Best Ice Skating In Sacramento
Chilly, sunny days and clear, starry skies make Sacramento a great place to enjoy pirouetting or playing on the ice. Local rinks are full of hockey teams, synchronized skaters, broom-ballers and others dreaming of being the next Dorothy Hamill, Michelle Kwan or Mario Lemieux. But ice skating is not all about the professionals. Even if you do not know your axel from a hole in ground, and sheep jumps and serpentine lifts sound more like reality TV stunts, you, your friends and family can have a great time at these fun Sacramento ice rinks.
Downtown Ice Rink at St. Rose of Lima Park
701 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-8575
www.downtownsac.org
This downtown spot at Rose of Lima Park is a staple in the Sacramento holiday scene; the bright and festive outdoor ice skating rink has been in operation for more than 20 years. There are special price structures and events on different nights, featuring different music and special events. Normal admission is $8 plus $2 for skate rental; lockers, socks and gloves are available for $2 and kids ages four and under can skate for only the $2 skate rental fee. Special hours apply for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, otherwise the rink is open Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Iceland Ice Skating Rink
1430 Del Paso Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 925-3121
www.skatesacramento.com
The venerable Iceland Rink on Del Paso is a Sacramento landmark; even notables like boxer Max Baer and then-governor Ronald Reagan were known to skate there. Prices on skating sessions, parties, lessons and skate rentals are better than average, and additional savings are often available through deals with Groupon and Yelp. Owned and operated by the same family since it was originally built in the late 1930s, the rink made headlines when most of it was destroyed during a five-alarm fire in 2010. Members of the Sacramento community pitched in to help rebuild and it was opened for limited business 10 months later. Renovations are ongoing, prompting the creation of the tongue-in-cheek slogan "Skating since 1940. Recovering from arson since 2010." Luckily, Iceland's iconic marquee survived the fire and remains over the entrance to welcome you to this old-fashioned, fun rink.
Skatetown Ice Arena
1009 Orlando Ave.
Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 783-8550
www.skatetown-roseville.com
Skatetown's indoor rink is often packed with sports teams and skating lesson students, but the beautiful, new, 4,500-square-foot outdoor rink is open just for the rest of us, the recreational skaters. The cost to skate is $14, which includes skates, with lower prices for children ages 11 and under. If you just want to watch, the lovely spectacle on the ice comes with no charge at all. Bring some extra change to enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, cider and other winter yummies that are available. It is also a great place to host a private gathering; groups of 15 to 200 people can eat, drink, disco dance and be merry as they enjoy a special time on the ice.
Folsom Historic District Ice Rink
200 Wool St.
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 985-4181
www.historicfolsom.org
This beautifully lit and decorated outdoor rink is located in the heart of historic Old Folsom, directly behind the Folsom Chamber of Commerce. It is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, which allows plenty of time to do some wandering and shopping around Old Folsom before you skate. Each skate session is 90 minutes, and costs $10, plus $2 for skate rental. Kids ages eight and younger can enjoy the session for free when a regular adult admission is purchased. Skate rental is extra. The Folsom rink has a unique "party pad," a private 20' x 20' tented-off spot looking out over the ice. Get the special party pad package and entertain up to 50 guests for three full hours; you can even decorate it in any way you wish.
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Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
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Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
