Grünelstadion Geising: Ice season begins with curling event!

Grünelstadion Geising: Ice season begins with curling event!

The winter season recently took its first steps at the Grundelstadion Geising in the picturesque Eastern Ore Mountains. The starting signal was given with the installation of an external refrigeration machine, which already ensures frosty temperatures below zero. A first layer of ice is finished and the lines and markings for curling are applied. This week the final touches will be made to the ice so that the hall doors can be opened for the big curling tournament on November 2nd, 2025/26. The focus here is not only on many day guests, but also on clubs from the region who want to use the hall for training and competitions.

What is particularly pleasing is that the city administration is already planning to rent out advertising space in the ice rink. This should not only generate additional income, but also promote the attractiveness of the location. The season was originally in jeopardy because the old cooling system, which is now over 30 years old, was worn out. However, the city council met these challenges with determination and rented a mobile ice skating facility. Whether purchasing this mobile system for the next season is feasible depends on the city's financial situation.

The SachsenEnergie ice channel in Altenberg

Another cold oasis in Saxony is SachsenEnergie ice channel in Altenberg. This artificial ice rink is one of the most demanding sled and bobsleigh tracks in the world and is open daily from mid-October to the beginning of March for sporting talents and professionals in bobsleigh, skeleton and tobogganing. With over 30 national and international competitions per year, the ice track not only attracts top athletes, but also numerous spectators.

Guests are also offered something special: they have the opportunity to book a ride in the guest bobsleigh. Experienced pilots control a four-man bobsleigh with two guests. The exciting ice tubing, where participants race down the ice channel in rubber tires, also provides a lot of fun. All activities are available as vouchers and bookings can be made via the website www.SachsenEnergie-Eiskanal.de. In addition, public tours along the ice channel take place every Tuesday at 10 a.m., which last around 90 minutes for those interested.

A look beyond the borders

Winter sports enthusiasts in Saxony can look forward to an exciting program this year. Even this year, sporting events are very popular nationwide. Tension was also kept high on October 24, 2025, the final Friday night of the high school football regular season in Cleveland, Ohio. Many teams were fighting for the final step before the playoffs, while for some the end of the season was looming. These events show that sport has a unifying power not only locally but also internationally.

Cologne and the surrounding area can look forward to seeing how the winter season develops in the coming weeks. At first glance, everything suggests that both the ice rink in Geising and the SachsenEnergie ice channel will offer plenty of exercise and activities - good news for all sports enthusiasts!