Now that the weather has finally taken a chilly turn, it’s time for classic winter activities. While there isn’t snow (yet), several skating rinks have already opened around the metro.
The city of Denver won’t open its usual rink at Skyline Park in downtown due to construction. But there are plenty of other options to celebrate the cold this holiday season. Here’s where to skate in and around Denver.
Denver
1901 Wazee St., Denver
Nov. 28 to Jan. 25
The only option to skate downtown this year is at the McGregor Square plaza, near Coors Field. It will host an ice rink starting Black Friday. A tree-lighting ceremony is scheduled that day, Nov. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $9 for children, including skate rentals.
Joe Burns Arena at The Ritchie Center,
University of Denver, 2250 E. Jewell Ave.
Open year-round
This is an indoor rink at the University of Denver. Sessions cost $15 per person, or free to students. Reservations are required and can be made online. Public skate sessions last for an hour and vary throughout the day. Times can be found on their website. The rink is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. but is only open for public skating during the public skate sessions.
Lakewood
439 S. Teller St, Lakewood
Nov. 21 to Jan. 4
The Rink at Belmar is in Lakewood’s shopping district. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for kids, including skate rentals. There also are winter wagon rides around Belmar, which depart from the plaza where the rink is located. “Drinks Around the Rink” will offer beverages for sale from Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse, Little India, Tstreet and Wasabi Sushi Bar. The rink opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon on Saturday and Sunday. Closing times vary and can be found on their website.
Arvada
Olde Town Square at 57th and Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
Nov. 26 to Jan. 29
The skating rink in Olde Town Arvada opened this week. It’s open seven days a week and you can skate under the lights of the Olde Town Tree.
The rink opens at 4 p.m. Mon-Fri and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The closing times vary, as well as the holiday hours, and can be found on the website. Admission plus skate rentals costs $10 for adults and $7 for kids 11 and under. Olde Town is having a tree lighting ceremony on Saturday.
13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada
Open year-round
The ice rink inside Arvada’s Apex recreational center has a public skating schedule that can be found here.
Public skating hours are subject to change and visitors should call 303-403-2598 to confirm. For ages 6 to 61, admission is either $8 with a reservation or $11 without one. For children ages 2 to 5, admission is either $2.50 or $3, depending on reservation status.
Skate rentals cost $4 with a reservation or $5.50 without one.
Evergreen
29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd., Evergreen
Opening day to be determined
Evergreen Parks and Recreation is offering ice skating and other winter activities at Evergreen Lake. It costs $15 per person, or $20 with skate rental. Children 4 and under are free, or rent the whole rink for $150 per hour. Annual passes cost $200. The rinks may close due to weather.
Westminster
10710 Westminster Blvd., Westminster
Open year-round
The Ice Centre at the Promenade has public skating sessions throughout the week with varying times. The public skate schedule can be found here. There are also intermittent “cheap skate” times. Regular admission is $10 for adults and $2 for kids 3 and under with a paying adult. Skate rentals are $4 and skate aids, helmets and lockers are also available to rent. People who have city of Westminster or Hyland Hills discount cards can get a discounted rate.
Parker
Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park
20115 E. Mainstreet, Parker
Nov. 28 to Feb. 28
Located next to Parker's library on Mainstreet, this ice trail is one of the only in the country, according to its website. The rink opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sundays and 5 p.m. on weekdays. It closes at 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sundays. The trail is meant to imitate a frozen river or canal. People can buy day passes for $10 or season passes for $165, with skate rentals included.
Littleton
4810 E. County Line Rd., Highlands Ranch
Open year-round
The rink at the South Suburban Recreation center has public skate sessions and the full calendar can be found here. Admissions and skate rentals cost $7 Monday through Friday, and $7.50 on Friday nights for residents. For non-residents, it's $9 through the week and $9.50 Friday nights.
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, admission and rentals are $7.50 for residents and $9.50 for non residents.
Aurora
6100 S. Main St., Aurora
Nov. 7 to March 1
This rink is in Aurora’s Town Square shopping center and is open seven days a week. The rink is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. It opens at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and closes at 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15.50 online and $14 in person, including skate rentals. The rink is surrounded by the outdoor mall’s shops and restaurants.
