HERE are some winter activities for readers with kids looking for fun during school breaks or on the weekends in Bratislava and surroundings
Outdoors
Ice-skating
For those with their own skates:
Hviezdoslavovo námestie (in Bratislava city centre)
Štadión Dúbravka (Harmincova 3, Tel: 02/6436-6171). Open weekends. Call for hours.
Štadión Nepelu (Odbojárov, Tel: 02/4445-0229) weekends from 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00. Also the place to attend professional hockey games.
For those who need to rent skates:
Štadión Avion, Ľadová Aréna (Ivánska cesta 12, Avion Shopping Centre, across from IKEA, Tel: 02/4822-6855). Indoors. Call to confirm open skating hours; sometimes there are events on even when staff has assured you the rink is available.
Skiing
For information about all ski resorts and snow conditions in Slovakia, go to www.ski.sk. Information is in English and German.
Skiing near Bratislava (If there is snow!)
Koliba: At the top of the hill near the TV tower is a small run with a tow rope. Suitable for children and beginners. Bring your own skis.
Pezinská Baba: In the Small Carpathians, on the way to Pezinok. Rentals available. Reportedly very busy on weekends. Tel: 033/6402-312.
Indoors
Bibiana, International House of Art for Children, Panská 41, Tel: 02/5443-1308, www.bibiana.sk (English available). Closed Mondays.
During the holiday season, Bibiana offers workshops as part of the Blue Christmas exhibition. Admission is free. See website for opening hours. Weekdays may be reserved for groups. Call first.
Little Snow Being: A show based on motifs drawn from the story by Ján Uličiansky, The Isles of Snowmen (Snehuliacke ostrovy). Our story is set in Snowland where snowmen and snow-loving winter birds once lived and where snow fell every single day. One freezing New Year's Day, a tiny snow baby was born... the Little Snow Being.
Bethlehem Play: A Christmas holiday celebration in shepherds' folk plays.
Little Lights of Christmas:This creative workshop is one of the surprises awaiting you at the Christmas exhibition. Children will make their own candles.
Gifts Pieced Together (Origami Workshops): Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper. Make interesting and non-traditional gifts for your loved ones. The only thing you need is paper - and a bit of skill and patience. The workshops are lead by Professor Jaroslav Jaroš, founder of the Slovak Origami Society.
Prepared by Amanda Surbey
