lifenow

Where to Ice Skate in Airdrie: The Ultimate Guide to Indoor and Outdoor rinks

Story by Josie Randall

Winter 2023/24

It’s not quite time to hang up your skates yet.

Though the weather has been relatively mild this winter season, there are still plenty of ways to get out and enjoy ice skating indoors and outdoors in Airdrie.

 

Indoor Public Skating

Indoor public skating is offered at three Airdrie facilities – Genesis Place Twin Arenas, Ron Ebbesen Twin Arenas and Plainsmen Arena. Public skating at these facilities is free to attend.

Besides general public skating, many arenas offer parent and tot, youth and adult skates along with female shinny hockey and ringette skates at no cost.

All arenas come with a set of guidelines to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

Skaters are encouraged to to wear CSA (Canadian Standards Association) helmets, particularly for those 12 years and under. All participants are required to wear skates while on the ice, and the use of city-provided and CSA-approved skate aids is allowed during public and parent and tot skating sessions.

Hockey sticks and pucks are restricted during public skate times.

Unacceptable behavior, including excessive speed, horseplay, or the use of foul language, may result in participants being asked to leave.

Carrying children on shoulders or in arms while skating is also discouraged, and the consumption of food and drink on the ice surface is prohibited.

For more information on indoor skating, including schedules visit: www.airdrie.ca/index.

 

Outdoor Public Skating

There are currently three natural outdoor surfaces available for the public to skate on – Nose Creek Pond, Summerhill and Waterstone.

These surfaces are plowed after ice thickness is measured to 10 or more inches. As of February 6, 2024, all three surfaces measure 15-inches thick.

The City’s Parks department also maintains a total of six boarded rinks and six snowbank rinks.

These rinks are available for all residents to use and enjoy on a first come, first served basis, with lights on until 11 p.m.

Boarded rinks are located at:

  • Bayside Drive
  • Big Springs Crescent green space
  • Chinook Winds Regional Park
  • East Lake Regional Park
  • Kings Heights Drive
  • Monklands Regional Park

 

Snowbank rinks are designed more for pleasure skating and the use of hockey sticks is strongly discouraged. These rinks are located at:

  • Bayview Way Park (Tennis courts at Bayview Way/Bayview Street)
  • Fletcher Regional Park
  • Plainsmen Arena/Jensen Park
  • Ravenswood (green space at Ravensmoor CM and Ravensmoor Way)
  • Town and Country Centre
  • Windsong (Green space near Windstone Ave)

The City of Airdrie reminds residents using outdoor rinks to always skate with a partner, wear appropriate warm clothing and safety gear including a helmet.

For more information on outdoor rinks visit: www.airdrie.ca/index.