Ice skating begins in Shimla,a week late this time

Over 200 skaters have taken membership of the club this year.

Asia’s only open-air natural ice skating rink,set up in 1920 in the cold Blessington area of Shimla (now Lakkar Bazaar) on north side of The Ridge,organises skating sessions every year. However,increasing human activity,constructions in its vicinity and rising temperatures make the skating enthusiasts jittery every year. And their worry is justified. If such activities continue at the present pace,Shimla may not be able to save its unique winter attraction for long.

“The biggest hindrance in keeping the temperature in the area around the rink low is the bus stand located just 20 metres away. Over 100 buses ply to upper parts of Shimla district and several vehicles cross by the area. Despite our representations to the government,nothing has been done about it,” says Peter Tatung,who trained at this rink for years and had represented India in the first Asian Games in 1986 at Sapporo,Japan.

In 2009,there were 77 sessions and the club created a record by hosting 165 sessions in 1960-1961.

Till almost two decades ago,the ice skating season usually began in the end of November and would continue till February. “Over the years,the skating sessions have reduced due to late onset of winter and comparatively warmer January. The snowfall pattern in Shimla has also shifted towards January end and February. Last year,the club officially announced its opening on November 27,” said Banga.

While night temperature below five degrees Celsius is ideal for ice sheet formation,after water is sprinkled on the clay floor of the stadium,it ranges between seven and 10 degrees now in December.