Ice skating fun in the Birkenwäldli attracts large and small visitors

It’s Saturday afternoon – and, despite the cloudy weather, children and teenagers are shooting around on the 450 m² ice rink, and are clearly having fun. While the toddlers wobble their first few metres with aids, teenagers skilfully slide the puck to each other with their sticks.

Since the opening on November 22, Mauro Giovanoli and his colleagues have regularly visited the "Aegeri on Ice" in the Birkenwäldli in Unterägeri: "We’ve been here several times in the past few weeks to play ice hockey, and then have a drink together in the chalet in the evening. The ambience is great, and, for people from Aegeri, you don’t have to travel very far”. His colleagues nod in agreement.

Under the management of Zug Sports, a Christmas chalet village has been built in Birkenwäldli in Unterägeri for the sixth time. The pretty Stübli is right next to the ice rink, and its cosy atmosphere invites you to stay a little longer, and is very busy in the evening. There is also the chalet, which can also be rented for larger events, such as company dinners.

Photo 1: Martin Hofstetter, Head of Communication, with his children Niklas and Andrin on the ice.

Photo 2: While skating together with friends, new tricks on the ice are rehearsed at the "Ägeri on Ice".

Remo Iten is the Operations Manager, and explains the challenge of the construction: “As the terrain has a slight slope, it had to be levelled off. To do this, the floor had to be raised by up to 1m60 in some places. He sends a big thank you goes to the helpers who helped construct it. “The mini-village was completely rebuilt - so it’s great that the event will continue until January 5 of the new year.” As the manager, he is the main contact person for guests and the team or, to put it casually, is the “factotum”, as Iten explains with a smile.

Martin Hofstetter is Head of Communication, and has been involved in the project for the first time this year. So far, the results have been great, he states with satisfaction: “We have received lots of positive feedback, and hardly any complaints. Before we opened, we calculated on around 45,000 visitors from all over central Switzerland, and this number is still realistic today.” Compared to previous years, the current edition of “Aegeri on Ice” has shown improvements on all fronts”:  a lounge by the ice rink and new shrubs along the entrance path provide a pleasant ambience, the range of restaurants has been optimised and an LED wall, including a live cam, has been set up at the ice rink. "The budget has been invested wisely, says Hofstetter: "There is hardly a more idyllic ice rink in Switzerland where the atmosphere is so magical. All the products, such as the cheese and meat for the fondue, are supplied locally, and the sponsors identify with the event – and that is the main driving force behind my commitment.” Hofstetter concludes by saying: “The pupils and students at the ice rink rental do a perfect job, which is also the case for the catering staff and the ice master.”

The magic in the Birkenwäldli will last until January 5th. There will be a special highlight next Sunday - under the motto "Children's Christmas magic", where fairy tales will be told, presents will be distributed and gingerbread will be decorated.