Slip-sliding away at the Kremlin

Ever thought of doing a spot of rigorous exercise while sightseeing? Well now’s your chance. Get on down to Red Square from Sunday and you can skate the day away while enjoying panoramic views of the Kremlin.

At Saturday’s opening, national figure skating stars and showbiz celebrities rubbed shoulders on the ice before the nation’s media. From Sunday the ice rink will be open to the public.

It’s the third year that a 3,000 square metre ice rink has been constructed in the centre of Russia’s capital.

Up to 500 people at a time can enjoy the fun.  

This year the design theme is outer space: organisers decorated the rink with Soviet style illustrations of the 1960 and 70s, and humorous pictures on space-related topics.

A fantastic wooden fantasy town with changing rooms and cafes has been constructed near the skating rink.

On December 31, the site will host New Year celebrations. And at the beginning of January – when school children are on vacations – fir tree parties will be held there.

The list of entertainments planned includes concerts, festivals, performances and a hockey tournament.

Thanks to a unique cooling system installed under the ice, the skating facility is able to operate in temperatures above freezing.

The skating rink will be open daily from 10am till midnight until February 15, 2009.