The temporary sledding hill at Järntorget in central Örebro is being removed, marking the end of a winter experiment that began in January. According to reports from SVT Örebro and Nerikes Allehanda, the pulkabacken (sledding hill) that had been created using snow gathered from city streets is now being cleared away.
The hill was established as an alternative to the traditional ice skating rink that previously occupied the fountain area at Järntorget. Örebro municipality explained on its website that a snow hill is more tolerant of temperature fluctuations compared to an ice rink, which requires several consecutive days of sub-zero temperatures to create safe and durable ice.
The municipality has indicated that the pulkabacken project will be evaluated following its removal. The experiment represented an attempt to create winter recreational opportunities in the city center using accumulated snow from road maintenance operations.