Holidays on Ice: Outdoor Skating Rinks in the Pacific Northwest

Skating on ice is the sound of blades sweeping across the glassy surface, cold air on your cheeks, a waft of wood smoke drifting from a nearby chimney. There’s nothing else quite like it.

Pond skating on natural ice is ubiquitous in some places and unheard of in others—it requires long cold snaps, at least three full days with temps below 32°F so ice forms on lakes and ponds, reaching at least four inches thick to walk or skate on. Ice fisherman and skaters use augers to drill holes and measure thickness of the ice for safety. With experience comes knowledge of the telltale signs of thin ice, such as color, cracks, or bubbles under the surface. As the climate warms, frozen ponds are in jeopardy: even states like Minnesota and Vermont are recording fewer days each winter with skateable ice.

As anyone who lives west of the Cascades will tell you, it’s rare that we get a deep freeze that lasts long enough to freeze anything much bigger than a sidewalk puddle. Mountain lakes in the Cascades and Olympics freeze over in winter, but they’re usually snow-covered and not accessible to skates (though hardcore alpine ice skaters will pack their skates and search out snow-free frozen lakes by snowshoe). Maybe you’re lucky enough to live beside a shallow pond in Eastern Oregon or Washington that freezes over each winter. If not, grab some skates and head to an open-air ice rink.

This is an excerpt from the book, 52 Ways to Nature, Washington – Your Seasonal Guide to a Wilder Year published by Mountaineers Books.

Tips for Beginning Ice Skaters

Never been on ice skates? The wobbles you feel upon gingerly stepping onto ice for the first time feel hopeless at first, but with a few tips or a short lesson (many rinks offer them – just ask) you’ll get your ice legs. Hold on to the side rail or use device called a skate helper until you’re standing and gliding on your own (first on two skates, then one). Bend your knees a little and stay low to maintain balance. When you fall (and you will) just come to all fours like a cat to get back up, one skate at a time.

If you don’t have your own pair of ice skates, no worries–you’ll be able to rent them at most outdoor ice rinks. Some offer skate rental packaged with the price of admission. Ice skates fit stiffly around your ankles to stabilize them, and they can feel uncomfortable without a little extra padding, such as doubled-up socks. Bundle up because it’s cold out there on the ice, but you’ll warm up as you exercise. Wear a bike or ski helmet (some rinks require them), knee pads, and elbow pads for protection. Flexible clothing like leggings may feel more comfortable than jeans.

LEARN MORE

Head to YouTube for some free lessons; try the ice skating tutorials by Coach Michelle Hong.

Where to Go:

Here are rinks where you can skate on ice in the fresh, frosty air in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. All of these rinks charge a modest admission (many are under $10 per person) and offer skate rentals.

Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink

NE 1st Street and 100th Avenue NE, by Inspiration Playground, Bellevue, WA

I’m smitten with Bellevue’s beautiful Downtown Park, and now I have another reason to go – it hosts the Seattle area’s largest (almost) open-air ice-skating rink, open this winter Nov 17 through Jan 15, 2024. Bring cash for hot cocoa and cookies. Admission is $20 on weekends, $15 on weekdays and includes skate rental. Check out their calendar for special stroller skate hours and free beginner skating lessons. More info.

Winter Ice Village

121 W. Front St. in Port Angeles, WA

Downtown Port Angeles is the Olympic Peninsula’s only outdoor covered ice skating rink (it has open-air sides). Admission for 13 and over is $15 for the whole day
and ages 3–12 is $10/day and includes skates (take $3 off if you bring your own skates). The rink is powered by volunteers. Open noon-9pm daily from November 17 – January 2, 2024. More info: wintericevillage.org

Skate Ribbon at Riverfront Park

507 N Howard St. in Spokane, WA

The first skate ribbon on the west coast, this 16-foot wide, 650-foot long looped ribbon of ice, plus an attached 3,500 sq foot pond is n the heart of downtown Spokane’s vibrant riverfront. After a bit of open-air gliding, warm up by one of their cozy fire pits with a mug of hot cocoa. Open mid-Nov through mid-March. More info: spokanecity.org

(CLOSED) Leavenworth’s Holidays on Ice Skating Rink (CLOSED in 2023)

696 US-2, Lions Club Park next to City Hall downtown Leavenworth, WA

Skate in the open air surrounded by snow-capped Cascade peaks! $15 per person includes skates.

Kahler Glen Ice Rink at Lake Wenatchee

20700 Club House Dr. in Leavenworth, WA

This ice rink is a real frozen pond on the golf resort’s driving range, offering a unique, natural ice skating on 14,000 sq feet. Hockey and figure skates in all sizes are available for use, no charge, though donations are appreciated. Skating the rink is free courtesy of the Lake Wenatchee Winter Recreation Association whose volunteers maintain it. Open hours depend on weather and volunteer labor. More info: lakewenatcheeinfo.com

Winthrop Ice Rink

208 White Ave, Winthrop, WA

If ever you tire of the primo cross-country ski trails in the Methow Valley, don a pair of skates and take to beautiful outdoors ice rink backdropped by snowy Mt. Gardner. Open skate sessions are offered six days a week in winter, weather depending. Admission is $6-$9 and you can rent skates for $4. winthroprink.org

Seventh Mountain Resort Ice Rink

18575 SW Century Drive in Bend, OR

This beautiful rink is set in the mountains of Central Oregon, and you can twirl and spin yourself or take lessons from a professional instructor. There are public skate hours nearly every day in winter. Adult admission is $18 and that includes your skate rental. Kids range from $12-$15 depending on age. Reservations highly recommended! seventhmountainriverco.com

Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink

95 Winburn Way in Lithia Park in Ashland, OR

Bring the whole family; their skate rentals accommodate toddler size 9 up to Men’s size 15. Hot cocoa, coffee and snacks are available for sale. There’s an open skate session every day through January. Admission is totally affordable at $5 and under, and you can rent skates for $3. More info.

Grouse Mountain Ice Rink

6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC

Board the tram up to Grouse Mountain outdoor skating pond, taking breaks in between laps at the adjacent firepit. On a clear day, the views are phenomenal of snow-capped peaks of the coast range and down to the city lights of Vancouver. Finish your afternoon with a basket of poutine at Lupins Cafe. Open daily in winter, 10am-9pm. Admission is included in your Skyride ticket: $75 for adults, $55 for kids and free for children 4 and under (check for family discounts). Skates are available to rent. grousemountain.com