You asked: “Dear XAMAS! Please recommend ice skating rinks that I should visit during the winter holidays.”
XAMAS answers: If you’re looking for a different ice skating experience from indoor skating rinks, consider booking a vacation to these natural outdoor ice skating rinks during your next vacation in the winter months. Usually open from November to early March, here’s a quick list of notable locations often mentioned by travel magazines.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada is one of the most recommended outdoor natural ice skating rinks in travel magazines, and rightly so. Located in Banff National Park, skaters get a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of snow-capped Canadian Rockies and the Victoria Glacier surrounding the frozen lake’s skating rink. A wonderful ice castle is hand-carved every year and serves as the centrepiece on the rink.
Lake Weissensee in Carinthia, Austria freezes over in the winter months, becoming the largest natural ice surface in Europe to give skaters an almost endless expanse of ice to glide in. The 25-kilometre-long ice skating areas have ice that is up to 40 cm thick. If you’re a competitive skater, you can also take Ice skating and speed skating lessons offered at the academy.
Zermatt, Switzerland is home to two natural ice rinks and one artificial rink set to magnificent snow-covered mountains of the Swiss Alps. The picturesque Alpine village is located near the base of one of Europe’s highest peaks, the Matterhorn. This is the famous mountain that inspired the logo of Toblerone and its triangular shaped chocolate. Besides having fun skating in the rinks during wintertime, you’ll be basking in a wonderland setting of a snowy village where horse-drawn carriages and sleighs are a popular form of transportation.
Keystone Lake in Colorado USA is located within the Rocky Mountains at Keystone Resort. During winter, the lake becomes the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the United States. You’ll be skating on the frozen lake against the beautiful backdrop of soaring snow-covered mountains. There are many other winter activities to take part in, including skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing and sleigh rides.
Grouse Mountain - Vancouver, Canada has a scenic snowy mountain-top pond rink at the height of 3,700 feet. The huge ice skating pond measure 8000 square foot and you’ll have ample space to glide and enjoy a spin in the fresh mountain air. During Christmas season, the mountain transforms into Vancouver’s North Pole, decorated with a reindeer pen, sleigh rides and Santa’s workshop.
Before you head out for your vacation, XAMAS store has just the right gear you need for a practical and stylish outing. Select from well-cut jackets and pants to wear underneath your winter coats and more. Buy ice skating wear online from XAMAS store or at your local pro skate shops.
Don’t forget to buy ice skating gloves to protect your hands from the cold and other protective gear, such as knee pads to ensure safety if you’re not an experienced skater.
If you are not sure how to buy ice skating wear online or need help to choose and buy ice skating gloves that is suitable for your trip, get in touch with us! We are happy to help.
Share with us in the comments below or Instagram/facebook #askXAMAS which outdoor ice skating rinks you’ve visited and loved! You may just be a lucky winner of a special Ask XAMAS mystery prize!