The largest artificial skating rink in the world. How the largest skating rink in the world works The largest artificial skating rink in the world
A skating rink has opened at VDNKh in Moscow, which may be included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most big skating rink with artificial ice.
The area of ice cover on it is 20.5 thousand sq.m. 4.5 thousand people can skate comfortably on it.
« This is an exclusive world-class skating rink“said Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. He also noted high level technical equipment complex.
The most important thing about the skating rink is its 11 refrigeration units. The ice surface is created using 150 tons of refrigerant, which is transmitted through ice-mat tubes, the total length of which is 430 km.
Modern resource-saving and energy-efficient technologies were used in the construction of the ice complex. In the evening, the ice is colored by 100,000 LED modules.
The ice entertainment complex is divided into 6 main zones:
– free skiing area;
– alley of infinity;
- lovers' alley;
– big circle;
- hockey field;
- children's area.
In addition, the skating rink has pavilions for changing clothes, six rental points for skates and other equipment, two first-aid posts, five cafes and toilets.
Russian oppositionist and popular blogger Alexey Navalny calculated that a total of 762,649,560 rubles were spent on the arrangement of the winter entertainment ice complex at VDNKh.
The price for entering the skating rink is 200-400 rubles, skate rental is free. On the opening day, November 28, 150 thousand people came to VDNH to skate. So that there is no crowding in all areas of the complex automated system, which blocks the ticket office when 4.5 thousand people are on the ice at the same time.
The largest artificial skating rink at VDNKh is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 11 pm with a two-hour break for filling the ice.
There are already other ice records in the Guinness Book of Records. For example, .
Every person tries to diversify their life with various hobbies: some people love to read books while lying on the sofa, and some like active types of recreation. For example, in winter you can go to the skating rink and once again enjoy racing around the beautiful ice on skates. And if you do this at the largest skating rink, where there is plenty of space and enough for many, then the impressions will be even greater. Where is the largest skating rink in the world and what are its dimensions?
The largest skating rink in the world opened in the capital of our country in 2014 - at VDNKh. Its area is 20,500 m2. According to this parameter, the skating rink at VDNKh by 1300 m2 surpassed the previous record holder in terms of area - the skating rink in the Netherlands (FlevOnice). Thus, the main skating rink in Russia is also the largest among those skating rinks that exist in the world.
The skating rink was created divided into several zones: there is an area for free skating, a children's and hockey playground, the Alley of Lovers, the Great Circle and the Alley of Infinity. Therefore, every visitor here will find a place that he likes. Those wishing to enter the skating rink will have to pay 200 rubles or more, but here you can rent skates absolutely free. The skating rink can accommodate up to 5,000 visitors at the same time.
This structure, repeating the outlines of the golden key from the famous fairy tale, was the result of the work of experienced professionals of the highest class. During its construction, modern and resource-saving technologies were used. The design of the skating rink resembles a layer cake. After all, they really poured it layer by layer, allocating a whole hour to a layer of several millimeters. Ice mats were used for the base of the skating rink, which help maintain a certain temperature. Therefore, up to a temperature of plus ten in the environment, you can still skate on ice.
In addition to its huge size, the skating rink also amazes with its lighting. And it is everywhere here - bridges, building facades, fences and even ice are illuminated from the inside using LEDs. The result is a beautiful light space. Everything here literally glows, every corner is illuminated. About a hundred surveillance cameras provide good supervision, and the “ice police”, which includes 40 people, are responsible for maintaining order. Thanks to screens and LEDs built into the surface, the skating rink can instantly turn into a kind of art object.
To create a real winter mood for people, the skating rink can be covered with artificial snow. This is especially true for New Year celebrations. All winter long, those interested can come here to learn the skills of figure skating or take master classes with a hockey athlete.
With the onset of cold weather, almost all world capitals are immersed in an atmosphere of winter magic, giving their squares and streets to ice arenas. Moreover, ice skating is one of the most popular and, perhaps, the most exciting winter activities.
Of course there are many indoor skating rinks, working all year round. But it’s much more interesting to ride outdoors, on frozen rivers or canals.
Airlife presents 18 of the most famous skating rinks in the world.
- New York, USA
- Yosemite National Park, California, USA.
- Seefeld, Austria
- Vienna, Austria
- Weissensee, Austria
- Paris, France
- Kinderdijk, Holland
- Toronto, Canada
- Banff Lake Louise Resort, Canada
- Ottawa, Canada
- London, Great Britain
- Lake Joux, Switzerland
- Medeo, Kazakhstan
- Berlin, Germany
- Brussels, Belgium
Go ice skating in Central Park , surrounded by picturesque trees and skyscrapers of Manhattan, is one of the most popular activities of citizens and guests of New York. It was poured for the first time in 1949, and to this day it is filled year after year. If you've never been to New York, you might have seen it in the movies. It is on this skating rink that the heroes of almost all films set in winter New York spin.
Ice skating rink Rockefeller Center- one of the main symbols of the city, especially popular during the holiday seasons, from November to January. The expensive tickets to this skating rink are worth it.
This one is open ice rink V Yosemite park is not only one of the largest, but also one of the most beautiful in the world, with the towering silhouette of the granite Half Dome Mountain in the background. It is worth noting that the tradition of organizing ice skating in this park dates back to 1928. It was then that the staff of the nature park first decided to flood the abandoned car park with water.
Quiet Tyrolean village can compete with the best international ski resorts. All conditions for winter sports have been created here, first of all, alpine skiing. However, those who still have strength left after skiing are invited to the skating rink, open from December to March in Ziller Valley.
“Ice Dream” fully lives up to its name: here you can not only skate to music (from waltzes to jazz and disco), but also race at speed (415 meters of tracks) and even play curling on one of the six courts. And all this is against the backdrop of the magnificent city hall building. And don't forget about Viennese delicacies and mulled wine!
Initially, it is worth noting that Weissensee is one of the cleanest and deepest lakes on Earth, and in winter it is the largest skating rink of the old world. The water is so clean that it was awarded the international Tourism for Tomorrow Award. The skating rink has an area of 6.5 square meters. kilometers, where you can speed up decently on skates.
Winter skating rink on Eiffel Tower - a good old tradition. The ice premiere took place back in 1969, but ice is not poured every year. If you are lucky enough to attend the opening of the skating rink, you will have a unique opportunity to skate at a height of 57 meters.
An equally popular French skating rink opens to everyone on the square every year before Christmas. in front of the famous city hall- one of the attractions of Paris.
Sleepy village in 15 kilometers from Rotterdam famous for its windmills. Located along the canals, they serve not only to pump out incoming water ( most of Holland lies below sea level), but also picturesque landscape for a winter skating rink.
It’s easy to guess that there are dozens of open skating rinks in Toronto – the climate not only allows it, but strongly recommends it! One of them - at Nathan Phillips Square- represents a practical and witty solution: in summer it is a rather pretentious fountain, and in winter it is a cozy skating rink, under the “arches of freedom” it is pleasant to cross in the brilliance of the evening lights. Hockey is prohibited here, but illegal games of shinny (a street version of hockey) often start after 10 pm, when the skating rink keepers leave their post.
This skating rink forms when it freezes lake lake louise, surrounded by mountains. No wonder beautiful landscape adorns many Canadian postcards. The resort itself is a 2-hour drive from Calgary.
When heading to Canada's capital, don't forget to bring your skates. in winter Rideau Canal, connecting Ottawa and Kingston, turns into one of the world's longest skating rinks, stretching across almost the entire city center.
Rivers in Great Britain have not frozen for many years in a row, but ice skating is very popular among residents of Foggy Albion. The best skating rinks are traditionally filled in the most beautiful historical places— near museums, fortresses, squares. The skating rink in South Kensington has become favorite place for lovers of skiing and fits perfectly into the city panorama.
Hampton Court is a beautiful tourist attraction, and in winter it turns into an ice skating rink for romantic couples. There is beautiful lighting, a bright carousel, the smell of hot chocolate, as well as appropriate music.
Transforms into Europe's largest natural ice skating rink Lake Joux in Switzerland. True, it does not work for long, since the lake freezes only for 2-3 winter weeks. But during this period, it hosts figure skating competitions, as well as ice carnival evenings.
Kazakhstan has the highest mountain skating rink in the world, which allows it to delight residents and guests of the country for six months. This skating rink is located in sports complex"Medeo", near Almaty. Height at its location ( Medeo mountains) 1,691 meters above sea level, and the area of the ice field is 10.5 square meters. km.
If you find yourself in Berlin in winter, you can have a great time at the outdoor skating rink on Potsdamer Platz. The skating rink itself is not very large - 40 x 15 meters, but it is one of the attractions of the German capital during the cold season. To the ice skating rink, the organizers decided to add the Winterwelt winter amusement park with a 70-meter snow slide, from which you can ride both sleds and skis.
Elegant Brussels invites you to take a ride on one of the main squares of the city, which bears the ancient name of the square Fish market. Besides great ice and the invariably cheerful Brussels residents (by the way, who navigate the skating rink very professionally), the skating rink offers a lot of entertainment in the surrounding area.
Where would you go for ice skating?
Skating rink at Constitution Square in Mexico City
The largest ice skating rink in the world has been filled since 2007 before the New Year on one of central squares Mexican capital. Its area exceeds 3,200 square meters and can accommodate up to 14 thousand people per day. Having become a landmark of Mexico City, this ice skating rink, located in Plaza Socalo, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest flood skating rink.
Skating rink in a country with a hot climate
It is a very difficult task to fill an outdoor skating rink in Mexico, a country with a very hot climate. To maintain the required temperature, special devices were created and connected to pipes (a total of 84 meters) running under the ice.
Opening of a skating rink in Mexico City
Mexico City celebrated the opening of the skating rink with a grandiose colorful show, which was visited by thousands of city residents and tourists. A slide made of artificial snow was built next to it, delighting holiday visitors with sledding, and they also built a fifty-meter New Year tree with a diameter of 20 meters. Famous show business stars performed at the five-hour New Year's performance, professional figure skaters delighted with their New Year's program, and a choir of 300 children performed Christmas songs.
A memorable New Year's project
According to the mayor of Mexico City, $1.5 million was spent on this long-remembered New Year's project for residents and guests of the city, and the skating rink was built with funds donated by a group of Mexican businessmen. Entrance to the skating rink is free for absolutely everyone. In addition, skates are also available for rent free of charge, although this requires a lot of standing in a long line. huge amount those wishing to visit the record-breaking skating rink.
This year the skating rink at VDNKh is recognized The World Record Academy is the largest artificial ice skating rink in the world. Its area is 20,549 square meters and can accommodate 4.5 thousand people. The Village learned how ice appears on the asphalt, what people do at the skating rink at night, how skates are sharpened, and what complaints people go to the first-aid post with.
What does the skating rink consist of and how much does it cost?
The skating rink at VDNKh has been operating for three years now. All this time, the Russian Ice company has been installing and maintaining the skating rink. “At first we made a skating rink in Gorky Park, and then we were invited here. We assessed our strength and decided that we could work on two skating rinks at the same time,” says company representative Alexander Morozov. According to him, Russian Ice is the only company in Russia that can make skating rinks of this scale. In the first year of operation, the cost of the skating rink and all related structures was 762 million rubles. This year, according to The Village, its value is close to 400 million rubles.
The skating rink at VDNKh occupies the entire Main Alley: it begins immediately behind pavilion No. 1 and goes around the “Stone Flower” and “Friendship of Peoples” fountains. Nearby there is a children's skating rink and a hockey rink where amateur teams can come. You can walk around the ice area, or you can walk over it along pedestrian bridge"Northern lights".
The main skating rink has five pavilions that house skate rentals and locker rooms. You can have a snack at mobile food outlets or in a restaurant, where you can wear skates and offer slippers. An adult ticket costs from 300 to 600 rubles, and skate rental will cost 150 rubles.
How the cooling system works
The artificial surface of the skating rink consists of a cold transfer surface designed to transport cold liquid (coolant), a refrigeration unit and a collector.
The entire skating rink is divided into seven sections, which serve 11 refrigeration units. Foreman monitor their uninterrupted operation and maintain the required temperature. In the operating mode of the skating rink, the installation cools the coating to minus 5 degrees, and during the period of pouring ice - to minus 8 degrees.
Ethylene glycol, a colorless and odorless liquid, acts as a transporter of cold. The refrigeration unit cools the coolant, which enters the manifold under pressure (about 20 tons per section), and from there to the surface of the skating rink. This is how the system is activated: ethylene glycol spreads through the tubes over the entire coverage area and begins to freeze.
Half of the surface of the skating rink at VDNKh is covered with ice mats - a special sheet of tubes through which coolant is distributed. Such mats can be used anywhere: they are used to make indoor and open skating rinks, hockey boxes and ice arenas. The other half of the skating rink is based on a proprietary tube system. The operating principle is the same, but here each pipe is unwound and welded to the collector separately. The work is labor-intensive, but the quality of the ice is better, Morozov notes.
The liquid constantly circulates in the tubes under the ice; the pumps do not stop. “We constantly monitor ethylene glycol levels. If it falls, it means there is a leak somewhere, and we need to look for it,” the workers say. If the ice layer is too thin, skaters can break through the tube with a skate, and then a small fountain will spill onto the surface - a mini-accident must be quickly eliminated. This can also happen during sudden temperature changes from minus 5 to minus 15 degrees: cracks appear on the ice into which a skate can get caught.
How to maintain a skating rink
The skating rink is closed on Mondays. All this day, as well as at night, work on building up the ice takes place: during the day, workers water the surface with water from hoses, and at night they are replaced by five Olympia ice-filling machines. The skating rink is serviced around the clock by three teams, each with 12–15 people, and a fleet of special equipment.
The same machines operate on the skating rink during the daily technical break from 15 to 17 hours. After it starts, water, preheated to 60–70 degrees, is poured into the 800-liter Olympia bunker and the car is sent onto the ice. She cuts off a one and a half millimeter layer of ice, removing cracks and cuts from the skates, and at the same time floods the surface with hot water - the new ice becomes much stronger and turns out perfectly smooth.
When it snows, the skating rink operates three tractors and four snow blowers, which workers call “snow spitters.” To drive special equipment, you need to have a category C driving license. Alexey, who is working on an ice-filling machine during our visit, says that he likes it.
How does rental work?
3,700 pairs of skates are used for rental. The smallest size is 25, and the largest is 48. The main batch of skates was purchased three years ago, and since then some have been periodically updated. Before this season, 15% of rental pairs were renewed, and after the end, every third pair of skates can be written off. To make skates last longer, they are periodically dried, treated with antiseptics, insoles and laces are changed if necessary, and, of course, sharpened.
Sharpening points are located in separate rooms of the rental pavilions. There are five automatic machines installed here. The sharpening works like this: the blade is fixed to the moving part of the machine, which moves along the edge of the rapidly rotating sharpening stone. Depending on the degree of wear of the blade, several such passes are required to sharpen it.
How do the instructors and the first aid station work?
At the skating rink you can see many people in red and gray uniforms - these are instructors. They monitor order, speed of skaters and traffic safety. On this skating rink, like most others, it is customary to skate counterclockwise. “Why exactly? Maybe the tradition of driving on the right played a role, or maybe the direction of traffic in stadiums. When everyone is going in the same direction, it is much easier to avoid collisions,” they say at the skating rink.
Among the instructors there are experts in teaching visitors the basics of ice skating. An hour of individual lessons costs a thousand rubles. If a skating rink visitor needs health care, he can also contact the instructors. They will escort him to the first aid station, and in extreme cases, take him on a special sleigh.