Where to Go Skating in Moscow
Moscow offers a varied selection of outdoor skating rinks. The ice can be either natural or artificial (which remains frozen even when the temperature is above zero). Many venues have warm changing rooms, skates for rent, cafés with snacks and hot drinks, lighting in the evening, and music. Most rinks operate in sessions, with breaks in between to restore the ice. If you want the best ice, arrive at the beginning of a session. Here is an updated selection of the most notable and popular skating rinks in Moscow.
Red Square (GUM)
This is a relatively small and crowded rink with artificial ice, but in a perfect location in the very heart of Moscow with a view of the Kremlin. Next to the skating rink is the GUM Fair, one of the largest New Year's fairs in Moscow with lots of activities to explore. Skates are available to rent for 500 RUB.
Open from November 30 till February 29, every day, from 9 am till 11:30 pm. Capacity: 450 people.
Address: Red Square
Price: 600 – 1400 RUB. Free sessions (with your own skates) are available on weekdays (excluding New Year holidays) from 9 am till 2:30 pm.
Gorky Park
One of the most popular skating rinks in Moscow and the city’s largest (at over 22,000 sq. m). The artificial ice rink covers large spaces and pathways within Gorky Park. Skates are available to rent (400 RUB) and there is a hockey rink. There is also a food court that serves hot food and drinks. If there is a queue at the main entrance to the rink, try another one—there is usually more than one entrance.
Open Tue – Sun
Address: Gorky Park, central entrance. Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya metro stations.
Sessions: 10 am – 3 pm; 5 pm – 11 pm.
Price: 400 – 1100 RUB
Sokolniki
Every winter, the central area of Sokolniki Park is turned into a skating rink. The quality of the natural ice depends on the weather conditions, but entrance is free, and if you are just looking to spend a nice time in a winter park, this might be a good choice. Size: about 20,000 sq. m. Skates are available to rent for 400 RUB.
Open daily.
Address: Sokolniki Park, central entrance, Big Circle. Sokolniki metro station.
Sessions: 10 am – noon; 1 pm – 3 pm; 4 pm – 6 pm; 7 pm – 10 pm.
Price: free of charge.
VDNKh
The skating rink at VDNKh is one of the most popular spots in Moscow every winter. Its size is about 21,000 sq. m. Situated right in the middle of the park, the VDNKh skating rink offers a unique view of the beautiful Stalinist-style buildings. There is a food court on site and skates are available to rent for 500 RUB.
Open Tue – Sun
Address: VDNKH, central entrance. The rink is located between the two biggest fountains. VDNKH metro station.
Sessions: 11 am (10 am on weekends and holidays) – 3 pm; 5 pm – 11 pm.
Price: 400 – 800 RUB. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Hermitage Garden (Sad Ermitazh)
Year after year, this small rink in downtown Moscow remains popular among Muscovites. Two outdoor ice rinks operate annually—an all-weather artificial rink (900 sq. m.) and a historical one with a natural surface (4,000 sq. m.). Warm locker rooms, skate rental and skate assistants can be found next to both rinks. Skates are available for rent (200 RUB for the first hour, 100 RUB for every subsequent hour).
Open daily.
Address: 3 Karetny Ryad Ulitsa, building 7. Tverskaya, Pushkinskaya, or Chekhovskaya metro stations.
Sessions: 10 am – noon; 1 pm – 4 pm; 5 pm – 8 pm; 9 pm – 11 pm;
Price: 300 – 400 RUB. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Mechtateli in Luzhniki
This skating rink is not as popular as the rinks in the main parks, so it is less crowded. But the ice is good, even though it is natural, and is conveniently located close to a metro station. Its size is about 16,000 sq.m. There is a food court on site and skates are available to rent for 450 RUB.
Open Tue – Sun
Address: 24 Luzhniki Ulitsa, building 7. Vorobievy Gory metro station.
Sessions:
Weekdays: 4:30 pm – 7 pm; 8 pm – 10:30 pm.
Weekends: 10 am – noon; 1 pm – 3:30 pm; 4:30 pm – 7 pm; 8 pm – 10:30 pm.
Price: 500 – 700 RUB. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Tagansky Park
This artificial skating rink is about 4,600 sq. m in size, making it perfect for those who are just taking their first steps in skating. There is a cafe near the rink and skates are available to rent for 350 RUB.
Open daily.
Address: 40–42 Taganskaya Ulitsa. Taganskaya metro station.
Sessions: 10 am – noon; 1 pm –3 pm; 5 pm – 7 pm; 8 pm – 10 pm.
Price: 350 – 470 RUB. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Izmailovsky Park
This skating rink is the largest in the eastern part of Moscow. It is 11,300 sq. m in size. The rink is located near the main entrance to the park and there are many cafes nearby. Skates are available to rent for 300 RUB.
Open daily.
Address: 4 Moskovskiy Prospekt, building 2.
Sessions: 10 am – noon; 1 pm – 3 pm; 4 pm – 6 pm; 7 pm – 10 pm (11 pm on Fri – Sun and holidays);
Price: 400 – 700 RUB. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Text by Maxim Lukianenko and Alexander Tkachenko, bachelor’s students of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication, interns at the HSE University English website team