can skate all year round. Olympic skaters often gather here to perform incredible stunts in the Sun Valley Summer Ice Parades. Of course, in winter, the scenery is even more breathtaking covered in glittering snow - and, if you're looking for something else to do after rolling on the ice, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding or even celebrity skating.
shizhaoShichahai Lake, BeijingShichahai Lake, Beijing
Shichahai Lake, Beijing
Shichahai Lake, which is actually three connected lakes including Xihai, Houhai and Quianhai Lakes, located just north of downtown Beijing, freezes over in the colder months, leaving a beautiful and natural slope for visitors. Here, you can skate while surrounded by incredible natural beauty and historic architecture - or wander around on a bicycle, one of Beijing's traditional winter pastimes. Create a delightful Bruegel-style scene with hundreds of children and adults whizzing around on skates and ice-bikes, while others watch from the banks. Whether you have decided to participate or just be a spectator, it makes it especially enjoyable.
Credit: Bigstock.comIce Skating on the Strip, Las VegasIce Skating on the Strip, Las Vegas
Ice skating on the Strip, Las Vegas
Yes, there really is an outdoor ice skating rink in the scorching desert heat. Actually, there are two. During the holidays, Venetian and Cosmopolitan hotels try to outdo each other with this improbable spectacle. At the Venetian hotel, skate bar kiosks on the runway and suitably flashy decorations like huge glittering snowflakes. A holiday-themed light show takes place every night and visitors can also select a package that combines a skating session with an outdoor gondola ride. The Cosmopolitan magically transforms the Boulevard Pool into an ice skating rink set in a winter wonderland, complete with fire pits and seasonal treats available for purchase.
Credit: Jos DielisLake Weissensee, Carinthia, AustriaLake Weissensee, Carinthia, Austria
Lake Weissensee, Carinthia, Austria
A dazzling Alpine bathing lake in summer, in the winter months, Lake Weissensee freezes over offering the opportunity to skate across what seems like an endless expanse of ice in relative solitude. The lake has 2.5 square kilometres of smooth, reliable ice and a special academy where you can take figure skating or speed skating lessons.
Credit: [Duncan] Sommerset House, London, EnglandSommerset House, London, England
Sommerset House, London, England
Somerset House, a magnificent neoclassical building, offers an unforgettable skating experience on London's favourite ice rink, a beautiful outdoor rink located on the Thames. During the day, visitors can skate in the spectacular setting of the 18th-century Somerset courtyard, and after dark, the rink is transformed by flaming torches and twinkling lights that illuminate the building's classical facades. DJs spin tunes that provide a fun soundtrack to an evening of ice dancing, and you'll also have the chance to indulge in champagne and chocolates while you skate.
Credit: Bigstock.com Ice Village Rurry, Yosemite National Park, CACurry Village Ice Rink, Yosemite National Park, CA
Curry Village Ice Rink, Yosemite National Park, CA.
The Curry Village Rink was created almost 90 years ago when the Yosemite Winter Club invaded an unused car park to create a makeshift ice rink. Since then, it has become one of Yosemite's most beloved traditions. Skate under the shadows of snow-dusted Half Dome and Glacier Point, stopping for a break at the fire pit. Visitors can also take part in a range of other outdoor adventures in winter, such as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, sledding and sleigh rides.
davebloggs007Lake Louise, Alberta, CanadaLake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Lake Louise in Banff National Park offers one of the most breathtaking scenes on the planet, and in winter it becomes even more impressive. Snow-capped mountains surround the magnificent glacier-fed lake, allowing skaters to admire incredible views of the Canadian Rockies and Victoria Glacier. An ice castle sculpted by the chefs of the Fairmont Chateau is the centrepiece of the lakeside skating rink. When you need to warm up, you can sip free hot chocolate around a big bonfire.
Credit: Bigstock.comGorky Park, Moscow, RussiaGorky Park, Moscow, Russia
Gorky Park, Moscow, Russia
During the winter months, the walkways of Gorky Park become an expansive maze of frozen fun. At more than 190,000 square feet, it is known as the largest skating rink in all of Russia and Europe. Created with the latest ice technology, it remains silky smooth for five months of the year. It includes a dance rink, a figure skating school, a hockey arena and designated areas for small children. Skaters can warm up in one of the many cafés or the two restaurants that line the park.
Credit: Bigstock.comPrinces Street Gardens Ice Rink, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrinces Street Gardens Ice Rink, Edinburgh, Scotland
Princes Street Gardens Ice Rink, Edinburgh, Scotland
The largest outdoor ice rink in the U.K. can be found in November and December in Princes Street Gardens, beneath the magnificent Edinburgh Castle as part of the annual Winter Wonderland festivities. As well as lacing up your skates and touring the glittering rink, you can take part in all sorts of other activities, including rides, a magical Christmas market, a theatre, delicious food and mulled wine to match.