Where can I ice skate a canal in or near Amsterdam?

January 6, 2009 11:59 AM

I'm visiting Amsterdam this winter, and I'd love to go for a pretty afternoon skate on a frozen canal, like so. How can I go about it?
posted by paul_smatatoes to Travel & Transportation around Amsterdam, The Netherlands (12 answers total)

By the looks of it, it's a relatively informal affair. Leidseplein for example offers ice-skating when conditions suit ; just turn up with your skates (or rent some there).

Here's a 2008-2009 list I found.
posted by sektah at 12:08 PM on January 6, 2009

Sorry, ignore my last link - that applies to rinks only. My apologies!
posted by sektah at 12:08 PM on January 6, 2009

There are lots of canals that are skateable, but that picture is not in Amsterdam. They don't have those cute windmills except for in the agricultural boondocks.

I think you should just ask some locals -- this is the first year in a long while that A-dam has gotten cold enough to do this, so lots of people have been jazzed up about it.
posted by zpousman at 12:13 PM on January 6, 2009

Response by poster: sektah, that first link says it hasn't been cold enough in years. boo! I really wanted the canal-in-windmill-country scene.
posted by paul_smatatoes at 12:14 PM on January 6, 2009

Be aware that good ice conditions like the ones in the photo may be relatively rare, so you may have to do some driving before you find a place worth skating on.
posted by 517 at 12:17 PM on January 6, 2009

Response by poster: zpousman, I figured I might have to get out of town a ways (towards Gronigen, maybe?) and I figure I can do a half-day trip for it, given my schedule (say, 1 hr out of town). Would Kinderdijk be a good spot?
posted by paul_smatatoes at 12:19 PM on January 6, 2009

Response by poster: (yes, I am aware Kinderdijk and Gronigen are in different directions. Just two possible areas I might end up in.)
posted by paul_smatatoes at 12:20 PM on January 6, 2009

Best answer: My first post (joined so I could put my two Euro-cents in on your question), so forgive me if I'm too wordy.

Please be aware that this is the first time in more than a decade that canals have been freezing over, so hundreds of people who are not accustomed to canal skating have been taking to the few frozen canals and winding up injured (falls, broken bones, cuts). It would also be worth checking with the local authority to be sure that your chosen canal has been tested for safety (ice at least 5cm thick) - you don't want to go for an impromptu swim.

Seconding asking a local. Skating is - together with cycling - the most popular sport in the Netherlands, so most Dutch people should be able to advise you or point you in the right direction. In case you're in the unlikely situation of someone not understanding what you're after, you want to go natuurijsschaatsen (skating on natural ice) especially if there are molen (windmills) around.

I'm jealous... lived there for 8 years and never had the opportunity - enjoy it!
posted by pammeke at 12:39 PM on January 6, 2009

Sorry for the multiple posts, but I found an English-language article on the conditions at present. I don't mean to be an alarmist, just to set your expectations.
posted by pammeke at 12:47 PM on January 6, 2009

Response by poster: pammeke, that's awesome! just what I wanted, including the heads-up on the tricky ij. I'm going to look up pronunciation, but can you offer a sentence or two for renting skates and asking if to be pointed in the right direction? I know enough to apologize for my Dutch, but that won't get me any closer.

I used to skate on ponds and I'm hoping I can get my wife out there. Do people wear pads?
posted by paul_smatatoes at 2:32 PM on January 6, 2009

I'm terribly jealous too, pammeke. I lived there last year and being a figure skater, it was the one thing I was really disappointed to miss out on.

to the OP - do not worry about language - almost everyone will be able to help you in English. A friend sent some pictures of the ice through this week - some of the kids are wearing elbow and knee pads, if they have them.
posted by wingless_angel at 2:57 PM on January 6, 2009

Best answer: The Dutch are - in general - conversant in at least 4 languages (Dutch, English, French, and German), and are generally delighted to use their foreign languages out on tourists (or long-termers like me who still speak with obvious foreign accents). But the further outside of Amsterdam (and other major cities) you get, the English vocabulary can get a little spotty. Also - if you're having trouble making yourself understood, go with the British pronunciation. That can help, as British English is the standard taught in schools (although American films & television have filled most people in on "our" way of tawkin').

I'm rubbish at pronunciation guides, but here's my long-winded attempt:

Natuurijsschaatsen = Nat is pronounced as in English, uu is pronounced like the ooh in ooh la la, (r), ijs is pronounced like ice, sch is like an s followed by a guttural ch (like in Yiddish), aa is a long a sound, (t), sen as it would be pronounced in English

Molen = mole (like the creature) + en

If you're stuck, here are a couple of rough & simple phrases (in my "immigrant-Dutch" - native speakers, please accept my apologies!):

"Pardon, meneer/mevrouw (sir/madam) - waar kan ik ijschaatsen lenen?"
(Excuse me, sir/madam - where can I rent ice skates?)
"Waar kan ik even ijsschaatsen in het natuur, misschien bij de molen?"
(Where can I ice skate in nature, perhaps near windmills?)

If you're with your wife, you could say "kunnen wij" rather than "kan ik". People may very well respond to you in English - you can always start out with: "Pardon, meneer/mevrouw - spreekt u Engels misschien?" (Excuse me, sir/madam - do you speak English?)

As for pads... In my experience as a people they aren't fond of safety equipment on bikes/skates/etc. But I'm sure such things are available, if you're able to withstand the peer pressure not to wear them.

I hope this is helpful! Oh, you're making me adopted-homesick...
posted by pammeke at 2:58 PM on January 6, 2009