The best ice skating spots in West Virginia are a good reminder that this state is home to more than just great winter and spring skiing. Though lots of folks do make the trip to the mountains of West Virginia during ski season each year they may be missing out on something special if they don’t occasionally take time to go beyond the snow covered peaks, the snow tubing chutes and all the other snow related activities to try out some of these best ice skating spots in West Virginia.
South Charleston Memorial Arena, South Charleston, WV In 2001 construction was completed and the South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena was opened at Trace Fork Plaza in West Virginia. The centerpiece of this facility is the regulation length hockey rink that is now home to all kinds of on ice fun fro area residents. The South Charleston Memorial Arena obviously offers a great surface for learning to play hockey and engaging in competitive games. It is also a wonderful spot for developing your figure skating ability or for taking skating lessons to get you beyond the basics and on to feeling comfortable on the ice.
The Arena has additional small function rooms that allow for the hosting of birthday parties and other social get togethers. There is also an arcade on site . Because this is a relatively new facility everything is still state of the art . The arena was built to provide quality recreation for residents in this area of all ages and it seems equal to the task. For specific information about skating activities, public skating times, party rentals or admission fees call at 304-744-4423
Morgantown Ice Arena, Morgantown, WV Seasonally , from September – April if you want to enjoy on ice action in the Morgantown area, then head out for the Morgantown Ice Arena in Morgantown, WV. This is another regulation size hockey rink that serves multiple purposes. In the remote mountain areas of West Virginia the Morgantown Ice Arena may well be one of the best ice skating spots in West Virginia.
During the skating season the arena is used for hockey, public skating and social gatherings. There are concession stands here and what is really nice is a warming room away from the rink area that features a nice cozy fire. You may feel like you are at some up scale lodge when you come off the ice and get a chance to warm up by the fire.
An attractive feature of the Morgantown Ice Arena is that Thursday nights are “Adult Nights” . Beginning at 6:05-6 :50 p.m. there are adult only ice skating lessons at which you can learn the fundamentals with others who are similarly skating challenged. Also on Thursdays from 9-10:30 p.m. is adult only public skating offered, with skate rental included, at only $4 per session. It’s a great bargain and adults can enjoy skating in the company of other adults in a child free environment. For more information about public skating times and prices call ahead at 304 -296-8356
Wheeling Park, Wheeling, WV Wheeling Park, with its 406 acres of recreational land, offers fun and adventure for almost a half million people each year. What has expanded the use of this park and all its facilities has been, in part, the construction back in 1959, of an indoor ice arena. What once was a magnificent outdoor park, was immediately transformed into a year round recreation area for Wheeling and area residents.
From October – February there’s lots of on ice activity at Wheeling Park. You can connect with a youth hockey team, drop by for a game of adult pick up hockey, , sign up for figure skating lessons or enjoy public skating sessions. Admission prices are kept down here. Children can skate for $4 per session and adults for $5 while skate rentals are offered at $3.25. There are season memberships that make regular public skating very affordable indeed.
There are daytime public skating sessions available at Wheeling Park Rink from 12 – 3 p.m. on weekdays. More extended hours are provided on weekends including evening hours from 7:30-10:00 p.m. As with most public skating arenas it is very important to call in advance to check on the availability of public skating time in advance. At Wheeling Park you can call 1-800-624-6988 with all your rink related questions.
Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center. The “Washingtonian Magazine” calls Canaan Valley a 6,000 acre ” mountain playground” and it lives up to its reputation there are all sorts of winter activities from which to choose including downhill and cross country skiing and snow tubing . For the ice skaters in your group there is also a very interesting ice skating surface to enjoy.
A bit unconventional, especially for a resort and conference center, is the Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center outdoor skating rink. There is definitely a charm about skating in a facility that will remind you more of skating on a covered bridge than on a traditional hockey or figure skating rink. That’s simply because the rink at Canaan Valley is for the most part an outdoor rink that is positioned under a covered bridge style sheltering roof with open sides to continue the feel of outdoor skating. It is a very unique atmosphere that is enhanced by the presence of an outdoor warming fire and hot chocolate that will keep you going . For more information about available skate times and admission prices call at . 1-800- 622-4121
