VDNKh Park
Biggest, best, busiest
This is the quintessential ice rink, Russia's largest, covering more than 20,000 square meters with capacity of almost 5,000 skaters. This does have a downside — it gets busy, so on weekends come early when the lines are shorter and when you can rent your exact size skates. Tickets are 300-550 rubles ($5.50-8) depending on the day, with weekends more expensive. Instructors are available, and there is a separate rink for younger ice fanatics, too. Important: the rink closes between 3 and 5 p.m. for an ice service break!
vdnh.ru
119 Prospect Mira,
Metro VDNKh
Gorky Park
Miles of LED-lit paths
This is a rink where it is actually possible to get lost as you fly along the miles of little paths snaking through the territory. To keep your spirits elated, you can sing along with the Christmas classics sung by folks like Mariah Carey and blasted through the speakers. Tired legs and ready for a break? Treat yourself some (alcohol free) mulled wine and Russian blinis at one of many little kiosks throughout the park. Important: the rink closes between 3 and 5 p.m. for an ice service break!
park-gorkogo.com
9 Ulitsa Krymsky Val,
Metro Park Kultury and Oktyabrskaya
Red Square
Skating under the Kremlin walls
This might not be the biggest rink in Moscow, but not everyone can say, "I skated on Red Square — what did you do this winter?" This rink works a little differently from the others: only 450 people are allowed on the rink at a time, and you buy a ticket for an hour. It's also a bit more expensive, with tickets costing 400-500 rubles ($6-7.50) and skate rental 300 ($5.50). But who doesn't want to skate past St. Basil's Cathedral?
gum.ru
Red Square/GUM,
Metro Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii
Patriarch's Ponds
Skating into a fairy tale
This is a rink on a real pond, so it will only be open for skating when the temperatures drop well below freezing and stay there. But if the weather permits, skating around the pond with some of Moscow's most lovely buildings around you is like entering a fairy tale.
3 Patriarshy Pereulok,
Metro Mayakovskaya
Sokolniki Park
Speed skater heaven
Sokolniki Park has the longest operating hours — 10 a.m. to midnight — and a special super high-speed skating session every Thursday from 10 p.m. to midnight when you can let it rip. For two hours of skating, weekday prices are 250 rubles ($3.50) and weekend prices are 350 rubles ($3.50). Skate rental is a reasonable 200 rubles ($3).
park.sokolniki.com
1/1 Sokolnichesky Val,
Metro Sokolniki
