Outdoor ice rinks come in many forms: a refrigerated rink in a downtown plaza, a flooded field in a city park, a holiday rink with music and a warming hut, or a cleared patch of a frozen pond that the park opens when conditions allow. The directory lists 321 rinks whose reviews or own website describe outdoor or seasonal skating. All of them have one thing in common: they open and close with the weather.
Kinds of outdoor rinks
Refrigerated outdoor rinks
These have cooling pipes under the ice, like an indoor rink. That lets them open on a planned schedule and keep the ice through milder days. They still depend on the weather: warm temperatures, strong sun and rain can soften the surface or close the rink for the day. Many seasonal rinks in plazas, parks and downtown spaces work this way, and they often have skate rental, music and a place to warm up.
Natural ice rinks
Many parks build rinks by flooding a flat area and letting it freeze. These rinks need a stretch of cold weather before they open, and a thaw can close them again. The season can be long in a cold winter and short or nonexistent in a mild one. Ice on natural rinks is often bumpier than indoor ice.
Ponds and lakes
Some parks open a section of a frozen pond or lake for skating when conditions allow, and post signs or updates when it’s open. Only skate where the park or local authority has said the ice is open. There’s more on this below.
The season
Outdoor skating seasons follow winter, and winter varies a lot from place to place and year to year. In colder regions, rinks can stay open for months. In milder places, a seasonal rink may be refrigerated and run for a set holiday season, or natural ice may only appear for a few cold stretches.
Even during the season, a rink can close for the day because of:
- warm temperatures or a thaw;
- rain, which ruins the surface;
- heavy snow that needs to be cleared;
- strong afternoon sun on the ice;
- extreme cold or wind, at some rinks.
Checking the ice status
Before you go, check whether the rink is open that day. Good places to look:
- The rink’s website, which may have a daily status or a season calendar;
- the rink’s social media, where many post same-day openings and closures;
- a phone line, some with a recorded message about conditions;
- the city or park department’s page, for park rinks.
Check again before you leave if the weather is changing. Listings in this directory show Google opening hours, which may not reflect day-to-day ice conditions at an outdoor rink.
Natural ice: stay where it’s open
Only skate on natural ice that the park or local authority has opened for skating. You can’t tell how strong ice is by how it looks, and it can be thick in one spot and thin a few steps away.
- Stay off ice near moving water, inlets, outlets, docks and bridges.
- Stay inside any marked skating area.
- Respect closed signs, even if other people are on the ice.
- Don’t skate on natural ice alone.
- Keep pets and small children close.
Dressing for the cold
Outdoor skating needs warmer clothes than an indoor rink. Layers work best, because you warm up while moving and cool off fast when you stop.
- A base layer that keeps sweat off your skin, such as a thermal top and leggings.
- A warm middle layer, such as fleece.
- A wind-resistant outer layer that doesn’t limit how you move your arms.
- Waterproof gloves or mittens, plus a spare pair if you fall a lot.
- A hat that covers your ears, or a thin liner under a helmet for kids and beginners.
- One pair of warm socks that come above the boot. Wool or synthetic socks stay warmer than cotton when they get damp. Don’t double up; tight skates make cold feet.
- A neck gaiter instead of a long scarf that can dangle.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen on bright days, when the ice and snow reflect sunlight.
If you start shivering hard, or your fingers or toes go numb, head inside or to the car to warm up. Our guide to what to wear skating covers kids and gear in more detail.
Skating on outdoor ice
Outdoor ice is usually less smooth than indoor ice. Expect bumps, cracks, ruts from other skaters, and sometimes leaves, twigs or snow on the surface. Skate a bit slower than you would indoors, look a few strides ahead, and keep your knees bent so bumps don’t catch you off guard. Ice can soften in the afternoon sun and harden again after dark.
The usual rink habits still apply: skate the same direction as everyone else, pass with room, and step off the ice to rest. See rink etiquette and safety.
What to bring
- Your own skates and blade guards, unless you’ve checked that the rink rents skates;
- a small towel to dry your blades afterward;
- spare gloves and socks;
- a warm drink or snack, if the rink allows it;
- a bag for shoes, since some outdoor rinks have few lockers or none.
Popular outdoor rinks can get crowded on weekends and during the holidays. If you’re new to skating, a quieter time is easier. A refresher at an indoor rink before the season, or an indoor lesson, can help too.
Find an outdoor rink
Browse outdoor and seasonal ice rinks by state. Each one is listed as outdoor or seasonal only when a customer review or the rink’s own website says so, and the listing shows that source. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, indoor ice rinks skate all year. New to the ice? Start with first time ice skating.
Common questions
- When do outdoor ice rinks open?
- It depends on the rink and the weather. Refrigerated outdoor rinks usually run on a planned winter season, while natural ice rinks open only once it’s been cold enough for long enough. Both can close for warm spells, rain or heavy snow. Check the rink’s website or social pages for its season and daily status.
- How do I know if the ice is open today?
- Check the rink’s website, social media or phone line on the day you plan to go, and again before you leave if the weather is changing. Many city and park rinks post a daily status. Google opening hours don’t always reflect ice conditions.
- Is it safe to skate on a frozen pond or lake?
- Only skate on natural ice where the park or local authority has said it’s open for skating. You can’t judge ice by looking at it, and conditions vary across the same pond. If there’s no official word that it’s open, stay off.
- Do outdoor rinks rent skates?
- Some do and some don’t. Larger seasonal rinks often have a rental counter, while many park rinks are bring-your-own. Check before you go if you don’t have skates.