Austria: 28th Ice Dream Invites to Ice Skating Activities in Vienna’s City Hall Park

From January 19 through March 5, 2023, the “28^th Vienna Ice Dream” takes place in Austria’s capital. Both beginners and experienced ice skaters can sled their laps on an ice surface totaling 8,500 square meters in front of the City Hall this year. Further ice paths lead through the adjacent City Hall Park. Atmospheric music, a show stage for live performances and numerous gastronomic offers round off the winter event, which is organized by Stadt Wien Marketing GmbH.

Since 2019, the “Sky Rink” – a mobile, two-level ice skating rink – has also been part of the Vienna Ice Dream: from the upper ice rink level, which has around 1,150 square meters, winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy a view over the event square. Another ice skating surface of 120 square meters is open to children for free use. Since last winter, Vienna Ice Dream has been using the ticketing and access system by Axess Ticketing, also offering “print@home” tickets, what has been leading to shorter waiting times at the box offices. Also, there is the option to purchase tickets for the ice rink landscape at self-service kiosks (model: “Ticket Kiosk 600” by Axess).

© © C. Jobst In addition, new energy-saving measures are being implemented this year. After the ice surface was larger than ever last year with a total of 9,500 square meters, this time the surface was reduced by around ten percent to some 8,500 square meters. The refrigeration system technology in use has also been completely renewed, and the waste heat generated by the refrigeration machines will be used to heat the skate rental shop. Thanks to these and further measures, it will be possible to save around 20 percent of the previous energy consumption, according to official figures. In addition, the Vienna Ice Dream has been hold as an “ECOEvent” since 2020, meaning that it generates a hundred percent of its electricity from hydropower. (eap)