Six weeks of skating on the Markt, run by volunteers
Harderwijk op IJs turns the Markt into a rink every winter and has offered six weeks of skating there for young and old since its first edition. It is run by a board, more than 150 volunteers and numerous sponsors.
Fridays bring Disco on Ice, with a block for ages 5 to 11 followed by one for ages 12 and up. On Saturday mornings children up to 4 years old have a block of their own, and the club Schaatsvereniging Viking gives free lessons for children from 5. On some days figure skaters in historical costume give a nostalgic skating show.
Since the 14th edition the organisers have also introduced Johan Cruijff's 14 rules to the children who skate there, and Pucky the penguin sometimes visits the ice.
Before you head out.
Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.
Admission
A ticket costs 8 euro per person with skates included, valid for one skating block; a 10-ride card costs 72 euro (ten rides for the price of nine) and can be used for the whole season. Some blocks are half price.
Skates are included in the ticket. Visitors bringing their own skates must use hockey or figure skates; noren are not allowed in the free-skating blocks.
Gloves are compulsory on the ice. Penguins help beginners along, and a parent may go on the ice with a child during the toddler block for ages up to 4.