The choice of ice rinks in the capital is unusually wide. However, many fans of skating with the onset of the season rush to the Sokolniki park. How does it attract visitors, what features and disadvantages of its skating rink, we will analyze with you further.
About the ice rink
The ice rink in Sokolniki Park, traditionally located on Festival Square, is not the only one on the territory of PKiO. In addition to it, the Big Giant is open for guests at the Big Circle, and the Skating Rink in the Forest near the Golden Pond, where visitors are also not charged. However, most people still seek to get on a paid "Ice".
This desire is no coincidence, because only this skating rink in Sokolniki, having an area of 5300 m 2 , is all-weather, because special ice-filling technology is used here, which allows the latter to maintain excellent condition when the air temperature rises to +15 degrees. In addition, “Ice” is always colorfully decorated: the ice surface is highlighted, light installations and thousands of LED bulbs on the sides are installed, as well as a large 6x4 m media screen, thematic art objects. For the convenience of the audience, temporary wooden stands are being erected.
On the ice rink venue in Sokolniki Park, fun contests, parties and ice skating parties are regularly held. Young skaters are taught the basics of skiing by teachers of the sports school "Smeka". Everything else, each winter season here has its own unique theme. Winter 2016-2017, for example, was marked by a rock. The platform "Ice" was completely dedicated to this musical direction:
- The best rock hits were heard from the speakers (the day of Elvis Presley and the Nirvana band was also held).
- On the ice platform, special instruction strips teaching rock and roll dance movements were applied.
- 6 gobo projectors created an atmosphere of the disco era on ice, scattering runaway colored spots with an area of up to 12 m 2 .
- Neon lights were installed in the ice.
- Each weekend, the sound of rock rhythms delighted visitors to specially invited music groups.
Contact Information
Ice rink can be found at: st. Sokolnichesky Val, 1, bld. 1, Festival Square (opposite Pavilion 2). The best way to get there is by metro, stop - station. Sokolniki (red branch).
Traditionally, the skating rink in the Sokolniki park opens on November 28. Since that time, he works every day from 10.00 to 0.00 until the end of the season. Access to the ice platform is carried out by periods:
- 10.00 - 12.00.
- 13.00 - 15.00.
- 16.00 - 18.00.
- 19.00 - 21.00.
- 22.00 - 00.00.
Rental is open from 10.00 to 0.00. The issuance of sports equipment ends at 23.00.
Ice rental prices
The cost of going out on ice, rental, as well as a list of categories of citizens entitled to free and preferential visits, changes every season. We will present the latest information - for 2016-2017.
| Service | Cost |
| Going out on ice, children under 3 years old | Not allowed on the ice rink |
| Going out on the ice, children 3-14 years old | Free accompanied by an adult who has bought a full ticket. A child without an adult rides at the full cost of an adult ticket. |
| Going out on ice, adults | Weekdays - 250 rubles / session. Weekends, holidays - 350 rubles / session. |
| Rental of all types of skates | 200 p. / Session. |
| Blade sharpening | 300 p. / Pair. |
| Hire a Walker for Skating Training | 200 p. / Session. |
| Hire a children's protective kit | 200 p. / Session. |
| Penalty for the loss of an electronic pass | 100 p. / 1 pc. |
| Penalty for the loss of a wardrobe number | 100 p. / 1 pc. |
The price of admission includes storing clothes in the wardrobe or using one cell for personal items. Skates are released without bail in the form of a passport or a sum of money. For everything else, both a document and cash (500-1000 rubles) must be left as a deposit.
Benefits for visiting the "Ice"
Let us consider in the table the categories of citizens entitled to free or preferential admission to the skating rink in Sokolniki Park.
| Free admission | Grace visit |
| WWII participants | Pensioners, people with disabilities of all categories - 175 p. / Session (only from Monday to Thursday, on non-public holidays). |
| WWII veterans and other military operations | Families with three or more children - for special accommodation (registration in the Fitness Center), no more than 10 sessions per month. |
| Heroes of the USSR, RF | |
| Former prisoners of concentration camps | |
| Full Cavaliers Awards Order of Glory | |
| Former blockades, as well as persons holding the award "For the Defense of Leningrad" | |
| Workers during the Second World War in the rear | |
| Orphans | |
| Disabled children | |
To obtain benefits, you must present the relevant documents.
Reviews about the ice rink
The table shows the reviews about the skating rink in the Sokolniki park 2014-2015, as well as for the more recent period - 2016-2017.
| pros | Minuses |
| Relatively reasonable prices | Small roller sizes |
| Excellent work schedule - from late November to late March | Long queues on weekends and holidays, slow cash services |
| Good ice quality | Tight locker room |
| A small number of visitors on weekdays | Rapid deterioration in ice quality due to the large number of skiers |
| Great music selection | Cancellation of student benefits |
| There is a dressing room in the wardrobe building | Only those who bought a ticket can stay in the locker room - a free passage is ordered for those accompanying |
Thus, “Ice” from year to year remains a favorite place for outdoor activities for Muscovites. Reviews about the skating rink in Sokolniki Park warn that visiting this place is much more pleasant and convenient on weekdays.