Bavarian curling slides into Vienna’s heart with a festive twist
A traditional Alpine winter game, Eisstockschießen, has found a new home in Vienna’s city centre. This crazy game, also known as Bavarian curling, involves sliding heavy ice stocks towards a wooden target. Recently played at the Kinderschutzzentrum Möwe’s Christmas party, the event took place at Börsegasse 9/1, in the heart of the 1st district, where the Badeschiff hosted the game on synthetic ice panels.
Eisstockschießen is played with two teams of four to six players. Each team has a captain, called the Moar, who directs play and resolves disputes. The goal is to slide the stocks—heavy, flat-bottomed weights—towards the Daube, a small wooden cube. Players aim to encircle the Daube while knocking away their opponents’ stocks.
The game blends skill and strategy. Players must keep their palm facing the target, avoid bending the wrist, and drop to one knee when releasing the stock. Ensuring the entire base makes even contact with the surface is key for accuracy. Tactical moves, like shifting the Daube’s position or blocking opponents, add depth to the competition. At the Badeschiff’s Christmas event, the women’s team took a relaxed approach. Instead of using a tape measure, they paced out distances to the Daube. The synthetic panels, used due to Vienna’s mild winters, mimicked real ice, allowing the game to go ahead despite the lack of snow.
The Christmas party brought Eisstockschießen to an urban setting, adapting the sport for casual play. The Badeschiff’s synthetic ice panels ensured the game could be enjoyed without natural winter conditions. For many, it was a chance to experience a traditional Alpine pastime in the middle of Vienna.
