Tallinn's municipal ice rinks open for the new skating season
The first city-run ice rinks in Tallinn, Estonia's capital, opened on Saturday, October 31. More rinks will open in the coming weeks.
The skating season has started in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, as the first municipally run ice rinks welcomed visitors over the weekend. On Saturday, October 31, the rinks in the Mustamäe and Lasnamäe districts received their first skaters of the winter. Several more are due to open in the weeks ahead, and the season will run into spring.
When the other rinks open
The Old Town rink is scheduled to open on November 14, and the one in Nõmme on November 21. The rink at the Pirita Sports Center, one of the city's largest, will open in late November or early December, depending on the weather.
Deputy Mayor Monika Haukanõmm said that although autumn is still under way, the ice maintenance crews have done a good job and the first rinks are ready to receive visitors.
Free sessions
This year, free sessions are also set aside for young people and seniors. Schools can use the rinks free of charge from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., though advance registration is required. Skates can be rented on site for a fee if needed. Tallinn's seniors can skate for free on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Schoolteachers in the city are being offered free skating courses so they can teach pupils to skate safely. Weekend mornings will feature events for children.
Prices and closing dates
An hour of skating costs between €7.20 and €11.40, while discounted tickets for children and seniors range from €4.90 to €9.20. Season passes giving unlimited access to all city-owned rinks are also available. Visitors may bring their own skates or rent them on site, with rental prices starting at €5.
The Old Town ice park will stay open until the end of March, while the other Tallinn rinks will close in mid-March. More information is available on the Uisupark website.
