Kaiserslautern on Ice

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Photos by City of KaiserslauternIce skaters have fun at the ice skating rink in the event hall of the Kaiserslautern Gartenschau.
Photos by City of Kaiserslautern
Ice skaters have fun at the ice skating rink in the event hall of the Kaiserslautern Gartenschau.

Now is the time for enthusiastic ice skaters to prepare for the opening of the “Kaiserslautern on Ice” season, which starts at 6 p.m. Nov. 21.  For the fifth year, a mobile ice skating rink will be set up in the event hall of the Kaiserslautern Gartenschau. The annual ice skating season will run through Feb. 15.

The official opening will include a show program, and visitors can test the rink for a reduced price of €2. Daily skating hours are from 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m. On Friday and Saturday nights, skating hours are extended until 10 p.m.  Admission is €2.50 for children and €3.50 for adults.

Children learn to ice skate with the help of penguin  training aids.
Children learn to ice skate with the help of penguin training aids.

Throughout the skating season, a diversified program will be offered. Santa Claus on ice will make his appearance and pass out gifts to children Dec. 6, when Germans observe “Nikolaustag,” or Santa Claus Day.

Every Friday afternoon, inexperienced skaters under 14 can make their first steps onto the ice with a licensed instructor. The skating rink also offers penguin training aids for beginners for €2 per hour.

School classes that wish to spend their field trip or their sports lesson on the mobile ice-skating rink can register and agree on different skating times. For details and registration, call 0631-7100765.

Those who don’t have their own ice skates can rent some for €3.50 from the rental place, which also offers skate sharpening. To warm up cold fingers, rest the feet,
take a break  or to watch other ice skaters, visitors can sit down in the restaurant area next to the ice.

For more information, get the “Kaiserslautern on Ice” flyer from the Tourist Information Office next to the Fruchthalle building on Fruchthallstrasse. Flyers can also be found in local stores and restaurants.

For updates and news, visit www.kl-on-ice.de, www.facebook.de/kl-on-ice or www. kaiserslautern.de.