Kaiserslautern on Ice opens tonight

Enthusiastic ice skaters will find ice-cold winter fun tonight at 6 p.m. when the Kaiserslautern on Ice season starts. For the sixth year, a mobile ice skating rink will be set up in the event hall of the Kaiserslautern Gartenschau. The 8,600-square-foot ice surface will be open until Feb. 14.

Kaiserslautern Sports Department Chief Peter Kiefer will officially open the ice skating rink at 6 p.m. today, followed by a show program. Starting at 7 p.m., visitors can test the rink for a reduced price of €2.

Throughout the skating season, a diversified program will be offered.

Santa Claus will make his appearance on ice and pass out gifts to children Dec. 6, which is when Ger-mans observe “Nikolaustag,” Santa Claus Day.

Every Friday afternoon, inexperienced skaters under the age of 14 can take their first steps on the ice with a licensed instructor. The ice skating rink also offers penguins as training aids for beginners for €2 per hour.

Those who do not have their own ice skates can rent some for €3.50 at the rink, which also offers blade sharpening for those who own skates.

To warm up cold fingers, rest the feet, take a break or watch ice skaters, visitors can sit down in the bistro area next to the ice surface.

School classes who want to spend their field trip or their sports lesson on the mobile ice skating rink can schedule a date and time. For details and to register a class, call 0631-710-0765.

Daily ice skating hours will be from 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. On Friday and Saturday nights, skating hours will be extended until 10 p.m.

Admission is €2.50 for children and €3.50 for adults.

For more information, pick up the Kaiserslautern on Ice flyer from the Kaiserslautern Tourist Information office next to the Fruchthalle building on Fruchthallstrasse. Flyers can also be found in local stores and restaurants.

For updates and news, visit www.kl-on-ice.de, www.facebook.de/kl-on-ice or www.kaiserslautern.de.