Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
266
Extreme Sports
St. Petersburg offers a surprising number of options for thrill-seekers. Tandpem
paragliding flights are available at the Uglovo airfield for a bargain 800 rubles
(
&
812/298-3751;
www.glide.ru), and tandem sky-dives at the Kasimovo
aerodrome from 4,600 rubles (
&
921/865-6696;
www.skydiving.ru). Alterna-
tively, real extremists (or the outright bonkers) might like to try a parachute
jump with Sosnoborsky Aeroclub: a short distance from the nuclear power
plant of the same name. Tandem jump with instructor run 4,500 ruble, April to
October only (
&
813/692-5804;
www.kummolovo.ru/eng/).
SKIING
The forests around St. Petersburg are a paradise for cross-country skiers, but downhill
options are limited to resorts a few hours out of town. Some dedicated city residents
skate-ski through the lanes of the bigger city parks, such as Victory Park. Cross-country
ski rentals are available adjacent to the palace at Tsarskoye Selo, for royal rural sightseeing
(see chapter 17 for details).
11
SPECTATOR SPORTS
In addition to the venues mentioned below, check the schedules of
Yubileiny Sports
Palace,
18 Prospekt Dobrolyubova (
&
812/323-9315;
metro: Sportivnaya); and
Kre-
stovsky Sports Complex,
Primorsky Park Pobedy, with its main entrance on Krestovsky
Ostrov (island;
&
812/235-1688;
metro: Krestovsky Ostrov) for a variety of sporting
events throughout the year.
14
FIGURE SKATING
Russia is one of the world's premier figure skater factories and St. Petersburg has produced
many of the country's top skaters. Check out the schedule at the
Ice Palace (Ledovy
Dvorets),
1 Prospekt Pyatiletok (
&
812/718-6620;
www.newarena.spb.ru; Metro: Ledovy
Dvorets). Otherwise, come during one of the figure skating tournaments, which are held
in January and February. See the International Skating Union website for details (www.
isu.org).
HOCKEY
Ice hockey is a crucial sport in this northern city. Viewing the big matches became a lot
more pleasant with the construction of the Ice Palace/Ledovy Dvorets (see above for
contact information) for the 2000 Hockey World Cup. For more casual viewing pleasure,
come in winter and visit the bigger city parks, where a match is nearly always underway
on the ponds. Tickets for the Ice Palace are available at the palace itself or at theater ticket
kiosks around town (called
kassa,
spelled KACCA in Russian).
