Skating the Weissensee in Austria: these are the rules on the ice

Anyone can skate the Weissensee in Austria, but as almost everywhere there are rules. According to the ice team they are there for your own safety. Here they are.

The rules on the ice

• Wear protective gear as far as possible when you go onto the ice.

A helmet and gloves, for instance. A windproof, water-repellent skating jacket is just as welcome in the cold conditions.

• Some areas are closed off (Sperrzonen). Do not enter these zones; watch for the barriers.
• As a pedestrian you walk on the paths beside the skating track, and so not on the track itself.
• Ice hockey is only allowed on the specially designated and marked ice hockey areas.

The ice team, and good, swept ice

The rules come from the ice team that prepares the track on the Weissensee. Thanks to this team you can skate on good, swept ice.

Together with Weissensee Information the ice rules have been shared on natureislauf.at. There you can all the rules download (PDF in German).

For a loose translation you are in the right place here. We continue with a simple rule during a thaw: do not use the track.

Skating the Weissensee in Austria

No fewer than six thousand Dutch people a year go skating on the Weissensee in Austria.

These sporting enthusiasts have to stick to the rules on the ice. Such as, in addition:

• Dogs belong on a lead and not on the skating track.
• You skate clockwise; follow the direction arrows.
• Rubbish belongs only in the bins along the track.
• Keep your distance from clearing and emergency vehicles.
• Obey the instructions of the ice master and the team.

Every skater must behave on the ice so as not to put others in danger.

Finally there is a special rule for the extra 400 metre circuit. You may not go on it in hockey skates.

Ice update

From 30 December up to and including today the ice has been 30 cm thick, according to the available ice data. Are you reading this blog much later? Then look at the current ice thickness (blog dossier).