Ice skating is a fantastic winter activity suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Whether you're looking for a fun family outing or a place to hone your skating skills, there are numerous ice skating rinks offering a variety of programs and amenities.
Public Skating and Open Sessions
Many ice skating rinks offer open skate sessions, which are available to skaters of all ages. Pre-registration is often required for these sessions. Some rinks also host senior skate sessions specifically for those aged 50 and over, also requiring pre-registration.
Open Skate schedules and blocks are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check the rink's website or call ahead for the most up-to-date information. Many ice skating rinks have skate rentals and snack concessions available.
Learn to Skate Programs
For those new to the ice, drop-in learn to skate lessons provide instruction on the basics of balance, forward stride, starting, and stopping. These lessons are a great way to gain confidence and develop fundamental skating skills.
If you want to learn how to skate for recreation or learn how to figure skate, these classes are for you. This class will build confidence on and off the ice. Lessons will teach you balance, coordination and the basic fundamentals of skating. The cost of the program includes a skate rental, as well as a punch card for the registrant to use for admission into eight public skate sessions.
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- Snowflake 1: This class teaches the beginning basics of skating. Learning how to fall down and get up off and on the ice.
- Snowflake 2: This class builds on the progress from Snowflake 1 and boosts confidence moving on the ice.
- Snowflake 3: This class builds on the progress from Snowflake 2 and students will get more involved in skating forward and backward.
- Snowflake 4: This class builds on the progress from Snowflake 3 and will work on more advanced edge work. Learning how to stop will be completed in this class.
Beginner Classes
- Beginner 1: This is the starter class for skaters who are 7 years old and older who have not skated before. Students will learn how to glide and do basic movements forward and backward.
- Beginner 2: This class is for students who have completed the Beginner 1 class.
- Beginner 3: This class covers basic forward and backward skating skills, turning techniques and use of the edges on your skate blades.
Hockey Programs
For hockey enthusiasts, many rinks offer various programs, including:
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- Stick & Puck: Offers open access to the ice specifically for practicing stickhandling, skating and shooting skills.
- Pond Hockey Practice: Practice non-contact battling up to 5-on-5 skaters. No slap shots or body checking allowed and hockey helmets are required.
- Rat Hockey: Rat hockey is a pick-up game available for players 18-years-old and older. Slap shots are allowed. Body checking is not allowed. A minimum of eight participants are required for rat hockey play.
All players participating in Stick & Puck and Rat Hockey will be required to wear a helmet, shin pads, cup and hockey gloves. Skaters must bring their own equipment, including hockey stick. Some rinks also offer leagues and events for all ages and skill levels. From tournaments to pick-up games, the action never stops!
Learn-to-Skate Classes for Hockey
Do you want to get your child on the right path to play in a hockey league? It all starts here in our Learn-to-Skate Classes. These classes will teach your skater the basics of skating geared toward those who want to play hockey.
- Level 1: In this level your skater will learn all the basics from falling and recovery to basic hockey stance.
- Level 2: If your skater can stand and move on their own they are ready for this level.
Check out these classes that are designed to teach you the basics of hockey skills (stick handling, shooting, skating and passing). In order to enroll in this class, your player must know how to skate backward, crossover and stop without running into the boards. They must also be able to skate from one side of the rink to the other and be able to turn in both directions, all without falling.
Important Reminders
Be sure you have selected the correct date, session time and type of reservation (with skate rental or with own skates). No refunds are given.
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If the session reserved has been canceled by management (due to weather, emergency, safety issues, etc.), refunds will be processed. All refunds may take up to five business days to process. Session cancellations are typically made the day of a scheduled session. Cancellations may include the entire day or specific sessions.
A select number of reservation types is available. If your reservation type is unavailable, please check back to see if spots open.
Year-Round Ice Skating
Ice skating excitement is not limited to Winter. At Ice Castle, our 200’x85′ rinks provide plenty of room to skate solo or with a partner. Rinks are open year-round and are the perfect place for parties.
Additional Amenities
After some skating fun, party-goers, amateur skaters, players and their siblings, will all love visiting Mason’s Madhouse where the newest arcade games are in high demand. Visit our Snack Bar that has a vast menu which will satisfy all your hunger needs! IC Fitness Center is located on the second floor of Ice Castle and is open for members or walk-ins.
Seasonal Events and Special Rinks
Elm Street Plaza: The city's newest community space! A decades-old tradition, the downtown ice rink has a new home this year at the new Elm Street Plaza. Head on down with family and friends to lace up your skates for a memorable experience. No reservations required. Traction Aids and Skate Aids are available, along with ride-along mini zambonis for children 5 and under. Concessions are available including hot/cold drinks and snacks. Also available for rent are heated igloos or open air pergolas with built in fire pits.
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Civic Park Pavilion: Head to the rink's new location at Civic Park Pavilion in Lawrenceburg, Indiana to enjoy the outdoor Winter Wonderland Ice Rink throughout the holiday season. The city also hosts additional holiday events on its Main Street throughout the season.
The Ice Rink at Summit Park: The Ice Rink at Summit Park in Blue Ash is conveniently located outside or under a covered canopy near the park's restaurants and features a full lineup of special events throughout the season including live music and ice skating performances. For inexperienced skaters, free skating aids are available for each session while supplies last. After a spin on the ice, grab a hot chocolate, a DORA beverage, or a meal from one of the four on-site restaurants or the nearby Neighborhoods at Summit Park!
Fifty West Burger Bar: Get the blood flowing with ice skating on the outdoor 40-by-80-foot rink at the Fifty West Burger Bar, then refuel with burgers and craft beer. Cozy up before or get after your one-hour session with heated tents, hot cocoa and fire pits. Ice skating open now through February 28, 2026. Free for kids 4 and younger.
Kings Island Winterfest: Kings Island Winterfest has it all! Skate on the Snowflake Lake Skating Rink, located on the shimmering, majestic Royal Fountain right in front of the Eiffel Tower on International Street. Skating starts at $17 and advance ticket purchase is recommended to ensure you get the time slot you want.
Other Ice Skating Centers
Goggin Ice Center: The Goggin Ice Center at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio offers public ice skating for guests of all ages.
Northern Kentucky Ice Center: The only all-year indoor ice rink in Northern Kentucky, Northern Kentucky Ice Center offers general skating lessons as well as figure skating lessons and hockey. During public skating, the ice is open to everyone. The center even has two ice surfaces, including a full-size NHL rink and a smaller studio rink.
Northland Ice Center: Located north of Cincinnati in Evendale, Northland Ice Center is a year-round indoor rink offering lessons, all-ages hockey, and public skating with DJs and laser effects. The rink is a regulation NHL-size ice surface of 200' by 85'.