Ice Skating in the Triangle

Chatham County, NC – No matter what season we are in, I like to get out of the house and get some exercise. During the winter, one of my favorite activities is ice skating. Due to the popularity of our local hockey team, the Carolina Hurricanes, this particular sport has really taken off in our area. Here are some local hotspots to get your ice skating on!

Ice Skating in the Triangle

Where I grew up in the Rocky Mountains, people would skate on frozen streams and ponds. But here in the South, it’s a different story.

Indoor ice skating in a mild climate is an expensive business. Just think how much it costs for the Zamboni machine!

But we’re fortunate to have a few really good rinks here in the Triangle. Whether you live in Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, Apex or Wake Forest, you’re not too far from a place to go ice skating.

Triangle SportsPlex

The Triangle SportsPlex is one of North Carolina’s largest recreational facilities. With 90,000 square feet of space, the Triangle SportsPlex is one of only two facilities in the United States to offer an ice arena, aquatics center, and a fitness center all under one roof.

To make things extra special this holiday season, they are offering a Skate with Santa session this Saturday, December 22nd from 1:15 to 2:00 pm. Cost of admission is $5 for children and $6 for adults with a charge of $3 for skate rental.

Location:

Triangle SportsPlex
101 Meadowlands Dr
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Polar Ice House of Cary

The Polar Ice House of Cary is a busy ice skating facility offering a full menu of entertainment options for children and adults.  They welcome group outings and offer countless camps and programs. You can find their public skating schedule here.

The Ice House is offering a holiday hockey clinic on December 26th and 27th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Admission is $40 for both days or $25 for one day. The session is coached by Greg Meluch.

• Experienced coaches
• Focus on essential skills
• Fun environment
• 2 stick and puck passes

The address is Raleigh, but the Ice House is just around the corner from Crossroads Shopping Center in Cary.

Location:

Polar Ice House of Cary
1410 Buck Jones Road
Raleigh NC 27606
(919) 460-2756

Raleigh IcePlex

This is where the ‘Canes work out (when the NHL is locked-out).

Raleigh IcePlex is a beautiful facility with Youth and Adult Hockey Leagues, track-out camps, lessons and figure skating. Plus open skating hours, of course.

Raleigh IcePlex
2601 N. Raleigh Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27604
919-878-9002

Raleigh Winterfest

Grab your mittens and scarves and make your way to the heart of the center city for Raleigh’s premier holiday event—the AT&T Raleigh Winterfest. Winterfest is a two-month long extravaganza featuring an outdoor skating rink with natural ice.

LOCATION:
The AT&T Raleigh Winterfest Ice Rink will be located in City Plaza situated on the southern end of the 400 block of Fayetteville Street.

ADMISSION:
Admission including skate rental is $8.00 for both adults and children.

Season schedule:

• Sledding Sundays (select dates): SnowMyYard.com will create a winter wonderland on January 6 and January 27 from 12 noon-4 pm (free with skating wristband).
• Two for Tuesdays: Skaters will receive one free admission to the rink with the purchase of one paid admission (includes skate rental).
• Workout Wednesdays: Warm up on the rink with some fun exercises.
• Date & Skate Thursdays: Free carriage rides with skating wristband from 6 pm-9 pm.
• Rock Around the Rink Fridays will feature a DJ and tunes from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Enjoy All-Day Skate Saturdays with your family and friends when the rink is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Operating hours can be found here.

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Photo by Asterio Tecson.