Glide across the ice: here you can skate in Zwolle

Skating at an indoor ice rink

Are you not averse to cold, but you are averse to rain? Then visit an indoor ice rink! It's not the same as indoor skating, but this way you can be sure that you won't be drowned at the rink. In the middle of Zwolle's city center, on the Rodetorenplein, you will find an indoor skating rink of over 400m2 in December. All kinds of activities are also organized here, such as disco skating. With music in the background and brightly colored lights on the rink, skating becomes even more fun!

Are you shivering from the cold after skating? The catering establishments around the Rodetorenplein, such as Las Rosas or De Belgische Keizer, will provide you with a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream or a nice hot snack. Then you'll be warmed up again in no time! Keep a close eye on the Facebook page of Schaatsen in de stad, because unfortunately skating on the Rodetorenplein in Zwolle was not possible in 2021 and 2022.

Skating on a natural ice rink

Do you want to skate in Zwolle on a natural ice rink? Then go to IJsvereniging WVF, because the ice rink here is almost 3 hectares large! That means endless rounds of skating and pirouettes. Do you feel like bambi on smooth ice and pirouettes are too much to ask? Bring a chair to hold on to while you skate. Yes, you can do that even if you are an adult.

Good to know: WVF organizes competitions during the skating season, a hexathlon and a roller-skating-skeel tour for kids in the fall break, among other things. On the website WVF indicates daily during the winter months whether they are open. So keep a close eye on it as soon as the winter coat, scarf and gloves are needed again and the temperature drops below freezing.

Skating on natural ice

Nature ice](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/198972-1638458893/C200X200/Schaatsen+Arjen+Keppels+credits.jpeg) Prefer to skate a round in Zwolle on natural ice? Zwolle's canals turn into beautiful ice rinks during the winter, where city residents and visitors alike gather to enjoy the old-fashioned charm of skating on natural ice. Glide over the frozen canals, skate under old bridges and admire the historic buildings at the edge of the canals. The cozy lights adorning the docks and the smell of hot chocolate from nearby cafes complete the picture!

The water around the parks in Zwolle is also perfect for a round of skating in winter. Bring a thermos with coffee or tea, strap on your skates and enjoy this wonderful winter world! Before you go skating on natural ice, check whether the ice is thick enough. Not sure how thick the ice needs to be before you can skate? According to KNMI, ice has to be 4 to 5 centimeters thick to support a grown man. Are you going on the ice with a lot of people? Then the ice must be 27 centimeters thick.

More of a sun worshipper? Summer is also perfect for discovering Zwolle from the water! For example, rent a boat, go supping or paddle a canoe through the canals.

Sharpening skates or buying skates in Zwolle

If you want to be well equipped, it is smart to sharpen your skates before the skating season starts. Then you will glide over the ice a lot easier. Sharpen your skates in Zwolle at van Rossum IJzerhandel or Scholten Fietsgoed. Looking for a new pair of skates? Get them also at Scholten Fietsgoed or pop into Reuvers Sport on Assendorperstraat. Then glide through Zwolle's winter wonderland with everyone!