Skating rink opened on Eiffel Tower

Holiday on ice takes on new meaning when you’re high above the rooftops of Paris doing figure eights inside the Eiffel Tower.

During the 115 years of the Eiffel Tower’s existence, it has added refreshment stands, trinket shops and fancy restaurants – but nothing quite matches the skating rink in the sky that opened to the public Friday.

On an observation deck 188 feet above ground, the ice rink adds a new dimension to the breathtaking views from Paris’ best-known landmark.

Lodged between two of the tower’s immense latticed steel legs, the rink is not big. It measures 2,150 square feet and fits 80 skaters at once.

Part of the idea behind the high-rise rink is to boost interest in Paris’ candidacy for the 2012 Summer Olympics, organisers said. Banner’s plugging the bid ring the guard rail, and the centrepiece of the rink is emblazoned with the motto: “Paris 2012.”