Ice skating rink opens for winter

Shimla: Asia’s oldest natural ice skating rink in Shimla’s Lakkar Bazar started its first morning session of this winter season on Wednesday.
The organising secretary of the Shimla Ice Skating Club, Rajat Malhotra, said that they conducted the trials two to three days back, but the first session was delayed due to bad weather. “Today we started the first morning session from 8 am to 9:30 am. We will start the evening session in the next four to five days from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, if the weather remains favourable,” he added. Malhotra is hopeful of good ice skating sessions this winter and says that the strength would also increase at the ice skating rink after the start of winter vacations in the schools. The club would also organise ice hockey and figure skating camps. The ice skating sessions here usually continue till the first week of February.
The natural ice skating rink in Shimla, which depends on natural conditions for its ice formation, was established in 1920 by the Irish Army officer Blessington.