It’s Time for Skating! – City Park Ice Rink is Open

Skating season has officially begun in Budapest, as City Park Ice Rink (Városligeti Műjégpálya) opened on November 22. We took a look at changes, prices, and also the history of the building.

The biggest and most famous ice rink of the city opened on November 22, at 5 p.m.. It awaits visitors between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

City Park Ice Rink is the oldest still functioning ice rink in Europe, and the largest outdoor artificial ice.

The history of the ice rink dates back to 1870. After long and persistent negotiations, the City Council gave permission for the establishment of a skating rink on the lake of City Park. Back then, entry was free for the residents of Pest. In 1874, the wooden hut by the side of the lake burnt down; that’s when the building (still seen today) was built according to Ödön Lechner’s designs.

There are no major changes regarding prices: Monday and Tuesday will continue to be ”cheap”, on other days, last year’s prices are valid. For children under 6, access is free. The prices are the following: on ”cheap” days, a student ticket is 800 HUF, an adult ticket is 1.000 HUF. On normal days, it means 1.000 and 1.500 HUF in the morning, and 1.500 and 2.000 HUF in the afternoon. At weekends, it is the same: students can skate for 1.500 HUF, adults for 2.000 HUF.

For the fans of the sport, it is more worthwhile to have a seasonal ticket (for 12 occasions). The student version costs 11.500 HUF, the adult version costs 17.500 HUF, and for the pensioners, it is 8.500 HUF. Seasonal tickets are valid on every day, and it allows entry for more people at the same time. In addition, there is an allowance for school groups: for more than 10 people, admission only costs 300 HUF/person.

The services of the Ice Rink include skate sharpening, skate rental and teaching, too.

It is important, that for the allowances, the necessary passes are required.

The rental price also includes a locker. In case of an accident, there is a medical room, too.

During teaching, there is no age limit, but children have to be above 5. On weekdays, it starts at 5:30 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m.; at weekends, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.. A lesson lasts for 50 minutes, with the participation of at least 5 people. The price is 600 HUF.

based on article of welovebudapest.com
translated by Vivien Pásztai

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/mujegpalya.varosligeti

Source: http://welovebudapest.com/