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30 years ago, volunteers resurrected the natural ice rink in Weissbad near Appenzell – based on the old model.
It’s always the same, every winter, almost a ritual: Thomas Mainberger and Hans Dörig grab a shovel and hose and set off with other volunteers to build a natural ice rink in the small Glandenstein basin behind the famous Hotel Hof Weissbad near Appenzell.
It is important that the weather is right: “Snow is the basic requirement, it is pressed and leveled,” explains Mainberger, President of the Glandenstein Natural Ice Rink Association. “And then it says: water, water, water.”
Legend:
Plugging holes: Thomas Mainberger and Hans Dörig at work.
SRF / Christian Masina
The 1000 square meter ice rink is located directly in nature, surrounded by trees. That – and the fact that it is made from natural ice – make it special. It takes a few days to get it ready – and a few helping hands.
“This time it took us almost a week,” says Mainberger. Even after that, bumps that occur with natural ice have to be repaired again and again. Holes are patched up, “with plowing”, ie soft snow, the rest is done by the freezing water from the watering can.
And then it says: water, water, water.
Where there is a meadow in summer, locals and tourists now skate in winter. The Glandenstein natural ice rink has been around for 30 years. However, its history goes back much further – and is closely connected to Hof Weissbad.
It all started with a 5000 square meter outdoor pool that was built in the 1930s. 79-year-old Hans Dörig looks back: “You didn’t let the water off in winter and so we had ice here early. On a beautiful Sunday, trains full of day-trippers came from all over Eastern Switzerland. There weren’t any artificial ice rinks back then. “
A real hockey boom
Soon the hockey clubs from the region came to train – especially Herisau and Gossau. The location also had an advantage: due to its location in the shady valley basin, it was often 1 to 2 degrees colder in Glandenstein. So you had ice earlier than the neighboring communities.
And so one thing led to another: the hockey clubs inspired the village youth, who also regularly ventured out on the ice. And thanks to Hans Dörig’s father, who ran a sports shop in Weissbad, the necessary equipment was available early on. Dörig is still proud of that today – especially the EHC Appenzell jerseys: light blue shirts with white lettering.
Glorious times in Glandestein
With the decline of the old Kurhaus, which then lay fallow for several decades, the hockey boom came to an end. The natural ice rink was forgotten. Until the former teacher Thomas Mainberger had the idea to resurrect her in the early 1990s. As soon as she was back, the people came back – not only from the region, but even from overseas: A Canadian ice hockey team announced a visit.
Alter Rapid serves as a cleaning machine
To this day, ice skating on the Glandenstein natural ice rink has not cost anything. This is only possible thanks to generous support, say Thomas Mainberger and Hans Dörig.
On a beautiful Sunday, trains full of day-trippers came from all over Eastern Switzerland.
Because the ice rink needs some care. It is also cleaned regularly. And with an “ice machine” that you will probably not find a second time. When they started up again 30 years ago, a farmer gave the operators an old Rapid with an attachment for throwing hay. Small brooms were then quickly attached to it – and the cleaning machine for the natural ice was ready. Today a large round brush is used as an attachment.
Legend:
The challenge of natural ice: The natural bumps make ice skating more challenging than on artificial ice.
SRF / Christian Masina
For this season, Meienberger and Dörig are hoping for good weather – so that the natural ice rink will last as long as possible.