A Winter Wonderland in Tyumen: Ice Skating and Sledding at the Cozy Tyumen Rink

I stumbled upon the tiny open-air Tyumen Rink, nestled around Chelyuskin Bridge, right on the Tura River embankment. This place is hands-down the coziest mini-square I've ever seen, with a view of the river, the lit-up buildings on the opposite bank, and the distant Lovers' Bridge making for a stunning backdrop. The winter decorations are set up nearby, which is no wonder why this spot attracts a lot of people, especially during the New Year's holidays.

You can either bring your own skates or rent some to enjoy the January break. The access to the second stage of the embankment, where Tyumen Rink has been set up for a few seasons now, opens up after descending from Maslovsky Vzvoz to Paroходство Office, at the following address: 25 October Street, 23a, Building 1. There's a parking lot available, which is super convenient. Driving in – via the inclined road with a boom gate from Maslovsky Vzvoz, off 25 October Street. The boom gate operates according to a schedule, so be sure to check it out. The parking lot isn't open 24/7, so plan your visit accordingly. Walking down – via the two nearby stairs from 25 October Street (from Maslovsky Vzvoz or DC Neftyanik), one of the coolest things about this spot is that there's a secret way to access the ice rink from the temple's courtyard, which is right on the same street. It's a super steep and narrow staircase, but it's worth it to check out the monument to the Romanov family. The nearest bus stops are Orjonikidze, Oblastnaya Infectious Hospital, Soviet, Neftyanik Palace of Culture named after Muromlenko, and Institute of Earth Sciences. They're all within a 5-7 minute walk from the Tyumen Rink. Just a heads up that the public transportation fee went up again after January 1st, so be prepared. You can actually get to the rink from any point on the embankment. I walked along the entire path, and it's pretty cool. You can check out the whole route with all the stairs and ramps here. The location is super convenient. Right next to the cupola where you can rent skates and pay for ice time, there's also a storage room, and a public restroom (a low step with a railing and a ramp, separate stalls for men and women, a foyer without a dryer, with small mirrors, and a winter schedule from 9 to 10 am). There are benches (some of them could use a good cleaning, but you can still sit down to tie your skates), food trucks (hot fast food all the way to cheese sticks), a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a bar with drinks on tap. The first thing that catches your eye when approaching the rink is its decoration. The whole area is lit up in different colors, and there are Christmas decorations like reindeer, a sleigh, and a Christmas tree set up around the perimeter. I was surprised to see people lining up to take photos. The flashy scarves with oversized sponsor logos were a bit of a distraction, but overall, it's a useful thing to have. The rink was packed with visitors, both inside and out – it was hard to even move. Many people changed into their skates on the street because it was too crowded inside. We actually tested this rink back when it first opened, and we brought our own skates to avoid waiting in line for storage. Plus, we didn't want to pay for storage. A bench served as our makeshift changing area. Bringing a thermos would definitely make the downtime between runs more enjoyable. One downside is that there's no well-maintained path from the changing area to the ice. They usually lay down some kind of covering to prevent people from slipping, but it was missing here. However, the snow around the rink was pretty powdery. The ice itself was of good quality, with no potholes or imperfections. After a day of skiing on holiday, this unpolished finish isn't a problem. For pros, it might not be as exciting, but for someone who's not confident on skis, the light dusting of snow actually helps with stability. Like in many places, there are areas that get more traffic, making it slippery, while in another corner, closer to the high fences, the snow is more defined. During off-peak hours, you can choose this spot for your first skiing session, whether you're an adult or a kid. The chances of falling are lower, making it perfect for beginners. However, it can be a challenge for spectators standing near the barriers – on one side, there's a solid sheet of ice outside the rink, making it hazardous and uncomfortable to watch kids or wait for friends. Parking attendants update the surface every day, usually closer to evening. Music plays throughout both sessions. The rink is surrounded by awesome slides. These were designed with both kids and adults in mind. Riding them is a thrill. The wooden constructions are impressive. Two slides are located near the workout area under the stairs from the Neftyanik community center. The slides are free to use. A little to the right, there's a cute, well-groomed pine tree that's perfect for taking atmospheric photos. I've found that it's way more convenient to change into your gear after a visit to the ice rink in your car or the Paroходство booth – the public restrooms are a bit cramped, but it's doable. From the side of the ice rink that faces the Vodokachka water tower, there are a row of glowing little Christmas trees in frames. Another cozy spot with a great view. They also host events that encourage active participation, like quizzes and contests. Keep an eye on their social media for updates. The most exciting events are usually tied to the ice rink's opening. Take, for instance, the upcoming All-Russia Figure Skating Day on January 8th. The organizers will be inviting instructors to give free lessons. Along with the larger ice rink on Tsvelnaya Boulevard, Tyumen ice rink is listed in local event calendars. There will be a concert, a quiz, and a program featuring performances by figure skaters. I'm not sure if they'll manage to pull it off on the smaller ice rink, but the venue has hosted big-name stars and offered free lessons in previous years. That's really cool, especially if the showcase performances make the All-Russia Figure Skating Day at Tyumen ice rink by the Paroходство a memorable experience. I appreciate that the location is far enough from residential areas, and the loud radio broadcasts and mic won't disturb anyone. OPERATING HOURS AND ICE SKATING PRICES AT TYUMEN ICE RINK. I've gotta say, I'm really into this place - the vibe's always chill, I never see any fights, and the speedsters are few and far between. The ice skating's organized mainly in a circle, and the background tunes are pretty sweet. The cozy atmosphere's got a lot to do with the size of the rink and the awesome lighting. One thing to keep in mind: it gets super busy during winter break. But that's true for most ice rinks. That being said, there's a backup option with a free ice rink under the Lovers' Bridge on the other side of the embankment - it's about a 20-minute walk or a 7-minute drive away. Just remember, the bigger free rinks can be a bit less organized. So yeah, I'd definitely recommend Tyumen ice rink!