The skating rink at VDNKh is the main open ice arena in Russia. The object received this status in 2014. Its infrastructure, dimensions and capabilities surpass the characteristics of all other ice arenas not only in our country, but also in the world. The tradition of skating on the territory of the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy was born exactly fifty years ago.
Every winter, the open arena attracts thousands of Muscovites and guests of the capital. Four years ago, the skating rink at VDNKh got an artificial ice system. It stretched from the Main Alley to the Friendship of Peoples fountain. Its actual area exceeds 20,000 square meters. The infrastructure facilities of the arena occupy another 48,000 m². The arena can accommodate up to 4,500 people at a time.
The work of the ice rink at VDNKh is controlled by a team of instructors. Coaches are always ready to help beginners. The main decoration of the arena is a picturesque bridge thrown over the ice mirror. This is a favorite meeting place for couples and old acquaintances.
Cash desks
The sale of entrance tickets starts in two shifts. The first one lasts from 11:00 to 14:10, the second from 17:00 to 22:10. On the weekendand holidays cash pavilions open at 10:00 and 16:45. Non-working day - Monday.
Inventory rentals
From Tuesday to Friday pavilions start giving out skates at 11:00. The rental shops close at 14:30. On weekends you can rent skates from 10:00 to 14:30. Evening shift starts at 5:00 pm. Weekdays and weekends at 4:45 pm. The pavilions close at 22:30 according to the schedule of the skating rink at VDNKh.
Ice Arena
The first visitors start at 11:00. Weekends at 10:00. The morning shift ends at 2:45 pm. The second session of skiing starts at 17:00. The ice arena closes at 22:45.
Infrastructure
List of ice rink facilities at VDNKh:
- main route;
- footbridge;
- kids area;
- alley of lovers;
- thematic sites;
- cash pavilions;
- he alth station;
- cafe;
- restaurants;
- diners;
- rent;
- service shops;
- security service.
The big circle is designed to slide freely. It covers the alleys, encircling decorative installations in the form of fountains. The length of the Northern Lights crossing is almost 90 meters. The width of the pedestrian bridge exceeds 2 m. The height of the arch reaches 6 m.
Children's skating rink is a separate area of ice cover. Its area is 900 square meters. On its territory, training in figure skating and basic skating takes place. To the children's area of the ice rinkVDNKh is open to children aged three to eight years. Must be accompanied by an adult.
The alley of lovers smoothly goes around the bowl of the light fountain "Friendship of Peoples". This is the inner circle of the ice arena. Along it are benches for rest. The skating rink has five pavilions. Each serves a specific thematic area. There are kiosks serving visitors who come with their own skating rinks. All the rest offer equipment rental in the Volkswagen, Mir, Megafon, Russian Railways, Zasport, and Detskaya zones.
Ticket office employees arrive long before the opening of the ice rink at VDNKh. You can buy a season ticket in any pavilion at the time set by the administration of the ice arena. First aid to the injured at the rink is provided by the on-duty medical team. Eleven cafes invite you to have a bite and relax. They serve sandwiches, hamburgers, pastries, hot drinks and lemonades. In the restaurant you can order a set lunch or spend a romantic evening.
A large food court is located next to the eatery area. It is represented by the coffee partner of the ice arena, McCoffee. There are 3,500 pairs of skates at the skating rink equipment rental points at VDNKh, the opening hours are indicated above. 1500 pairs are intended for playing hockey, 1500 pairs for figure skating on ice. 500 pairs are provided for children. The minimum size is 25, the maximum is 48. There are 25 sets of protective equipment in stock.
To sharpen skate blades in professional workshops, you need to go to pavilions No. 1 and2. The security service consists of ten experienced instructors who train beginners. They control compliance with the rules of conduct on the ice.
Login
To get to the rink, you must purchase a ticket or pay for an electronic bracelet. In pavilion No. 3, priority is given to visitors with season tickets. If you have your own skates, the administration of the ice arena recommends contacting other points. It is forbidden to enter the skating rink without skates. This rule also applies to escorts.
Maintenance time
There is a break between the morning and evening shifts. It starts at 15:00 and ends at 17:00. Rink visitors are urged to leave the ice fifteen minutes prior to maintenance activities. At this time, special vehicles enter the alleys.
She is in charge of snow removal. Machines restore and level the surface of the ice. Special rollers remove chips, cracks and cuts. They are also polishing the ice surface.
Disco style
At the end of the working week, on Fridays, dances are held at the rink. The disco starts at 18:00 and ends closer to 20:00. Visitors to the ice arena are entertained by professional choreographers. Spectators have the opportunity to learn the basic movements of modern and classical dances.
December is the month of incendiary rhythms. Passionate Latino melodies sound from the stage. The administration of the skating rink arranges evenings of Scottish and Irish dances. Disco members take part in orientalprograms and real cowboy dances.
The lesson begins with the study of basic steps. Then the choreographers show the main links that connect the disparate movements into a single composition. At the end, all the participants of the disco gather and perform the chosen dance together.
In addition to folk and folklore choreographic movements, the skating rink introduces the basics of modern ballet art. They arrange dances with a mime and discos in the style of the popular singer Beyoncé. The exact schedule of lessons becomes known only after the final approval of the opening date of the skating rink at VDNKh.
Fun
Come with the whole family not only to skate, but also to have fun. On Saturdays from 12:00 to 15:00, the administration of the ice arena organizes joint games. Visitors take part in old Russian amusements. They play Freeze and Brook. They are divided into teams and compete with each other in dexterity and ingenuity. Animators hold competitions and sports relay races.
To become a participant in the event, you need to find an animator. State your desire and receive a bright ribbon. It serves as a distinctive sign and helps team members to recognize their teammates. To take part in the relay, you do not need to wait for the end of the round. You can join the game absolutely at any time.
Stand up for exercise
Early birds are waiting for an impromptu exercise. Starting from the opening date in 2018, at the skating rink at VDNKh on Saturdays andOn Sundays, the administration of the ice arena conducts morning exercises. Training starts at 10:00 and lasts until 12:00. You can join at any time. Sunday classes start at 11:00 and end at 13:00. Training takes place outdoors in any weather.
Classes aimed at light stretching and warming up of all groups of the muscular corset alternate with incendiary dance movements to energetic music. The theme of training is changing. Every day - a new set of exercises.
Babies
At the VDNKh skating rink it is fun and interesting for everyone. On weekends from 12:00 to 15:00 in the children's area of the ice arena, kids are greeted by bright and energetic characters from the most popular and beloved cartoons. They teach kids the basics of skiing. With their help, children play the "Train Engine". They take part in various competitions and fun. You can take pictures with the heroes of fairy tales.
Visiting a fairy tale
In anticipation of Christmas, the skating rink is dressing up. He is preparing to meet the children, who will soon begin their winter holidays. The ice arena will be interesting not only for schoolchildren. For older visitors, the administration of the ice rink is preparing a lot of pleasant surprises. There are living statues on the alleys. Unusual decorative installations appear. Actors in outrageous costumes fill the main routes of the ice rink.
In the evenings, the ice arena is lit up with a myriad of neon lights. Loud music starts to play. The movement is alive. Photozones work. The animation team arranges competitions and always awards the winners.
Reviews about the ice rink at VDNKh
For several years of work, the complex has acquired a lot of loyal fans. They come here every year to go ice skating with a breeze. Visitors like the colorful design of the ice arena. They are grateful to the staff and instructors of the rink. They say that the staff is always friendly and ready to help. The area of the ice rink is simply huge, and entertainment is provided for every taste.
Advantages of the ice arena at VDNKh:
- a huge and interestingly designed area;
- good lighting;
- great service;
- possibility of sharpening skates;
- lots of fun for adults and kids;
- live music;
- dance lessons;
- luggage storage.
As always, there were some downsides. Not all guests of the ice arena share enthusiastic opinions. They point to the following negative points they encountered during their visit:
- poor ice quality even at the very beginning of the shift;
- high ticket prices;
- long queues at the box office;
- old and battered skates in rental shops;
- lack of car parking;
- crowded locker rooms;
- high cost of food in eateries.
A lot of claims come to the organization of the process of changing clothes and changing shoes of visitors. The rooms are cold. After skiing, the shoes in the storage rooms are literally in a frozen state. Wearing it is very unpleasant.
Falls related to poorice quality. They say that there are holes on it with a depth of about 5 centimeters. The sides are always crowded.
