Skating is Great!
Where to Find the Ice Up North
WHERE: Boyne Highlands, 600 Highland Drive, Harbor Springs www.boyne.com - 231-526-3000
WHY: Located on the pond in front of the main lodge, the Highlands’ outdoor skating rink is at the center of the action, with day skiers and ski patrol wandering by to add ambiance to your experience. Got a chill? Warm up in the lodge’s cafeteria or snag pizza in the Slopeside Lounge.
COST: Complimentary
COOL FACTOR: The ski hill towering above the rink as you skate is as close as you can get to an alpine feel without heading to the U.P. It’s got the highest vertical drop in lower Michigan at 552 feet.
WHERE: Griffin Arena, 3450 M-119, Harbor Springs www.griffinarena.net - 231-487-1843
WHY: Little Traverse Figure Skating, Petoskey High School Hockey and the Char-Em Adult Hockey League all call Griffin Arena Home. The seasonal indoor rink, generally open until mid-March, is chilled without being cold, wind-free and offers zambonigroomed ice. The facility also offers skating lessons and pickup hockey, plus casual refreshments.
COST: League and lesson costs vary. Open skate is $5, skate rental $3.
COOL FACTOR: Skating indoors is a climate-controlled way to get your winter sports fix while laughing in the face of the weather outdoors.
WHERE: Petoskey Winter Sports Park, 1100 Winter Park Lane, Petoskey www.petoskey.us - 231-347-1252
WHY: A community venue for a range of winter activities that also include sledding and skiing. The Winter Sports Park centers around its two outdoor ice rinks that offer figure skating, curling, hockey, and ice scooters for those just learning how to skate. A top-notch warming house with fireplace, concession stand and WiFi is the place to grab a hot beverage and a snack.
COST: Admission is free and skate rental is $5.
COOL FACTOR: This is as much a gathering spot as a skating destination, with people playing board games and chatting in between skating sessions.
WHERE: Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area, 1129 Wilson Street, Boyne City www.cityofboynecity.com - 231-582-6597
WHY: Smooth outdoor ice and a friendly warming house are incentive enough to check out Avalanche. Extra services like music on the outdoor speakers and complimentary hot chocolate can also be enjoyed, depending on the day. Skate sharpening services are available, too. If you’re so inclined, you can alternate sledding breaks with your turns around the rink.
COST: Admission and loaner skates are free.
COOL FACTOR: Michigan Blue magazine called Avalanche "Michigan’s Best Sledding Hill" and the rink has a pretty good reputation of its own, too.
WHERE: Boyne Mountain, 1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls www.boyne.com - 231-549-6000
WHY: Skating at Boyne Mountain’s outdoor rink just behind the Clock Tower Lodge adds a quaint, retro touch to your spins around the ice, circled by picturesque buildings and snowy surroundings. The rink is mediumsized and well groomed, and welcomes both expert and amateur skaters.
COST: Complimentary, but rental skates are first-come, first-served.
COOL FACTOR: Close one eye and the vintage ski lodge surroundings will transport you to a 1950s skating party.
WHERE: Centre Ice Arena, 1600 Chartwell Drive, Traverse City www.centreice.org - 231-933-7465
WHY: Offering two indoor rinks – the West Rink and David’s Rink – Centre Ice’s main focus is on hockey and curling, as well as hosting the Midwest Junior Hockey League team, the Traverse City Hounds, youth and high school hockey games and a range of hockey camps.
COST: Open skates are $4-5 per person, skate rental is $3, leagues and event costs vary.
COOL FACTOR: The NHL training camp for the Detroit Red Wings is held here. Enough said.
WHERE: Howe Arena, 1125 W. Civic Center Drive, Traverse City www.centreice.org - 231-922-4818
WHY: Howe Arena’s indoor facility offers the most open skate times for the general public, including the evening Twilight Skate, and also hosts the Traverse City Figure Skating Club, which offers a range of learning and skating opportunities. The school hockey teams skate here, too.
COST: Open skates are $4-5 per person, skate rental is $3, leagues and event costs vary.
COOL FACTOR: This 25,000-square foot building morphs with the seasons, from skating and hockey in the winter to major expo and show events spring to fall.
WHERE: Wexford Civic Center, 1320 N. Mitchell, Cadillac www.thewex.com - 231-779-9520
WHY: This indoor arena hosts everything from learn-to-skate sessions to open skates, adult hockey and game time for the Cadillac High School Vikings and the Cadillac Area Hockey Association. A pro shop and concession stand round out the amenities. Open skate passes are available by the season, starting at $100 per person, which covers more than 50 skating sessions.
COST: Open skate is $3, skate rental is free, event costs vary.
COOL FACTOR: The ice arena is an official NHL-sized rink that seats 500 spectators. Join the local in crowd and just call it 'The W'
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