The continuing pandemic may have once again brought many activities to a screeching halt, but you can still hit the great outdoors and enjoy what the season has to offer. We live in a winter wonderland so we’re fortunate to be able to have enough snow (we hope!) to do things like snowshoe, cross-country ski, and downhill ski. Chilly temps are also perfect for ice skating, and despite COVID putting the kibosh on some locations, you can still hit the ice this season.
Channel your inner figure skater as you glide under the lights at the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District ice rink. Located at Truckee River Regional Park on Brockway Road, it affords skaters of all ages that small-town ice rink feel and will still have public skating sessions. The COVID catch is that this season, you need to make a reservation before you go. Ice rink reservations are for 90-minute blocks, allowing for 60 minutes of skating time plus 30 minutes for skate rental and return. Start times are available every half hour from noon to 6:30 p.m.
Register on the TDRPD website and pay for one admission before arriving. Skate rental fee is not included in your online booking. All additional skaters, skate rentals, and concessions will be paid for upon arrival and must be made by credit or debit card. Due to COVID constraints, the number of skaters at the rink at one time has been reduced for distancing. All reservations are final — no refunds, cancellations, or transfers are permitted. If TDRPD is forced to close the rink due to weather, a credit will be issued to your account.
The ice rink at the Resort at Squaw Creek is open all winter, weather permitting, with three daily sessions: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m. Note that the morning session is temporarily on hold until temperatures get a bit colder. Bring your own skates or rents a pair on site. In addition to resort guests, the rink is also open to local residents, with plenty of free, self-parking. No reservations are needed, although skating is first come, first served, and is capped at 60 guests — half the usual capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions. Dec. 17 is locals’ night, with complimentary skating for local residents and guests from 6 to 9 p.m. Hot chocolate is included.
As of press time, the Tahoe City Public Utility District’s Winter Sports Park postponed its originally scheduled Nov. 27 opening and will be closed until further notice due to COVID. All reservations for Winter Sports Park activities and season pass sales are temporarily suspended. Check the TCPUD website for updates on a new opening date.
Northstar California Resort will keep its ice rink closed as well for the time being as the focus remains on the skiing and riding experience. If it is determined that the Village ice skating rink can safely reopen, skating may begin in mid-December, according to the resort’s senior manager of communications for the Tahoe region, Russell Carlton. He advises guests to regularly check the resort website for updates at northstarcalifornia.com.
If you don’t mind a ride to Reno, the ice rink at Grand Sierra Resort is another option for skating. Open daily, it offers guests a choice of five one-hour sessions starting at 4 p.m. with the last available start time of 9:15 p.m. There is also time scheduled in between sessions for ice resurfacing. Reservations for ice time and fire pits must be made online through the Grand Sierra Resort website.
Info: tdrpd.org; tcpud.org; northstarcalifornia.com; grandsierraresort.com
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