Ice skating is a favourite winter pastime whether you're a city slicker or a back-to-nature skater. Falstaff shows you the best ice skating spots in Austria.
Few winter activities are as popular among Austrians as ice skating. So if you're planning a winter trip to the alpine nation to check out the Christmas markets or the ski slopes, here are the most beautiful spots to don a pair of ice skates and try a few pirouettes.
High above the Vienna rooftops, you can skate on top of a building and enjoy a great view at the Engelmann artificial ice rink. It was the world's first open-air artificial rink, opening its doors more than 100 years ago. For those who like to skate to music, the ice disco is the place to be every Friday from 5:30pm. Other highlights are Ladies' Day every Tuesday and Couples' Day, Thursdays from 6pm.
engelmann.co.at
Between mid-January and the beginning of March 2023, the Rathausplatz by Vienna's Town Hall will become the largest ice rink in Austria! With an area of 9,500sqm, ice skating enthusiasts can really get going in the middle of the capital. In 2023, Vienna's Ice Dream will be bigger than ever before. In addition to a Christmas ambience, visitors can expect an ice landscape that leads across four large areas and romantic paths in the park up to a first floor viewing platform.
wienereistraum.com
You can also skate in Salzburg if you happen to be visiting the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Eislzauber on Mozartplatz with its 470sqm ice rink and adjacent snack and drinks stand will be run for the first time by the Salzburg Christmas Market Association. The ice rink is open daily from 10am to 10pm until 31 January 2023. Ice skating equipment can be rented on site.
salzburg.info
More than 2,500 sqm of perfect ice will again be available to visitors at the Landesturnhalle until 29 January 2023. A special feature: sports enthusiasts can also rent an ice rink this winter for ice hockey matches, curling tournaments and celebrations.
grazerwinterwelt.at
Of course, Austria also offers numerous natural ice rinks! But beware: some of these are not official so skate at your own risk!
Lake Weissensee is the largest groomed natural ice surface in Europe. From mid-December to early March, ice skaters, hikers and horse-drawn carriages cavort on the up to 40cm thick ice surface, enjoying the unique scenery of Carinthia. An in-house ice master and his team of employees take care of up to 25km of skating, curling and ice hockey rinks.
weissensee.com
The frozen Lake Neusiedl also offers a wonderous natural experience! Once frozen, the lake in Burgenland becomes the largest freely accessible natural ice skating surface in Central Europe. Ice telephones in the villages provide guests with the necessary information on the condition of the ice but entering or skating on the surface is at your own risk.
neusiedlersee.com
When it is really cold, this lake in Mostviertel in Lower Austria freezes over and becomes a super natural ice skating rink. However, the lake is not officially open for skating and the pleasure is at your own risk. Skates can be rented at the nearby Landhotel Zellerhof! This way, you can decide on the day if you want to prove your skills on the ice.
mostviertel.at
