Get out on the ice and skate around this winter. Plenty of places across the Front Range have outdoor ice rinks, perfect for gliding, twirling, or, if you’re a first timer or haven’t done it in a while, holding on for dear life while children zip by you.
Many of these places offer skate helpers for little kids, and all have skate rentals available. Of course, feel free to bring your own skates. At some locations donning your own laces means FREE skating.
Just don’t forget to bundle up in hats, scarves, gloves and warm socks. If it’s cold enough to freeze water, you can bet it will be nippy outside.
Skyline Park
Skate for free in Downtown Denver. Photo by Downtown Denver Partnership
Right in the heart of downtown Denver lies Skyline Park, which turns into a winter wonderland complete with an ice rink, concession stand, and tables to lounge at.
If you have your own skates it’s free to use, and if you don’t there are some to rent, both single and double blade in child and adult sizes. Just don’t forget your warm socks!
When: Open daily until February 14. Check the schedule online for daily times.
Where: 1601 Arapahoe St.
Cost: FREE with your own skates; Adult rental is $11 and 12-and-under skate rental is $9; skate walker rental is $5. Credit card only.
How to save: Bring your own skates to join for FREE! If you have a group of 30-plus you can get $1 off each rental.
Ice Rink at Belmar
Head to this Lakewood shopping center for its annual ice rink extravaganza, November through January. The outdoor rink has plenty of room for those great at ice skating, and for those just getting into it.
No reservations are required, just show up to Belmar with or without skates.
When: From now until January 8 the rink is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Starting January 13 to 29, the rink is only open Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 7337 W. Alaska Drive, Lakewood
Cost: With skate rentals adults are $10; children 3-12 are $8; military with valid ID is $6; and kids 2 and under and those 65-plus are free.
How to save: Bring your own skates and save $4.
The Rink at the Rock
Each winter Castle Rock opens an outdoor, but covered, ice rink right downtown. It’s a small, cozy spot that can get busy, but that just keeps you warmer while on the ice.
Bonus, the rink provides buckets for little kids to push around while they learn to skate.
When: The ice rink runs until February from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 11 a.m. to 9 pm. on Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Where: 414 Perry St., Castle Rock
Cost: Adults are $10 and children are $8. Add on a skate rental for another $4. Purchase tickets at venue, and they are good for three hours after the time of entry.
How to save: Book a party of 60-plus and save per person with free skate rental.
Arvada’s Skating in the Square
Head to Olde Town Arvada and take a turn on the pop-up ice rink, even if it’s not real ice. The area is decked out in twinkling lights to give visitors an extra special magical feeling.
You can also wander to the Holiday Bar in the Square (Thursday through Sunday) for festive drinks and snacks.
When: Now until January 29; Monday to Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m.; Friday from 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the website for the holiday schedule.
Where: Arvada Visitors Center at 7305 Grandview Ave., Arvada
Cost: Ages 12+ cost $10 to skate, and those under 12 are $7.
How to Save: So far we haven’t gotten any good tips on how to save, but we will update if that changes.
Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park
Skate along the ice river in Parker. Photo by Parker Parks & Recreation
Unlike a classic ice rink, the one in Discovery Park is made to look like a frozen river, allowing guests to wind around and down the path of their choosing.
Note, the ice rink is closed on the full days from 3 to 3:30 p.m. for maintenance. While you wait, enjoy concessions, hot chocolate and three roaring fire pits.
When: Now through February 23, 2023, weather depending. Normal hours are Monday to Friday from 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check the website for special holiday hours.
Where: Next to the library at 20115 E. Mainstreet, Parker
Cost: Visitors 11 and up run $9; children 10 and under are $7; and skate rentals are $4.
How to save: If you are renting skates and want to visit four times or more, the four-visit pass is $40, saving you $3 off adult admission, and $1 off children’s admission. Also, groups of 10 or more can get a special rate of $9 each, which includes the skate rental.
Winter Skate in Louisville
Located in Historic Downtown Louisville, this annual event has been going on for 20 years. It’s not just the charming setting and ice skating either, there’s also FREE parking and FREE horse-drawn carriage rides through out the holiday season.
Each skate session runs for 75 minutes, just enough time to work off energy and get cool enough to enjoy a hot chocolate after.
When: Runs now through February 20, 2023. While the ice rink is open on some holidays, times vary day-to-day, so it’s best to check the schedule. Find more info here.
Where: Steinbaugh Pavilion at 824 Front St., Louisville
Cost: Ages 4-plus are $13, and kids 3 and under are FREE. Admission includes skate rental and ski trainers for those who request one.
How to save: Monday through Thursday, save the school vacation days or holidays, admission is $3 off. You can also bring your own food and treats.
Ice Skating Rink at Denver International Airport
Ice skate for free at the airport. Photo by Denver International Airport
Add some extra time to your travel by leaving early or staying late at the airport so you can go ice skating. Once again, the Denver International Airport has opened up the ice rink, and anyone can take advantage of this outdoor space now and until the end of the year.
When: Skate daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., until the rink closes on January 1, 2023.
Where: At Denver International Airport in the outdoor plaza, located between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel
Cost: FREE to hit the ice and to get skates from the skate shop.
How to save: No need to save since the event is FREE.
The Pond at Southlands
Enjoy this quaint, manmade ice rink this winter. Here you can find skates in sizes from toddler, up to size 8, adult sizes up to 15, and double-runners for young children. The venue also offers skate aides on a first-come basis.
Keep in mind it’s best to buy tickets in advance, because even if you want to get tickets at the venue, they use QR codes for purchasing.
When: Daily until February 26, but check the website for various times and special dates when it’s closed.
Where: Near the AMC Southlands 16 Theatres on Town Square, Southlands, 6100 South Main Street, Aurora
Cost: $12 per person, including skate rental and 75 minutes of ice time.
How to save: Look for discounts on group tickets.
The Rink at Evergreen Lake
Because ice skating on Evergreen Lake depends on weather and how frozen the lake is, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact date of opening.
When: The Ice Rinks at Evergreen’s Lake House is now open daily from 9 am to 7 pm through January 4 except for the following days and times:
December 24: 9 am-3 pm
December 25: 10 am-3 pm
December 31: 10 am-8 pm
January 1: 3 pm-7 pm (Polar Plunge 12 pm)
Always call the Skating/Weather Hotline before visiting at 720-880-1391, as Ice Rinks are open depending on weather conditions.
Transport: Shuttles will run every day from Stagecoach Park during the Winter Break Schedule through January 4th. Shuttles will run only on weekends/holidays beginning on January 5, 2023.
Where: 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen.
Cost: $15 per person, $20 includes admission & skate rental. Age 4 and under are free.
How to save: Save $30 by buying a punch card for $120. It’s good for 10 visits. This punch card can be used for all members of the family. These punches are only valid for the season in which they are purchased. No refunds or credit will be given for unused punches. Expires at end of skate season.
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Ice skate at Gaylord Rockies. Photo by Gaylord Rockies
As part of the resort’s holiday offerings, there’s a man-made, outdoor ice skating rink too. Anyone can go if they purchase a ticket, it’s not just for hotel guests or for those who buy the whole Christmas package.
Purchase tickets online, and go and enjoy some time on the ice. Bonus, there are handy skate helpers for little kids available at no extra charge.
When: Now through January 1, 2023, check website for various times
Where: 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora
Cost: $24.95 per person
How to save: Look for discounts online. Some days and times may be cheaper. And, if you buy a package for the events the overall cost is cheaper.