NEW ARTICLES EVERY MONTH
January 2010
Sliding in Winter
Do clouds of breath, red cheeks, the clinking and scraping of the blades take you back to your past? It was not so long ago that you could skate every winter with your parents waiting with flasks of hot chocolate to help give you and your tired legs a second wind.
Today, ice skating is once again very popular. The Rockefeller Center in New York has led the way. Nowadays, almost every city has an ice rink. But if you feel claustrophobic on the city rink, you can head off to your local frozen ponds or lakes and relive those childhood times (but pay close attention to the warnings about the ice thickness!).
The best way to enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of ice skating is to go with friends or family. If it has been years since you have skated and you are out of practice, ice games played with several people will help you get back your skating finesse. Get into a long line and grab your neighbours’ hands – the better skaters should be on the ends and the slower ones on the middle. In this way, you support each other when taking your initial skating steps. For your first skating exercise, push forward for a long glide or use a ski pole or walking stick as an aid.
Experienced skaters also melt with excitement for other icy activities. It does not have to be exactly like “White Turf”, that famous horse race on the frozen St. Moritz Lake, but a fast slalom race or a game of ice hockey will certainly guarantee a party mood. Those who like sliding on ice, but don’t trust the blades should reach for the broom. This is a piece of equipment used for the sport of curling, the ice version of boules. Instead of the professional stones, you can glide medium-sized cooking pots filled with snow and ice across a groomed ice rink toward the goal.
When the cold gets into your cheeks, nothing heats you up better than a glass of hot mulled wine, fruit punch, hot chocolate and a tasty biscuit to go with it. A small fire of brushwood or logs is particularly warming and sets a wonderful mood just as it’s getting dark. Why not roast bread or grill a bratwurst over it? Great fun for young and old alike! Also, don’t forget a cosy warm blanket for the spectators and for yourself during breaks. Incidentally, thick layers of clothing not only keep you warm but protect you in case of minor falls.
Here’s wishing you a great time on the ice!
