Ice Skating in Westchester
TIME TO SKATE!
General Overview
Westchester has multiple indoor ice skating options year round. During a normal cold winter, there is about a month or two of public outdoor pond skating in various places throughout the county. See below for indoor, outdoor and nearby options!
Brewster Ice Arena
Brewster, NY | Schedule | Google Map
Adult $9 / Child $7 / Skate Rental $4
Technically Putnam County but Brewster Ice Arena has by far the best schedule for public skating around the area. There is public skating during the day time almost every day and also a popular Friday night skate session.
2 hockey rinks and outdoor rink (during winter) and a smaller studio rink upstairs. Equipped with snack area, skate shop and rental on first floor, restaurant/bar on 2nd floor.
Facilities aren’t the cleanest and can smell when not ventilated (like all other places). Sort of expected for a busy location but it could be better though!
Playland Ice Casino
Rye, NY | Schedule | Google Map
Adult $16 / Child $9 (under 10), both skate rental included
Probably the best heated ice rink. Seating is available next to the rink on the spectator benches. Limited public skating hours. Online registration required.
Other Rinks Within Westchester
Hommocks Park Ice Rink
Mamaroneck | Schedule | Google Maps
Adult $11 / Child $10 / Skates $5
Public skating generally on Sun/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat afternoons.
Westchester Skating Academy
Elmsford | Schedule | Google Maps
Adult $16 / Child $11 / Skates $4
Daily public skating but usually during morning hours during the week and 1:30-3PM on the weekends (not too public skating friendly hours). Online reservation needed.
Edward J Murray Skating Center (Seasonal)
Yonkers | Schedule | Google Maps
Adult, Child $11 / Skate $6
Tue-Fri 10AM-12PM, Fri/Sat 8:30-10:30PM, Sun 1-3PM, Roller skating during summer
Evarts Ice Rink at Harvey School
Katonah, NY | Schedule Below | Google Maps
Admission $5 / No Skate Rentals
Organized by Bedford Recreation and Parks. School skating rink that is usually not open to public. 12:45 – 2:45PM on the following dates:
11/25/22 (Fri), 12/28/22(Wed), 1/16/23(Mon), 2/20/23(Mon)
Outdoor Pond Ice Skating (Free)
Pound Ridge Town Park
Pound Ridge, NY | Google Maps
Most outdoor locations end or close when it gets dark. Pound Ridge Town Park has nighttime lighting for skating at night! Size: very good
Bedford Hills Memorial Park
Bedford Hills, NY | Google Maps
Lake Marie is large but skating is normally allowed close to the playground area. Size: ok
Mountain Lakes Park
North Salem, NY | Google Maps
Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lake Park is operated by the County. No fees but park closes shortly after 5PM in Winter. Check Facebook page for opening details.
Other Pond Skating Locations
Please check town Facebook pages before heading out. Ice thickness and open hours may vary.
V.E. Macy Park | Ardsley
Wampus Pond | Armonk
Duck Pond Park | Croton-on-Hudson
Twin Lakes Park | Eastchester
Todds Pond | Katonah
Leonard Park | Mount Kisco
Veterans Memorial Park | Ossining
Bear Ridge Lake | Pleasantville
Oppermans Pond | Pleasantville
Leith’s Pond and Carroll Park | Thornwood
Tibbets Brook Park | Yonkers
Other Rinks Just Outside the Border
Danbury Arena
Danbury, CT | Schedule | Google Maps
Online $10 / Walk-in $15 / Skates $5
Fairly good rink. Online reservation recommended. Public sessions available Fri/Sat/Sun. DJ Skate Friday nights
Bear Mountain Ice Rink (Nov-Feb)
Bear Mountain, NY | Schedule | Google Maps
Admission $5 / Skates $10
Within state park. Fully uncovered outdoor skating Fri-Sun. Fresh air great for COVID skating but can be packed at times. Pay on site right before session starts. No $10 parking fee after 5PM for night skating.
Winter Garden Ice Arena
Ridgefield, CT | Schedule | Google Maps
Adult $15 / Child $10 / Skate $5 / Disco $15
Check public skating schedule from website main page. Located in quiet neighborhood. Short/limited public skating hours. Disco skating packed with teens.
Palisades Center Ice Rink
West Nyack, NY | Schedule | Google Maps
Inside shopping mall but only has limited public skating on weekends and holidays
Some Skating FAQs
My ice skating is really bad. How can I become better at ice skating?
When you’re a beginner, practice every week at an indoor ice rink for a few weeks to build up your basic muscles for balance.
Wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads for safety and if you feel like falling down, try to fall forward instead of backwards by bending your knees and keeping your head up to prepare for fall down and don’t hesitate to fall when needed.
Start by holding on to the side walls. While standing still, slide your skates in scissors back and forth to develop muscles and basic balance. Stomping the ice with each foot helps, too. Do this every day at the beginning of the skate.
Holding the side walls, start walking bit by bit at first and then slowly try sliding on each foot, alternating each skate. You will start with very short steps that will slowly turn into slides. The more you practice sliding, you will be able to extend the time you spend on each foot, little bit by little bit, and after a few weeks, you should be able to move with your hand above the wall but not putting weight on it.
During practice, take frequent rests so your leg muscles can catch up and build up faster.
Once you are able to skate without holding the wall, keep practicing longer times on each foot.
Once you start to balance longer on one foot, you can start the next steps: c-cuts and others.
Where can I buy a good pair of starter skates?
If you’re not into figure skating, we recommend getting hockey skates which are better for free style skating. We suggest buying an entry level brand name skate (Bauer, CCM, Reebok, etc.) from a local sports store (before plunging on a skate you really like). You should try out skates in-store to ensure they fit and are comfortable enough for you. If on sale, you should be able to get a pair around or under $100.
How can I tell when pond skating is available?
Public pond skating is usually monitored by the city or town. They normally post a sign in front of the park or pond when it is safe to ice skate. (6+ inches of ice thickness) Town Facebook pages usually post when their ice rinks start to open so check that first before heading out.
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