With winter being just around the corner, it's finally time for ice skating. Although most ice rinks in Vancouver are open since September, now is the time when people start thinking about spending some quality time on ice, right before the holidays. Fortunately, the city has plenty of ice skating rinks both indoors and outdoors - and the best way to sharpen up your skating skills before the holiday outdoor rinks open is to skate indoors. Here is the list of four Vancouver's indoor ice skating rinks to choose from.
- Killarney Ice Skating Rink
- Kitsilano Ice Skating Rink
- Hillcrest Ice Skating Rink
- Trout Lake Ice Skating Rink
Admission fees for all the rinks on the list:
- Single visit admission fee: $2,95-$5.86, with the option of low cost skate activities which are 50% off
- Flexipass - 1,3 or 12-month access to Park Board and participating fintess centres, swimming pools, and ice rinks
- Adult (19-64 years) | $45.28 | $120.05 | $382.67
- Youth (13-18 years) | $31.70 | $84.05 | $267.86
- Child (3-12 years) $22.64 | $60.05 | $191.33
- Senior (65+ years) $31.70 | $84.05 | $267.86
Skate rental fees:
- Public Skate Rental | $2.90
- School Skate Rental | $1.52
- 10-pack Skate Rental | $23.24
Killarney Rink
The Killarney Ice Skating Rink is located north of Killarney Secondary School near Rupert Street and East 49th Avenue. It is a part of the Killarney Community Centre. The Killarney Ice Skating Rink was one of the 2010 Winter Olympics facilities.
With the NHL size ice surface and 150 seating places, the Killarney ice rink is open to public from September until March. From April to August, the ice is removed to make space for dry-floor activities, such as ball hockey, in-line hockey, various special events and trade shows.
There is no need for registration ahead of time for most of the activities, but for some, such as Skating Lessons for different age categories, ranging from Preschool to Adult, you need to register here.
Kitsilano Rink
Located near West Broadway and Macdonald Streat, Kitsilano Rink is a part of the Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre. The ice skating rink is open from September until March and offers skating lessons for all ages. The seating holds up to 100 visitors.
If you're up for some special skating activities this winter, make sure you check the rink's schedule and register for the activities with limited drop-in spaces.
Hillcrest Rink
Hillcrest Ice Rink is located in the Riley Park Community Centre in central Vancouver. It is open all year and offers both public skating and skate lessons for all age groups and abilities. In addition to skate lessons, you can sign up for figure skating, drop-in hockey and multiple hockey leagues. It is bigger than the rest of the rinks on the list and it can seat about 400 people.
Check out Hillcrest Park's schedule for this winter here.
Trout Lake Ice Rink
Trout Lake Rink is a new skating venue opened in 2010 for the 2010 Winter Olympics training. It is located in John Hendry Park near Victoria Drive and East 12th Avenue and it is a part of the Trout Lake Community Centre.
The ice rink is open from Septmeber to March, and during the spring and summer months it is used for dry floor activities. Trout Lake can seat up to 250 spectators.
Meet The Photographer: Ricardo Vacas
Ricardo Vacas
Ricardo Vacas, owner of the firm Kerp Photography, always showed intense interest in many forms of creative arts. His professional photography career started in his home country, Spain, where he was the official photographer of several music bands, models and clothing brands. He decided to move to Wellington, New Zealand in 2012, knowing his real interest was fashion photography more than any other field. Currently living in Vancouver, Canada, he now combines his fashion, editorial and commercial photography projects with regular trips to Europe and USA.
SKRVDT
The most beautiful one is missing from this article – the Robson Square rink. That one always opens on the 1st of December and it’s entirely free if you have your own skates! My personal favourite :)