Vail, Colorado offers a plethora of activities beyond skiing, making it an enchanting winter destination for both skiers and non-skiers alike. Embrace the chilly charm of this alpine village by bundling up and lacing up your skates for some delightful ice skating in Vail Village and Lionshead Village. Alternatively, venture down to Eagle for a spirited game of pick-up hockey, where players of all ages, from six to sixty, come together for some friendly competition. In a town steeped in snow sports tradition, Vail ice skating stands out as a family-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy together.
The town of Vail boasts three ice skating rinks. Two are outdoors and open only during the winter. One is an indoor ice skating rink that is open year round.
Just a few miles west, the Town of Avon also operates two outdoor skating rinks weather permitting during the winter. And, up the hill from Avon, Beaver Creek has another alpine village ice skating rink open in the winter.
A few miles further west the Town of Eagle also operates two free outdoor skating rinks weather permitting. And, Mountain Rec boasts a large indoor skating rink. Here’s what you want to know about these Vail ice skating rinks.
Town of Vail Ice Skating Rinks
Alderhof Ice Rink
675 Lionshead Place Vail CO 81657 | 970-429-5045
This ice skating rink is run by the Arrabelle hotel. It is located at Vail Square in the heart of Lionshead. The rink is open daily throughout the winter, typically starting at Thanksgiving.
This may be our favorite Vail ice skating rink to splurge on. It is well maintained in a beautiful setting and not too crowded.
For winter 2022 – 2023, ice skate rentals are $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. An adult 3-day pass is available for $45 and a child 3-day pass is $35. Skate rentals include use of the ice rink. If you bring your own skates, it is $5 to use the ice skating rink.
This ice rink is open 2 – 9 pm daily.
Solaris Ice Skating Rink
141 E Meadow Dr #1000 Vail CO 81657 | (970) 476-9000
The outdoor ice skating rink located at the Solaris in Vail Village is open daily during the winter. Skate rentals available next to the bōl restaurant in the Solaris. This is the ice rink that most commonly features special ice skating performances around the holidays. There is a cost to skate, and they also have ice skates available for rent for a fee.
John A Dobson Ice Arena
321 East Lionshead Circle Vail CO 81657 | 970-479-2271
Dobson Ice Arena is located in the heart of Vail on the in-town bus route on West Meadow Drive across from the Vail Library. It is one of the largest multi-purpose ice facilities in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Large enough to host concerts and even a circus, it is open year-round for hockey, figure skating and broomball. Dobson offers a variety of public-skate times, classes, leagues and competitions. For the recreational skater, the ice arena hosts open skating sessions for all ages and abilities as well as a wide array of hockey options for youth and adults, beginners to seasoned players.
In 2020, Dobson Ice Arena began offering ice bumper cars! Our family tried this out at Gaylord Rockies ICE! and LOVED it. We will be checking it out at Dobson soon. Keep an eye on our Instagram to get the scoop.
Town of Avon Ice Skating Rinks
Avon Recreation Department
90 Lake Street Avon CO 81620 | (970) 748-4060
Avon has offered one ice sheet outside the Avon Recreation Center, located at 90 Lake Street, that is family and children oriented. A second sheet in the south east corner of the Nottingham Park soccer field is geared towards hockey and games. Both sheets of ice are free to ice skate with your own skates. In recent years, the town has also opened ice skating on the pond when it is frozen enough. This is monitored and often may be closed. Skate rentals are available at the Avon Recreation Center for $8.
Beaver Creek Ice Skating Rinks
Beaver Creek Village Ice Skating
60 Avondale Lane Avon, CO 81620 | (970) 845-0438
This outdoor rink in the middle of Beaver Creek village is open both summer and winter. Skating at the Beaver Creek Ice Rink provides endless fun for everyone in the family. It is a quaint alpine village ambiance surrounded by heater cobblestone sidewalks, restaurants and shopping.
$5 admission with your own skates; $10 admission and rentals for ages 12 and under; $15 admission and rentals for ages 13+.
This ice skating rink is open 1 pm – 8 pm daily.
For something different, Ice Bikes are available to rent here from 12:00-12:30 pm, 12:30-1:00 pm, 8:00-8:30 pm and from 8:30-9:00 pm daily.
Eagle Ice Skating Rinks
Eagle Pool & Ice Rink
1700 Bull Pasture Road Eagle, CO 81631 | (970) 328-5277
This indoor NHL-sized ice rink is open fall to spring. Check the schedule for Drop-In Hockey, Stick & Puck & Public Skate times. Daily admission ranges from $7 – 12, with ages 3 and under free. Skates are available to rent.
Tom Ehrenberg Memorial Rink
Eagle Town Park
For more than eighty years, volunteer dads (and moms) have been building the outdoor ice skating rinks in Eagle Town Park. These rinks are loosely maintained, meaning there’s no Zamboni smoothing the ice. Rather it is typically smoothed by volunteers using a scraping tool.
But fire pits, benches and a collection of free-to-use hockey sticks adorn the edges of the rink. It is here that you will find people from all walks of life and ages ranging from about six to sixty playing pick up hockey games. The rink runs through the winter when it is cold enough to build and as long as it stays frozen.
The area is well lit in the evening between holiday lights and the fire pits. Evening can also be a fun time to skate and socialize.
Ice Skating in Other Areas
Did you know that New York is also a mecca for winter wonderland ice skating? Check out this article on Hudson Valley ice skating!
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