By Amber Sutton
Who doesn’t love a little ice skating during the holiday season?
While our state might be known for its higher-than-we’d-like temperatures, even during the winter months, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on spending some time on the ice thanks to several year-round and seasonal ice rinks throughout the state.
So whether you’re a first-timer just looking for something festive to do or an experienced ice skater looking to show off your skills, here are 7 places you can ice skate in Alabama in the coming weeks.
Skaters enjoy the ice at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena in Alabama. (Frank Couch)
Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena
500 Amphitheater Road in Pelham
The Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena offers not one, but two NHL-sized arenas, making it the perfect place to enjoy a little time on the ice. Public skating, which costs $10 for admission and $3 for skate rentals, is available on a first-come, first-served basis and times vary by day, so be sure to check the complex’s calendar before making your plans. It’s worth noting that the complex also offers the Pelham Skate School for those beginners who want to learn more about figure skating and hockey or just find their footing on the ice.
Huntsville Ice Sports Center
3185 Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville
Huntsville’s Benton H. Wilcoxon Municipal Ice Sports Center is offering public skate times throughout the month of December for those looking to get in a little time on the ice during the holidays. Hours for public skates vary by day, and pre-registration is available, and recommended, online to secure a spot on the ice. General admission is $10 per person plus $3 for skate rentals. Also, the center is hosting several special events, including a “Swiftie Skate” and a “Noon Years Eve Skate,” through the end of the month.
Skating in the Park
200 Church St. S.W. in Huntsville
For the 12th year in a row, Rocket City residents and visitors alike can enjoy a little time on the ice this holiday season thanks to Skating in the Park, a seasonal attraction hosted by the Huntsville Museum of Art inside Big Spring Park. The outdoor ice rink, which will be open through Jan. 5 with hours varying by day, will host a variety of special events, including a live DJ and “Turkey Bowl” in addition to public skates in the days leading up to Christmas. Admission is $15 for ages 10 and up.
Holidays on the Plaza
618 21st Ave. in Tuscaloosa
In addition to Tuscaloosa’s festive Tinsel Trail, families can also enjoy ice skating together at a seasonal, outdoor ice skating rink, which is part of the city’s Holidays on the Plaza at Government Plaza. Operation hours for the ice skating rink, which will remain open through Jan. 20, vary and admission is $15 per person, which includes skate rental. Holidays on the Plaza also has several special events, including discounted family skate nights on Tuesdays and appearances from Santa on Sundays, scheduled through the month.
Montgomery Whitewater
1100 Maxwell Boulevard in Montgomery
Montgomery Whitewater might be known for its rapids during the summer months, but during the winter months, it’s offering locals and visitors of the Capital City a different kind of thrill with the addition of a 5,000-square-foot outdoor rink made with real ice. Operating hours for the ice rink vary, and a pass to skate for 90 minutes is $20 per person. If you aren’t able to get in a skate during the rush of the holidays, no worries. The rink is expected to remain open through January.
Ice Skating at The Wharf
23101 Canal Road in Orange Beach
Who doesn’t love to go ice skating during a trip to the beach? This holiday season, you can hit the ice at The Wharf in Orange Beach’s seasonal ice skating rink, which is located near the main entrance and will be open through Jan. 20. Skate times vary by day, but general admission is $15, which includes skate rentals. You can also bring in an empty Pepsi product bottle to save $1 on your admission.
Sand Mountain Skate
314 Sand Mountain Drive in Albertville
Sand Mountain Skate, located in the heart of downtown Albertville’s entertainment district, is the largest, real outdoor ice skating rink in North Alabama, offering plenty of space for those looking to hit the ice this holiday season. That said, opening hours vary by day and reservations are required to skate at the rink, which will be open through Jan. 11. Admission prices are based on what time your reservation is as well as whether you bring your own skates.
