Get your GLIDE on! Holiday Ice Skating on the Eastside!

The holiday season is a busy time of year, but also one of the most memorable. An afternoon adventure like ice skating with family or friends can create a fun, new tradition that you might not have otherwise considered.

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with music, giveaways, selfies with Santa and ice skating at Sno-King Ice Arenas in Kirkland, Renton or the newest twin sheet arena in Snoqualmie Ridge!?

Want to know what to bring on your family-friendly outing at the rink? Here are our expert tips for how to prepare:

Budget friendly

Cost per session is $12 for ages 6 and over (not including skate rental) or $5 for under 5 years of age which includes skate rental. Extras include: skate rentals for $4, walker rentals for $5 and seal rentals for $8.

Dress for success

Ice skating is cold so it’s perfectly acceptable to dress head-to-toe in winter clothing. Make sure kids are wearing tall, lightweight socks, and layers of lightweight, warm clothes, so they can remove layers as they get moving. Don’t forget mittens and your new favorite holiday gear to stand out in the crowd.
Keeping warm is the key to success and having fun!

Comfortable skate fit

Rental skates are available, including both hockey and figure skates. Multiple sizes available for the perfect fit: Little-kid sizes 8–13, and big-kid/adult sizes 1–15. A limited number of skate aids help young skaters stay upright, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Skates should fit snug, yet be comfortable. If skates are too loose and feet move around inside the boot, you won’t be able to balance on the blade. Be sure those laces are nice and tight! If you can see ankles wobbling from side to side, tighten the laces for a comfortable fit.

Skating basics

Learning how to take small steps to maintain balance and get a feel for the ice is always helpful. March in small steps with your arms out, to help keep your balance. Children should start off marching on the ice, instead of walking. Eventually, they will build to a glide.

Knowing how to fall safely and get back up helps beginners build confidence. Practicing at home or while off the ice is helpful. Start with hand and knees on the ground, then put one foot flat on the ground with two hands on the same bent knee and push yourself back to an upright position. Easy peasy!

Be safe

While helmets are optional, they are encouraged. Any type of helmet will work. Gloves are also helpful to keep fingers and hands warm.

Find a location near you

Visit SnoKing Ice Arenas for holiday skating times and locations.

Sno-King Ice Arenas operates 3 convenient locations on Seattle’s Eastside. With locations in Kirkland, Renton and Snoqualmie Ridge, all indoor rinks offer daily afternoon holiday skating sessions. It’s simple: pack up your warm clothes, invite your friends, and find a rink closest to you.

A new tradition

It’s never too late to start a new tradition with your family, so why not try skating this season! You’ll look forward to it year-after-year.

Why start an annual holiday skating tradition?

First, to have some family fun! One of the best things about ice skating is that it’s great for any age. Kids love skating around the rink, while their parents, grandparents, and other relatives enjoy the low-key skating that reminds them of their own childhoods. Skating is timeless, just like the holidays!

Second, skating burns off some of those festive calories. Ice skating is a top form of exercise. You can burn up to 500 calories an hour on the ice. Not only does it work the legs, glutes, obliques, and core- it’s an excellent cardiovascular workout. And it’s easy on the joints, too! You will have so much fun, you won’t even realize you’re burning off those holiday calories.

Our final reason is that you get to wear your new holiday apparel! Did you receive mittens, a new hat, gloves, or a scarf? Ice skating is perfect to show off your new winter sweater or gear.

Don’t forget to capture some great photos while skating!

Sno-King Ice Arenas offers daily holiday skating sessions at all 3 locations: Kirkland, Renton and Snoqualmie from December 18th to January 2nd. Pre-registration is highly recommended.

See you at the rink and happy holidays!