Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
158
ICE SKATING
Gorky Park
(p. 150) floods its main lanes in the winter, turning them into a rough but
exhilarating open-air skating zone. You can rent skates here for 150 rubles. The ponds at
Patriarch's Ponds
(p. 151) and Chistiye Prudy (see the “Walking Tour” at the end of this
chapter) also are transformed into free skating rinks in winter, though you need your own
skates; if the winter has been mild, be sure the ice is thick before you try.
Red Square now has a skating rink in winter, too, though the ice is artificial (
&
495/
788-4343;
250 rubles entry, 250 rubles rental).
Note:
At most Moscow rinks, you must leave a deposit of about 1,000 rubles to rent
skates.
IN
LINE SKATING
Victory Park
(p. 151) has the smoothest paths for in-line skating and several good slopes
for an afternoon workout. The lanes around Moscow State University and its lookout
point are great for the view. Skating on city sidewalks is not advised, as they're usually
too crowded and Muscovites have little experience with dodging skaters.
JOGGING
Moscow's air quality and sidewalk disrepair is such that jogging through your hotel
neighborhood would be crueler to your body than it would be kind. Any parks men-
tioned in this topic can offer good running routes. There's also a great path along the river
beneath Sparrow Hills (Vorobyoviye Gory), which run along the south side of the Mos-
cow River where it forms a loop beneath Moscow State University; and another along the
Moscow River behind the
Ukraina
hotel. Running during daylight hours is recom-
mended. Casual joggers may get a few stares, since the only Russians who run for fun are
generally current or former athletes.
7
SKIING
Moscow has several downhill ski slopes, believe it or not. They are small and crowded
and not cheap, but a fun way to take advantage of wintry weather. Most accessible are
those at Krylatskoye (metro: Krylatskaya) and Bitsevsky Park (metro: Bitsevo). All offer
basic equipment rental, including snowboards. Cross-country skiing options are endless.
Izmailovsky Park
(p. 151), Bitsevsky Park (directly south of the city center, accessible by
metro station Bitsevo), Losiny Ostrov (a tranquil, wooded mass that covers the northeast
corner of the city map; best reached by taxi), and Sokolniki (near the metro station
Sokolniki) are just some of the spots within city limits where you can get in a few hours
of skiing without spotting a vehicle. Basic ski rentals are available at Sokolniki and Bit-
sevsky. A package of cross-country skis, boots, and poles rents for 400 to 500 rubles. The
website www.mski.ru is in Russian only but has a good readable map of skiing sites to
get you oriented.
12
SPECTATOR SPORTS
FIGURE SKATING
Russia is still a breeding ground for world-class skaters, though the top Russian names
now train in North America or Europe. The local, regional, and international champion-
ships held here showcase some stars-in-waiting, and you might even glimpse a future
