I've been hearing chatter about new and reopenng seasonal rinks here, there and everywhere.
New York City 2013-2014
New rink in Williamsburg in McCarren Park
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/more-details-on-the-mccarren-park-ice-skating-rink
Rock Center already opened
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/lace-up-your-skates-the-rink-at-rockefeller-center-is-open
South Street Seaport 11/29/2013
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/a-new-ice-skating-rink-is-coming-to-south-street-seaport
Prospect Park is reopening in December after a massive reconstruction project
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/arts/design/lakeside-a-skating-complex-in-prospect-park.html?pagewanted=1&ref=arts&_r=1&
Maryland
Quiet Waters - Anapolis
http://www.aacounty.org/recparks/qwicerink.cfm#.UnxkFpG9KSM
Rockville Town Square
http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink
Silver Spring
http://silverspringiceskating.com/
Glen Burnie
Www.glenburnieiceskating.com
Chicago
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/ice-rinks/ (http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/ice-rinks/)
There are too many in the suburbs to list.
Greensboro NC
http://www.piedmontwinterfest.com/
"a temporary outdoor ice skating rink that will be 65 feet wide by 85 feet long,"
"a 120 foot ice roller coaster, hot chocolate and more in Downtown Greensboro"
Also in NC:
Raleigh Winterfest: http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/winterfest
Charlotte Holiday on Ice: http://www.wbt.com/holidayonice/
Durham Ice Factory @ American Tobacco: http://americantobaccocampus.com/event/254/2013/11/16/the-ice-factory
New to Fort Worth, TX
http://www.trinityrivervision.org/pantherislandice
I live near Charlotte. It's not worth it.
But I am excited about this one. We're planning a ski trip in January and staying an extra day so I can skate on 10,000 square feet of outdoor ice! (My husband has opted to sip hot chocolate in the cafe. He refuses to put on skates.)
http://www.skisugar.com/skating/
Cityscape in Phoenix has outdoor ice: http://www.cityskatephx.com/ (http://www.cityskatephx.com/)
The Scottsdale Fairmont Resort also has a small rink with real ice, with ice shows by Coyotes Skating Club of Arizona and Ice Den skaters: http://www.scottsdaleprincess.com/seasonal-events (http://www.scottsdaleprincess.com/seasonal-events)
Tempe Marketplace had (I believe) a rink with the plastic ice, though I'm not sure how long it's up: http://www.tempemarketplace.com/enews/110113/Nov2013_TMPEvents.pdf (http://www.tempemarketplace.com/enews/110113/Nov2013_TMPEvents.pdf)
The Sugar Mountain rink didn't seem *that* big when we skated on it a few years ago. It is a nice view, but bring your guards because there was a lot of mud and gaps between mats.
Growing up in Kansas City, I always loved the Crown Center Ice Terrace (right outside the offices of Hallmark):
http://www.crowncenter.com/Attractions-Theaters-List/Ice-Terrace
The ice on top of Whole Foods in Austin, TX opened up again yesterday. I've never been, but I've heard it's really really small.
Quote from: dlbritton on November 08, 2013, 12:44:07 PM
Greensboro NC
"a temporary outdoor ice skating rink that will be 65 feet wide by 85 feet long,"
"a 120 foot ice roller coaster, hot chocolate and more in Downtown Greensboro"
The one in Greensboro is as long as the width of hockey rink and as wide as the distance between the goal line and the blue line closest to the same goal line.
I paced off the one at Wintergreen VA and it looks to be about the same dimensions (but it will be free for me to use).
After watching the Ice Crash videos maybe I could take my skates (or their rentals) down the ice roller coaster ;D
FWIW every single rink in canada is seasonal.....
They just happen to be indoors. :(
Private rinks in Canada ain't seasonal. And in larger towns and cities lots are year round rinks.:)
Our seasonal ones are all open now though. It's been so cold the past few days I'm sure all backyard rinks are fully operational.
The Today Travel section lists the "Best ice skating rinks in the US". It's a bit of a stretch, but it mentions rinks where you wouldn't expect them...
http://www.today.com/travel/best-ice-skating-rinks-us-2D11805993 (http://www.today.com/travel/best-ice-skating-rinks-us-2D11805993)
Some rinks are quirky tourist destinations, but I'd love to make it to some of them someday. Here's San Francisco's Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square where they hold the New Year's Day Polar Bear Skate with skaters often dressed in beach attire...
(http://media4.s-nbcnews.com/j/streams/2013/December/131226/2D10784021-sfo-union-square-polar-bear-day.blocks_desktop_medium.jpg)
Cool!
The rink at Wintergreen Resort, VA was open this past weekend. 45x90 feet. But it will be free for me to use (if I have the strength after teaching and/or skiing for 10 hours). They have some kind of blue molded rental skates. I will use my own skates.
They have a "mini zamboni" which is a golf cart with a box scraper and a water tank mounted on the rear.
I will take a picture next weekend.
Almost forgot - a friend of mine says that Brooklyn's Prospect Park Ice Rink is open for business after a major renovation (actually complete reconstruction) of the rink that took . She said: "Two rinks, one outdoors & the other covered. They have a connecting door, which they can close for Hockey games. In the summer, one will be a water play area & the other a rollerskating rink."
Sounds great and it just opened so it won't be too crowded. Mention "Facebook" for special rates (per their Facebook page.)
http://www.lakesideprospectpark.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lakesideBKLYN
https://twitter.com/lakesideBKLYN