Minnesotans love ice, snow and winter, or at least they tolerate them or move elsewhere. One of the most loved winter activities in Minnesota is ice skating. During the skating season, locals sharpen their blades and head down to their favorite place to skate around. Hockey teams and broomball leagues get ready for games and practice their skills on local rinks as well. Never skated before? No problem. Ice skating lessons are easy to find in Minnesota and anyone out skating can give you a few pointers if you ask. Try one of these places for skating this winter; indoor and outdoor venues are listed and easy to find.
Bloomington Ice Garden(credit: City of Bloomington)
One of the biggest venues for indoor skating in the state, the Bloomington Ice Garden houses three skating rinks for public skating. One of the rinks, an Olympic-sized rink, will welcome a National Figure Skating competition this season. Times are designated for different types of skating, from freestyle to pond hockey. A skating school is also available to teach and perfect skating techniques. Check the website for open skating times at the Ice Garden.
Each year, Rice Park in downtown St. Paul hosts an outdoor ice skating party that lasts from December until February. An artificially chilled rink in Rice Park is created to attract locals to gather and enjoy the winter in an urban and historic setting. Admission to the rink is free and skates are available to rent for a reasonable price. Skate all day and enjoy hockey games at night. Events take place throughout the season and broomball teams sign up to play tournaments in Rice Park. Stop by the warming house for some hot chocolate if you find yourself getting chilled.
Duluth Heritage Sports Center
120 S 30th Ave. W
Duluth, MN 55806
(218) 464-1711 www.duluthheritage.com
Voted the best place to play indoor ice hockey in Minnesota, the Duluth Heritage Sports Center makes the list of hockey arenas. This indoor area has two hockey rinks and enough open time for players to practice skating and hockey moves. The Sports Center also houses a concessions stand, skate shop and a place to get your skates sharpened for maximum performance. Open from September until June, the Sports Center hosts a long season of hockey and skating for the community to learn that practice truly does make perfect.Related:Most Famous Ice Rinks In Minnesota
Detroit Lakes is know as a Minnesota Star City for its location up north and highly rated parks and recreational facilities. People's Park is a favorite destination for locals year round in Detroit Lakes. In the summer, the park houses picnic areas, basketball courts, playground equipment and horseshoe pits. During the winter, the fun continues with three outdoor ice skating rinks carefully managed and tended for winter activity. Join a hockey game or learn to skate on one of these traditional outdoor rinks. Enjoy the nearby warming house if needed and have a day of fun without spending a ton of cash.
St. Louis Park Rec Center 3700 Monterey Drive
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
(952) 924-2540 www.stlouispark.org
This is a great place to go skating, but the St. Louis Park Rec Center also houses the very best place to take ice skating lessons. The ice academy welcomes first-time students year round and turns them into more confident skaters and even advanced performers. Children are welcome into beginning lessons and progress through skills that bring them up through the skating levels to become more skilled at skating. Two rinks house figure skating and hockey lessons and many games are played here throughout the year. The rec center is affordable for lessons, public skating and free for those who want to go and watch. Enjoy a great indoor rink that is open year round.Related: Best Skateparks In The Twin Cities
Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for the last 10 years. Her hobbies include exercising, driving kids around, watching Minnesota sports, and reading self-help literature. Examiner.com.
