The new ice skating rink at Ingólfstorg in downtown Reykjavík will be open starting tomorrow, December 1st. The temporary construction will be 400 meters long, covering most of the square where in the more seasonable months of the year, skateboarders and stunt bicyclists hang out and perform their tricks.
Ingólfstorg is an historic spot in the downtown area, where every Christmas there is a holiday market set up in small booths. Local artists and craftsmen sell their wares, which include handmade Christmas ornaments, knitted wool garments, and small souvenirs. Baked goods and hot chocolate are also to be found. This year, the holiday atmosphere will be amplified by the presence of the ice rink.
The rink, which is sponsored by telecommunications company Nova, in cooperation with Samsung, will be open until December 23 and skaters can enjoy the recreation for free. People can rent skates and helmets on location for 990 ISK and there will also be ice shoes for those less confident on actual skates. Opening hours will be from 12 until 8pm until Dec. 11th, and then from 12 to 10pm until the last day.
Other popular skating areas in the wintertime are the rink at Laugardalur and Tjörnin, when it is solidly frozen over.