Best Ice Skating Spots in Utah

The best ice skating spots in Utah don’t receive as much of the publicity as some of the other vacation spots in that state. We all have been dazzled by the pictures of the outstanding down hill skiing locations in Utah that can’t help but grab your attention. But once you have visited some of the best ice skating spots in Utah you may be as impressed by their quality as you are by Utah’s skiing venues. If you really put your mind to it you can find some great ski spots that have decided to broaden their horizons by also providing some of the best ice skating spots in Utah.

The Peaks Arena, Provo, Utah. A highly useful remnant of the 2002 Winter Olympics the Peaks Arena in Provo, Utah offers fun for all ages and skating for all levels of proficiency. Whether you are interested in learning to play hockey, figure skate or just want to get out and do what you can on two blades the Peaks Arena has the time and the place for you. Besides you know you will be skating where world stars once lit it up.

At the Peaks Arena there are hockey lessons and pickup games and its hockey for all ages and both genders, no one is left out . Public skating time for families and those who just like unstructured skating time is 11:30 a.m- 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m – 5:30 p.m. on Mon,Wed. and Friday. On those same days night time skating is offered from 7-9 p.m. Public skating also takes center stage on Saturday 2-4 and 7-10 p.m.

The price for adults is $4 per session and children 11 and under skate at $3.50. You can also rent skates for $1.50 Families are advised that you can buy season passes that may help to shave the cost of recreation for those who frequent the Peaks. Best of all the Peaks Arena is open year round .

Gallivan Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. For Salt Lake City residents there is plenty of ice space and time available at the Gallivan Center between Main and State Streets. The rink here will remain open for public skating every day of the week until the official end of the center ice skating season on Feb. 28. This gives beginners plenty of time to get the basic skills down and experienced skaters time to enjoy one of their favorite winter pastimes.

The Gallivan Center Rink is open Mon-Thurs noon- 9p.m. Friday and Saturday noon- 11p.m. and Sunday noon- 7p.m. Adult Admission is $5 while seniors 60 years of age or older can enter and enjoy for $3 Kids under 12 skate for $4 There are skate rentals for $3 each .

Because of the considerable scheduling of special events at the Gallivan Center it is suggested that you call in advance to check on the availability of public skating times by call at 535-6110.

Utah Olympic Oval , Salt Lake City, Utah. Just 25 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City is Utah’s famous Olympic Oval. Made famous as the “fastest ice in the world” by skaters in the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Utah Oval is another holdover that has continued to pay great dividends to skating enthusiasts and the people of Utah.

Not only is the Oval a much visited tourist site, frequented by those who just want to look, it has also become a great recreational center for those who want to train or just enjoy the thrill of skating. Public skating is actually available at the Utah Olympic Oval all year round. There are learn to skate programs here and every month there are “cheapskate ” sessions when admission prices are reduced. Skating is always fun, but being able to skate where Olympians skated is a real kick.

For more information about the Utah Olympic Oval visit www.saltlakecityutah.org/utaholympicoval

Park City Mountain Ski Resort. Out west Park City Mountain Ski Resort is a well tested and highly tauted area for year round recreation. During the winter season Park City Mountain Resort opens its outdoor ice skating rink for the fun of all. Perhaps you have someone in your family or group that just doesn’t care for skiing but love to skate or maybe you have a number of people who enjoy both sports equally and are glad to pack up their skates and their skis when heading off to Park City. They won’t be disappointed. When you can find skating at a ski resort you will feel like you have found one of the best ice skating spots in Idaho.

It’s great to have an alternative activity for the kids that doesn’t require so much physical effort and supervision as skiing might. It’s also nice to have a place right on location if you decide you want to take an evening skate under the lights and the stars. Park City Mountain Ski Resort may continue to be one of Utah’s best know ski resorts but you now have your own secret. Park City Mountain also offers one of the best ice skating spots in Utah.