Some Dutch rinks open despite warm October

Skaters at an ice rink - Credit: - License: DepositPhotos Tech Nature Sports Saturday, 10 October 2026 - 11:25

Many Dutch artificial ice rinks reopened last week, despite temperatures being around 20 degrees, NOS reports. With the climate change making the Dutch weather warmer, a question of whether artificial ice rinks will have to reopen later than usual arises every year.

“You can ask yourself: shouldn’t we just begin in November?” said Frank Zuurendonk, ice master at a rink in Haarlem. The higher the temperature, the more energy it takes to create an icy surface.

The country has 22 permanent artificial ice rinks. Each one of them plans the schedule itself, with most opening to the public in early October. Some do open a little later.

For ice quality, it is better to start later, Zuurendonk told NOS. This is not only because of the temperature but especially because of the wind. The rink master told the news service that strong autumn winds in October often make it difficult to produce stable ice.

Ice rinks are energy-intensive, making sustainability another part of the conversation surrounding the popular wintertime activity. Opening later in the year could reduce energy use, as less of it would be needed to make ice.

“We must not choose between skating and sustainability, but look at how we can make skating more sustainable.” The KNSB and the rinks are actively working on that, he said.

Two years ago, Team Duurzaam IJs, formed by the KNSB, Essent, and Daikin, was established with the aim of making ice production more climate-neutral. “The most sustainable option is of course not to skate at all, but that is very black-and-white,” said Jurre Trouw, sports participation manager at the KNSB.

He also noted that skaters must not be forgotten in the discussion about the length of the season. “The rinks are open in October for clubs. They want to skate, and we want to offer them a decent sports program.”