Bern ice rink – artificial black ice in front of the Federal Palace – does it have a future? – News

This year, for the first time, the Bernese ice rink operators have chosen plastic as the base – for reasons of energy saving.

The ice rink on the Bundesplatz has been an integral part of the Bernese winter for years. This year again, young and old can do their laps on the ice rink. Whereby: It is not about ice. It’s plastic – or, as the operators prefer to say, “synthetic ice”. “Plastic sounds negative,” says operator Philippe Gärtner. “Synthetic ice is a technology we can stand behind.”

We can stand behind this technology.

The operators decided this fall to rely on the technology that has been known in the USA for some time. Reason: the tense energy situation. “We wanted to be sure that we could also operate the system in the event of a power shortage,” says Gärtner.

This weekend, the reactions of the numerous visitors were mixed – but definitely benevolent. “It’s different,” says a younger woman from Bern, referring to the greater need for strength when driving on it. “Due to the current situation, this new ice cream certainly makes sense,” adds her colleague. A man who does a few laps with his daughter misses the “real” ice rink feeling. “But it’s definitely useful for the kids because they don’t get wet if they fall.”

It’s definitely useful for the kids because they don’t get wet if they fall.»

Families in particular would appreciate the ice cream, says operator Philippe Gärtner. However, he notes that fewer locals are using the ice rink this year. They would rather switch to real ice fields in the city. But the ice rink is a hit with tourists. “They appreciate not having to change clothes because they often don’t have much time.”

The bottom line is that enough people would use the rink to be able to operate the rink. It is free to use, only renting the ice skates costs money. There is also a restaurant. The ice can be used with normal ice skates.

Legend:

The ice rink was built for the first time in 2007 – back then there was real ice.

Keystone/Peter Schneider

According to the operators, this type of ice rink is more sustainable than a conventional one. However, they cannot prove it. It should also be borne in mind that the synthetic ice must also be produced, stored and transported to the Bundesplatz. The ice rink can be used until mid-February – after that the winter season is over.

Real ice cream again in the future

Synthetic material instead of real ice: This is probably the future on Bern’s Bundesplatz – at least for the time being. “We will probably rebuild this system next winter,” says Gärtner. However, the operators do not seem to be totally convinced of the synthetic ice. Because: “After the next season we will probably return to normal ice.”