When the leaves start to fall from the trees and the temperatures drop towards freezing our minds turn to winter sports. And no winter sport is more fun to do with friends and family than ice skating.
Whether you are a pro who has been skating since childhood or a newcomer who just wants to give it a try, winter in Zurich is the perfect time. And, lucky for us there are a lot of awesome options.
From the classics that are open every year to those less -permanent with jaw-dropping lake views, these are the ice skating options you have in Zurich this winter.
Note: At the end are a list of skating rinks that have always opened the last few years, but are no longer operating.
More of an old-school closed ice-skating rink, the Dolder Open-Air is open from the 1st of November until the end of March. It is a favorite of the locals as it has been running since the 1930s and runs until late (10.30pm) so is a perfect after-work meetup. It is also the largest of it’s kind in Europe at over 6,000m 2 (64,500 sq. ft), so there is always plenty of space to take a spin on your skates.
They also host a bunch of different events up there from curling, ice sculpture displays to even the odd ice-skating disco or two!
Dolder SportsAdlisbergerstrasse 368044 ZürichSwitzerland
Tel: +41 44 267 70 80
Email: info@doldersports.com
Opening Dates & Times:
1 Nov. 2017 – 11th March
Monday to Saturday 9.00am–10.30pmSunday 9.00am–5.45pm
Closed: Wednesdays from 5.45pm – 7.15pm due to training sessions
Getting There:
Option 1: Tram Nr. 3 or 8 to Romerhof. Then catch the Dolderbahn to Bergstration Dolder and follow the signs to the ice rink (5 minutes walk)
Option 2: Tram Nr. 6 to Zoo, then 15min walk (maybe don’t do this when it’s dark :>)
Probably the most picturesque setting for an ice-skating rink in Zurich, the Seehotel Sonne down in Küsnacht is a great spot for a romantic night skate with your loved ones.
The setting is stunning with the ice skating rink in the gardens, right on the lake-front, surrounded by atmospheric lights at night (created by renowned artist – Gerry Hofstetter).
Live On Ice​Seestrasse 120​8700 Küsnacht am ZürichseeSwitzerland
Tel: +41 44 512 53 00 (9am – 6pm)
Email: info@sonne.ch
Opening Dates & Times:
12. Nov 2017 to 4. Feb 2018
Monday: 6 – 8pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 3 – 8pm
Wednesday & Sunday: 2- 8pm
Friday & Saturday: 3 – 9pm
Getting There:
Train S6 or S16 from Zurich main station to Kusnacht Goldbach. Then walk 3min to Live on Ice.
Right in the heart of the Wienachtsdorf Christmas market, just across from the lake, is the ever-popular Bellevue Ice Rink . This makes for a great day or night out because you can combine it with a little christmas shopping or just a quick nip of Gluhwein to keep you warm in the icy winter weather!
Ice Rink Bellevue @ WienachtsdorfZürcher WienachtsdorfWeihnachtsmarktSechseläutenplatz8001 Zürich
Tel: +41 44 512 53 00 (9am – 6pm)
Email: info@sonne.ch
Opening Dates & Times:
November 23 – December 23, 2017
Monday – Saturday: 11am- 10pm
Sunday: 11am – 8pm
Getting There:
Bellevue is easy to get to with the following public transport:
Trams: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15
Train to Stadelhofen then 2 minutes walk
Perhaps as a replacement to the now-defunct Polyterrasse Ice Rink, ETH students are organizing an ice skating rink on the Höngg campus in December.
Wolfgang Pauli Strasse 9
8093 Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: +41 78 956 03 85
Facebook page: ETH Höngg Ice Skating
No further information at this time (Nov 2017)
Getting There:
ETH Hongg is best reached by
Option 1: Tram 11 from the main station to Auzleg, then walk to Bucheggplatz and catch bus 69.
Option 2: Tram 14 to Milchbuch then bus 69.
Option 3: Train to Affoltern then bus 37 to Höngg
The following are some of the best ice skating locations around central Zurich that are no longer operating.
There used to be an ice skating rink in the Europaallee area just next to the main station in Zurich. But, it appears this year (2017/18) it has been replaced by a new Winter Garden concept featuring a chalet, forest decorations and some stalls and bars.
Winter Garden​Gustav-Gull-Platz​Europeaallee8001 Zürich
Tel: +41 44 512 53 00 (9am – 6pm)
Email: info@sonne.ch
Opening Dates & Times:
November 23 – December 23, 2017
Monday – Saturday: 11am- 10pm
Sunday: 11am – 8pm
Getting There:
Walking distance from Zurich HB
ETH has unfortunately decided to stop hosting the Polyterrasse ice skating rink as of 2017. This has the most amazing view over the city, so it is a real shame we can no longer enjoy this.
Due to a strategy change by the director of the museum, the Live on Ice at the Landesmuseum across from the Zurich HB is no longer taking place each year.
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!