6 Gorgeous Colorado Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks
By Lisa Blake
Do the winter Olympics have you dreaming of triple axels and Lutz jumps? Soaring gracefully across the ice, spinning and twizzling?
If you’re like most, it’s more about basic balancing and rounding the rink without falling. Here are six Colorado outdoor ice skating rinks to get you gliding.
Ouray Rotary Park Ice Rink
Enjoy the classic winter pastime on an all-natural, volunteer-run Rocky Mountain ice rink surrounded by stunning peaks and the historic hamlet of Ouray. Locals head here for hockey and broomball and the nearby hot springs are the perfect cap to a winter ice session. Pack hot cocoa and take some magical nighttime laps on the illuminated rink. Pick up rental skates at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.
Crested Butte Nordic Center
Visit the Crested Butte Nordic Center outdoor ice rink for free winter skating near this world-class Colorado ski town. Figure skates and hockey skates are available for rent and warming huts are on hand for heated breaks. Make time to hit the Nordic Center’s groomed snowshoe trails and sledding hill.
Keystone Resort
Keystone takes its winter fun seriously with two outdoor ice rinks and enchanting night skating among Kidtopia activities that include cookie happy hours, disco tubing and winter scavenger hunts. Skate on one of North America’s largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor rinks at Dercum Square or beeline to five-acre Keystone Lake where hockey board setups are on tap for pick-up games. Both rinks offer skate rentals, snack bars and adventure centers.
Winter Park
The outdoor Village Ice Rink in Winter Park takes public skating to new heights with free ice skating lessons for all ages Friday through Sunday. Whirl around the frozen pond in the heart of the village beneath the magnificent peaks of the Continental Divide. The rink is open until 10 p.m. daily and skate rentals are available in adjacent Winter Park Resort Rentals. Ask about family and group discounts.
Beaver Creek
Head to this upscale mountain village where the pristine outdoor rink is set among immaculate dining, shopping and lodging and timeless Colorado mountain views. Beaver Creek’s Black Family Ice Rink is Zamboni-groomed every three hours with several fire pits and couches nearby and skate and helmet rentals available at the walk-up booth next to Base Mountain Sports. Snag free fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies every afternoon at 3 p.m. and check the ice rink schedule for disco skate events.
Copper Mountain
Spin around West Lake at Copper and enjoy free hockey nets and broomball equipment. Roast marshmallows and warm up around the fire pit next to the frozen lake at this popular Center Village hangout. Rent skates at City Pop or bring your own. Skating is free if you supply your own skates, and also part of Copper’s Family Free-Time program. (Spend $40 in the Village at Copper’s restaurants or shops, Sun.–Thurs. and receive a free ice skate rental.)
For more winter fun ideas, visit coloradoinfo.com/colorado-winter.
