Whether you gracefully glide or awkwardly totter across the ice, Colorado’s outdoor rinks deliver solid scenic venues for a fun family outing, timeless romantic date or old-fashioned game of broomball.
Welcoming the pastime’s growing popularity, numerous Colorado communities have successfully brought ice skating back, by carving out quaint rinks and piping in traditional holiday music. Natural and man-made rinks grace the Front Range with backdrops that range from glittering storefronts to snowy mountain ranges. Most stay open late into the evening and are open on weekends. It’s a fun, accessible and inexpensive activity for all ages.
Skating in:
Fort Collins
Estes Park
Boulder
Evergreen
Nederland
Fort Collins
For a true winter wonderland feel, head to Fort Collins’ popular historic Old Town. The pedestrian area’s outdoor ice-skating rink is located on the north end of Old Town Square at the corner of Walnut and Linden streets with ample, nearby street parking that’s free on weekends.
The urban rink is surrounded by downtown shops, restaurants and pubs that act as windbreaks, limiting your exposure to the winter chill. And holiday lights reflect off shop windows for an inviting experience.
Cost: Skating $2/person; skate rental $1/pair.
Hours: Schedule to be announced in November.
More information: Check the full season schedule at downtownfortcollins.com/dba.php/holiday
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Estes Park
Head up to higher country for a genuine skating hideaway. The YMCA of the Rockies just outside of Estes Park offers outdoor ice skating surrounded by Rocky Mountain National Park's dramatic snow-covered peaks.
You'll glide around Dorsey Lake, located at the entrance to the Estes Park Center. YMCA staff ensures the ice is checked and snow is plowed off on a regular basis. The YMCA is 65 miles northwest of Denver. Att a little more than 8,000 feet, the winter air can pack a stronger chill, so bundle up and be sure to take advantage of the YMCA’s hot chocolate and inviting fireplaces.
Cost: Skating, $3/person (children 9 and under free); Skate Rental, $5/person. Visit the Sweet Memorial building for rentals.
Hours: Call (970) 586-4444 for hours of operation.
More information: Visit ymcarockies.org. Click on Recreation and Estes Park Center.
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Boulder
Just one block off the Pearl Street Mall, the Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza you'll find an exceptional metropolitan skating venue. The outdoor rink is bordered by cafes, restaurants and boutiques in the heart of eclectic downtown Boulder.
The rink promotes healthy recreation for all ages by offering special events and theme parties—including a Valentine’s Day party, along with private skating lessons and workshops. Bring gloves, extra socks and helmets for the kids.
Cost: Adults $5; Children (4–12) $4; Children (3 and younger) free; Seniors (60 and older) $3. Skate rental $3. Note: Admission does not include skate rental.
Hours: Open November 21, 2008–February 16, 2009. Regular hours: Monday and Tuesday, 2 pm–7 pm; Wednesday and Thursday, 10 am–7 pm; Friday and Saturday, 10 am–10 pm; Sunday 10am–7pm. Also open on holidays.
More information: Visit www.oneboulderplaza.com/icerink for special events, discount skating sessions and winter break/holiday hours.
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Evergreen
Just west of Denver, the 40-acre Evergreen Lake is a skating haven. This natural, frozen destination includes an observation boardwalk, 1.3-mile-long trail loop and historic boathouse.
When you need to defrost, the Evergreen Lake House offers a fireplace and warming hut. And you can reserve portions of the lake-skating area for private parties, hockey games and broomball. The rink is located at 29614 Upper Bear Creek Road. Parking is limited.
Cost: Youth (12 and younger) $4; Teen (13–18) $4.25; Adults (19–54) $4.50; Seniors (55 and older) $4. Also offers punch cards and season passes. Skate rentals: $3/hour.
Hours: Subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions. Call Evergreen Lake’s skating hotline at 303-512-9300 (updated daily) before heading to the lake.
More information: Check out www.evergreenrecreation.com for details.
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Nederland
For a more remote ice-skating venue, Nederland Ice and Racquet Park delivers an expanded skating area, warming hut, lighted night skate and plenty of fresh mountain air. The open-air 180x80-foot sheet of ice located in Nederland’s Indian Peaks Subdivision is a volunteer-run rink in the winter and three free tennis courts in the summer.
The full-sized venue is partially built into the hillside, providing protection from the wind for skaters and shade for the ice—ideal for maintaining prime skating conditions. If you're looking for a true mountain skating experience, this is it: the entire property is heavily forested, providing a picturesque setting. At an elevation of 8,500 feet, the air can be cooler, so dress warmly with extra layers. Learn-to-skate lessons are available by appointment.
Cost: Guest passes $5/day for adults and children, season passes are available. Rentals are not consistently available, as of yet.
Hours: Vary (dependent upon volunteer availability).
More information: Visit www.nedrink.com for updated hours and activity schedules.
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Related information:
Colorado in the Snow Activities
Ice Skating in the High Country