The Moscow News reports that for a number of years there has been growth in inline skating. The Russian capital is huge, and skating provides a great way to cover distances and see the sights, whenever the weather is good. The popularity of inline skating destinations is determined by which have the smoothest asphalt, a rare find in Moscow. A scenic view is important, too. The following are good locations to start with:

• The Sparrow Hills area and Moscow State University have trees and greenery, offer a view of the city, are closed to most traffic and snacks and drinks are available.
  
  
• The embankment has a trail which starts at Kievskaya and goes to Gorky Park.
  
  
• Victory Park or Poklonnaya Gora on Kutuzovsky Prospekt has good asphalt and offers variety in the grade of the terrain.
  
  
• The All-Russian Exhibition Center (VVTs) at VDNKh and the Bota­nichesky Sad are popular spots with skate rental available.
  
  
• The Luzhniki Stadium at Spor­tivnaya has a roller drome.

If you feel that there's safety and fun in numbers, join a group of Moscow's inline skaters for organized rolls. Roller.ru provides information and advice about choosing and buying rollerblades, where to go blading and where to get tuition. Free basic skills and slalom lessons are available at Poklonnaya Gora. The site has a schedule of organized rolls, too.