Gliding across the ice with the wind in your hair. Moving to the music and feeling like a kid again. Ice skating is such a rush!
Although, we have a few outdoor holiday ice rinks throughout the greater Sacramento area, Skatetown Ice Arena in Roseville is not only indoor, but currently the only ice rink open for public skating year-round! You can skate Fridays and Saturdays during their afternoon or night sessions. We recently checked it out for the first time and have so much to share!
OUR EXPERIENCE
My three kids, my daughter’s girlfriend and I had ice skating at Skatetown on our bucket list for winter break and so the Friday night before my daughter headed back to college, we finally went. Our last hurrah of winter break!
We all felt the same nervousness about getting out on the ice after too many years (it had been almost ten years since the last time our family went ice skating, which I find so hard to believe!). Luckily, this is one of those things that is like riding a bike. Plus, it is similar enough to roller skating and rollerblading, which we’ve done more of.
Our whole group found our groove quickly and after starting out close to the wall, ventured further and faster out on the ice. Although we all want to get better, we were competent enough to really enjoy ourselves! Most of us fell once or twice but it wasn’t a big deal. The fear of falling is so much worse than the actual fall.
The plus to going during the holiday season was how fun it was to see the holiday decorations which made the place feel festive. For future reference, it was a very busy night since it was still winter break and the end of the holiday season. The staff member at the front desk told me that January is the busiest time of the year. That being said, there was still room on the ice for us to skate and we thoroughly enjoyed our time! It will just be a fun bonus if it is less crowded the next time we go (hopefully soon!).
We saw a majority teens and young adults skating but there were some younger kids that knew how to skate out on the rink and they were just fine.
The music was great and the energy on the ice was exhilarating! What a fun Friday night!
LET'S TAKE YOU ON A LITTLE TOUR
Upon entering, you pay admission at the front desk and then go to the skate rental desk. We found that all the employees we interacted with were very friendly and helpful. You can find admission prices and other details down below.
I thought the sign near the skate rental was super helpful. It had these tips:
– For the best skating experience, your heel should touch the back of the skate and your toes should touch the front of the skate
– Buckle them tight
– Select a skate that is snug rather than too large
We made sure our skates were on nice and tight. Skatetown has new buckled ice skates which are so much easier than lace-up to put on and tighten!
Lockers, yay! I was wondering and hoping they’d have some. We were able to fit all five pairs of shoes in one. Bring quarters!
When you pay admission, you have the option of adding on a Sled, Bobby or Skate Helper for $10.00. There are also Free Bucket Skate Aides & Loaner Helmets available. For beginners to skate more comfortably, there is a sectioned off area of the rink on one end.
It put me at ease to see there were several friendly staff members on the ice, around the edges of the rink ready to help. I approached one named Mike and told him that my 16-year-old was in need of some tips. He immediately offered to help out! He introduced himself to my son, gave him a quick fist bump, then proceeded to demonstrate and explain how to move his skates on the ice. This changed the night! My son was able to enjoy himself so much more.
There were contests out in the center of the rink that anyone could participate in, like Hula Hooping and Hot Potato with a stuffed Olaf. They were fun to watch and we cheered on my daughter’s girlfriend, the brave one amongst us!
Toward the end of the session the lights went down for a cool change of ambience.
A Disney Aladdin music video was a fun addition!
Skatetown’s Cafe has Icees, milkshakes, beer, hot chocolate, and snacks. You can check out their menu here. They have sports on tv and free wi-fi, so this is a good place for anyone that is not skating to hang out .
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- What to wear – It is cold inside the ice rink and we found that sweaters/hoodies and long sleeves were just right for our group. We were warm enough but not too hot once we had been skating for a bit. Crew socks/knee socks are best to cover your ankles.
- Lockers available – bring quarters ($1.00) if you want to use a locker for your shoes and valuables. We also saw that many people just leave their shoes underneath the benches that line the walls.
- Loaner Helmets available for free.
- Beginners and children can skate in a roped-off area of the rink.
- Special provisions for guests with disabilities – go here to see.
- Tickets go on sale at the door 30 minutes prior to each public session.
- Families with small children are encouraged to skate during their Family Sessions (Friday 3-5pm or 7-9pm, Saturdays 3-5pm). All ages are welcome at the Saturday evening 7-9pm session; however, entertainment and activities are geared toward older teens and young adults.
- Teens/Young Adults Skate Sessions – Saturday nights from 7-9pm feature laser light shows and black lights. Skate and dance to hip hop, pop & top 40 remixes.
- If you’ll be hanging out while your older kids skate, the cafe has sports on tv, free wi-fi, coffee, and adult beverages. See the menu here.
DETAILS
What: Skatetown Ice Arena
Hours: Fridays 3-5pm (All Ages) & 7-9pm (All Ages);
Saturdays 3-5pm (All Ages) & 7-9pm (Teens/Young Adults Skate Session)
Cost: General Admission $14.00 + $4.00 Skate Rental
Kids 4 & under FREE w/adult admission
Where: 1009 Orlando Avenue, Roseville, CA (right off the freeway – easy to find)
Phone: 916-783-8550
Website: https://www.skatetown.biz/
Check the calendar on their homepage and like them on facebook for special sessions and themed parties.
OTHER THINGS SKATETOWN OFFERS
LESSONS
Skatetown offers beginner ice skating lessons, figure skating lessons, freestyle skating lessons, hockey lessons, hockey camps, hockey leagues – go here, then choose from the pulldown menu at the top of the homepage.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Birthday Party Packages – see them here
After leaving Skatetown...
We thought we’d get Icees in Skatetown’s cafe but we were having too much fun skating and opted to spend every minute of our two hour session on the rink! Since everyone was in the mood for one when we left, we went to 7-Eleven down the street for Icees.
We’ll be heading back to Skatetown again soon, without the nervousness…and full of anticipation!
