Oh, so I know it's ski season come early, and yes, I will be on the slopes this winter. However, I thought I might as well give this ice skating lark a go - can't be that difficult I guess staying upright and, who knows, maybe I'll take to it so much that I'll turn to ice hockey one day. That or the odd piroutte I suppose. Also got this rink near me, which helps. Just wondering though if you could get lessons anywhere - I know I can go round and round and fall over every so often, but I thought why not try to do it properly...?!

Up at the Dolder hotel, the huge rink there has many schools and clubs, so perhaps ask them for info? Some info here, in German.

At the zug rink you can organise private lessons for young and old.

I know this post was a while ago, but I am about to move back to Zug and would really love to learn to ice skate properly! Is it possible to still have lessons in the summer? I know the Herti Stadion in Zug is indoors but I can't find a website for it to get more info. Anyone have any idea?

ooh gimme a shout when you move back cos I'd love to learn too!! I'm also in Zug, so that makes life easier!

Hi, I just moved to zurich from London. I am also interested in learning to ice skate - it looks so much fun. I am guessing because this post is old, you guys have learnt by now. IS there any chance you can show me how its done. If you haven't had a crack at it anyone someone give me a shout!

Adam

Most ice-skating is going on in Winter. Season start of the ice skating rinks in Zurich is 4.10.2008. Perhaps you have more success if you ask again later?

About half the ice rinks in Switzerland are outdoor and about 90% are closed in the summer. They are usually open between October and April. I don't know about lessons, I'd just say strap the skates on and give it a go

You can find a list of rinks in your area here:
http://www.skating.ch/rinks/index.htm

Perhaps "adamn" looks out of the window, glances at the thermometer and thinks it IS winter!

Now the winter is here !

I want to do ice skating this winter, would like to learn the basics and would like to be able to do some ice skating couple dancing at the end of the winter.

my questions,

• Are there open free rinks in Zürich ? ( in geneva we had 2 of them )
• Where one can find instructors/lessons etc.
• Are there other people here interested in doing it ?

I am not sure if there are free rinks, other than the Christmas one at the Altes museum but this is too crowded and small to learn.

There is a nice big one at Dolder that I have been to a few times. It is not free, but you can get an annual pass I) think. As far as lessons, no idea but I am sure you can check there. They also rent skates. It seemed reasonable price to me and the hours are decent and it is very large(Largest one in Europe according to the link) so you can always find a corner or something to get away from the crowd. And evenings aren't usually too crowded. Go weekend afternoons and kids will be skating circles around you.

http://www.wikifun.ch/wiki/Dolder_Kunsteisbahn
http://www.doldersports.com/en/20/default.aspx

Also, as an added bonus, you can cycle up to it, as the hill up to it is where I do hill repeats. It is a steep 2km climb at about 10%. Of course, the DolderBahn will get you there as well.

See, I manage to turn a skating discussion into a cycling discussion (magic huh).

I have my own ice skates,

CHF 7 per ticket

I grew accustomed to free open air sports ( other than my own equipement )

Cycling, is free, all roads are ours ( and also the offroads )
Swiming, is free on the lake, I live 1 block away so.
Inline Skating, as cycling, it is free.


There should be some frozen lake around I guess

Well, there's nothing like jumping in at the deep end.
This site with Skating rinks might help as you will hardly get a teacher to come and give you lessons on an 'amateur' natural ice rink - which are likely to be the free ones.
You do realise, don't you, that you will need different skates from the ice hockey players as well.
Good luck, let us know when we can come and watch.

thank you... I have my beautiful dancing ice skates, not the ice hockey kind.

I had a friend in Geneva who did ice skating dancing when she was a girl, she tried to teach me, but at that moment I wasn't interested. It's a pity.

I have been told but have not been that there is a huge frozen lake(pond) for skating in the vincinity of the Hoch Y Brig ski resort. Not sure if there are closer ones.

Though the ones you have to pay for, are well maintained, groomed hourly, kept at a certain temperature......so you pay for this....