If anyone can judge a skating rink, it might be Allan Christensen, a Dane who skated the ponds and lakes north of Copenhagen as a child. Now living in Prague, Christensen recommends Zimní stadion for its old-fashioned coziness.

Reportedly the oldest ice-hockey stadium in all of Central Europe, Zimní sits on Ostrov Štvanice, in the stretch of the Vltava that runs between Josefov and Holešovice. Czechoslovakia's first hockey match on artificial ice was played here in 1931. Now, kids younger than 7 skate at the historical site for just 20 Kč (96 U.S. cents) most days. Call 233 378 327 for hours of operation.

A tiny 22-room hotel in Prague 10 turns out to be the place where many Czech figure skaters go to practice. The indoor rink at the Hotel Hasa, Sámova 1, is small but lively and fun to visit, even if only to watch the action from the sidelines. Bring your own skates and take the ice for two hours for only 50 Kč. Hasa is closed Wednesdays. Weekend hours are Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and Sundays 10 a.m.-noon and 4-6 p.m. For additional information, call 271 747 128.

Although indoor rinks offer the pleasure of skating no matter what the weather, nothing compares to skating outdoors against a slight wind under the open sky or under the stars on a crisp night.

You can do just that at Sportovní areál, a well-maintained outdoor rink in Prague 1 at Kozí and Dvořákovo nábřeží, just beyond the Hotel InterContinental.

Here, any family can stay happily on the ice for hours. The 20-by-40-meter (66-by-132-foot) rink accommodates larger groups, and an on-site snack bar offers warm drinks and treats. At just 30 Kč per child for two and a half hours of skating (50 Kč for adults), there's no better deal around. Bring your own skates or rent a pair for 50 Kč (with a 500 Kč security deposit).

Sportovní areál is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with open skating running 4-7:30 p.m. Weekend hours are 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 3:30-

6:30 p.m. and 7:00-9:30 p.m. Call 602 294 864 for more information.

Wherever you go, insist that your skates are sharpened and be sure they fit well. Toes should just touch the front cap of the skates, which should be snug enough so that your heel does not lift off the boot's bottom.

Longer blades are recommended for kids just learning to skate, because they will feel more stable. Kids often feel better holding onto a large plastic cone or other support (or an adult's hand) while they learn to skate. This not only provides balance but helps the child learn the essential "push" step vital to gliding.

Whether you're a beginner or a pro, it's always a good idea to wear protective gear for knees, elbows and wrists. And, while helmets may look geeky, they're not a bad idea on hard ice.

Here are some other guidelines to make your next trip to the local ice skating rink as enjoyable as possible for you and your fellow skaters:

Lace up your skates as tightly as possible to start. You can adjust the fit after a few trial runs around the rink.

Skate near the wall on the outside of the rink if you're a beginner. More experienced skaters should skate several feet in, away from beginners.