Nymphenburg Canal in Munich Officially Open for Ice Skating
Munich, January 5, 2026 – The Nymphenburg Palace Canal has officially opened for ice skating this week, much to the delight of winter sports enthusiasts. This announcement comes after initial warnings from safety authorities regarding dangerously thin ice, which even led to police and fire brigade clearing the canal on New Year’s Day due to large crowds.
The recent cold snap has caused the ice layer on the canal to reach the required thickness of at least ten centimeters by Sunday. This was confirmed by Herbert Fesl, the long-standing ice tenant who has operated ice-stock lanes on the canal for decades. Despite the ice being thick enough for general use, Fesl noted that he has not yet been able to prepare the ice-stock lanes.
Safety Precautions and Restricted Areas
Fesl strongly advises against venturing onto the basin in front of the Hubertusbrunnen at the eastern end of the canal. This particular section is not part of his leased area and, consequently, is not measured or secured by him. The responsible Palace Administration strictly prohibits access to the ice surface in this area.
Similar restrictions apply to other frozen bodies of water managed by the City of Munich and its Department of Construction. Access to these ice surfaces is generally prohibited throughout the winter. This includes lakes in the West, East, and Zamilapark, as well as the Riemer, Lerchenauer, and Feldmochinger See. Warning signs are also in place at Olympiasee, cautioning against the potential danger of entering ice surfaces.
Weather Forecast and Historical Context
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), frosty conditions are expected to persist in the coming days, with temperatures remaining below freezing until at least Friday. While such cold temperatures might seem unusual after the relatively mild winters of recent years, they are not uncommon for this time of year. January historically stands as Munich’s coldest month, with average temperatures typically hovering around freezing point.
This development provides a welcome opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy winter activities in a safe environment, contrasting with the concerns raised earlier in the season. [sueddeutsche.de](https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/muenchen-nymphenburger-kanal-eis-freigegeben-schlittschuhlaufen-li.3363262) had previously reported on the dangers of thin ice, with police and fire departments actively clearing the canal on New Year’s Day due to the presence of over 100 people on the unstable surface. [sueddeutsche.de](https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/muenchen-schlosskanal-nymphenburg-eis-duenn-li.3362265) The ice at that time was only six to seven centimeters thick, far below the ten centimeters required for safe access. [sueddeutsche.de](https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/muenchen-nymphenburger-kanal-schlittschuhlaufen-eisstockschiessen-lux.AsMMNHJKhn7HxX4KKbwgmj) The Bavarian Palace Administration had also issued warnings against entering the Nymphenburg Waisenhauskanal and other waters in the palace and park grounds, citing life-threatening conditions due to thin ice, especially in the Waisenhauskessel where water depths can reach five meters. [sueddeutsche.de](https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/muenchen-nymphenburg-neuhausen-schloss-kanal-lux.R5fjwW9D77z3nioShFu9C2) [muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/aktuell/polizei-nymphenburg-warnt-betreten-eisflaechen) Now, with sustained cold temperatures, the conditions have improved, allowing for safe recreational use of the canal.
Source: sueddeutsche.de
