Outdoor Ice Rinks in LA

It wasn't so long ago that the idea of an outdoor ice rink in Los Angeles would have seemed patently ridiculous, but the arrival of Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL changed that notion completely. Combine that with the need to get a little bit of that traditional winter vibe in the heart of California and you are left with a desire to strap on the skates and hit the ice. The good news for those that want to do a little leisurely skating in L.A. is that there are a number of outdoor options available.

While many of the outdoor rinks here will shut down after the holidays are over, Downtown on Ice in Pershing Square will continue to operate through late January of next year. This is another incredibly cool setting, and there are usually some fun events held at the rink, such as spirited rounds of broomball.

You can kill two birds with one stone by taking your skates to the Chill at The Queen Mary. The rink sits in front of the iconic ship and remains in operation through the early part of January. The tickets for this rink are a little pricier, but they also include admission to the ship. If you plan on skating more than once during the season, you also have the option of purchasing a season pass that gets you unlimited rink time.

If you want to mix a traditional L.A. style party with a seasonal skate, you really can’t do any better than a visit to Ice at Santa Monica. The outdoor rink here is absolutely massive, coming in at over 8,000 square feet. It’s the ideal place to plan a party, especially since you can also rent a private cabana where you can chill by the ice.

While not necessarily in L.A. proper, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the outdoor rink at Downtown Disney. You can celebrate the season, as well as the Disney movieFrozen by taking a spin around Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink. It’s a kid-friendly setting that the whole family is sure to enjoy, and it includes a 30-foot tree that adds a splash of color to the ice.