Ice Rinks in the Basel Region
Winter-sports season, and particularly ice season, typically starts in the Basel area in October with the opening of the ice rinks and lasts until March. There are several rinks in and around Basel that allow for a variety of ice-related sports, including hockey, skating, and curling. No matter what your interest, you should be able to find the appropriate venue and activity here!
There are three rinks to choose from in Basel, two outdoor and one indoor, and three rinks in the outskirts of Basel. They all offer public skating hours, as well as times where the rink, or a section of the rink, is reserved for figure skaters, speed skaters, and/or hockey players. They are all equipped with a café-restaurant for refreshments; they all also rent skates and most also rent little push-bars for the skater-in-training. In most rinks, you can pay as you go, buy a 10-entrance booklet, or a season pass. Note that booklets and season passes for Eglisee and Margarethen are valid at both rinks. If you would like to enter but don’t plan to skate, you will need to pay a “Zuschauer” (spectator) fee of CHF 1; check their website for exact prices and opening times which may change in the course of the season.
Ice Rinks in Basel
Margarethen: The Kunsteisbahn (KEB) at Margarethen has three rinks side-by-side. With the exception of early Sunday morning, when the three rinks are connected for speed skating, at least one of them is available for public skating during their opening hours.
https://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer-sportlerinnen-und-sportler/sportanlagen/kunsteisbahnen/kunsteisbahn-margarethen.html
Eglisee: Eglisee has two outdoor rinks: a full-sized rink devoted to skating classes and hockey training/matches, and a half-sized rink for public skating and, at certain times, pick-up hockey (freies Stöcklen). There is also a domed swimming pool adjacent to the rinks that allows for mixed family fun throughout the winter season.
https://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer-sportlerinnen-und-sportler/sportanlagen/kunsteisbahnen/kunsteisbahn-eglisee.html
St. Jakob Arena: This indoor ice rink is located next to, and shares a parking garage with, the St. Jakobshalle. Except for the summer weeks it is open year-round and offers just a few hours per week when the public can simply come to skate or play pick-up hockey on the divided rink. The schedule changes weekly, so be sure to check the website before heading out. Note that the Margarethen and Eglisee season passes are not valid at St. Jakob.
https://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer-sportlerinnen-und-sportler/sportanlagen/eishalle-st-jakob-arena.html
Ice Rinks Beyond Basel
Laufen, BL: Located a 5-minute walk from the Laufen train station (25 minutes from Basel), this indoor ice rink is open to the public on weekday and weekend afternoons, while most evenings are reserved for hockey clubs and skating lessons. There is a terrific climbing hall in the building next to the rink, making for a day of mixed fun for families with varied interests.
https://www.laufen-bl.ch/leben/sport-freizeit-kultur/eissport-und-freizeithalle.html/238
Rheinfelden, AG: Located 20 minutes from Basel, the KuBa Rheinfelden offers a covered outdoor rink for skating and a smaller uncovered rink for pick-up hockey. The public can use the rinks daily, but evenings are reserved for hockey and skating clubs. There is an ice disco every second Friday throughout the season, including a special Halloween disco and a carnival ice disco (Gugge on Ice).
https://www.kuba-rheinfelden.ch/kunsteisbahn.shtml
Sissach, BL: This newly rebuilt, fully covered rink is rink located 20 minutes from Basel. Most evenings are reserved for hockey clubs and skating lessons, as well as their curling club. They offer ice time to the public on weekday and weekend afternoons, as well as on Friday evenings.
https://www.kunsti-sissach.ch/index.php/kunsti-sissach/home