When the first winter snowstorms roll into town, Jack Frost means business. With chilly temperatures, frosty windows and a winter wonderland outside comes an ice-load of activities.
Utah is home to a variety of ice activities. Whether you’re looking for something physical or just to participate as an observer, there are options for everyone. Enter your world of Arendelle from the movie “Frozen” right in the Park City area’s backyard.
Ice Rink Fun
There’s no shortage of ice rinks that offer pick-up hockey matches, ice-skating lessons, sporting events to watch and more in a town that’s dubbed “Winter’s Favorite.”
Park City Ice Arena General Manager Amanda Angevine notes just how busy the winter season can get and how ice-related sports provide an alternative to skiing. “Sometimes, it’s nice to be inside and away from the wind, having something else to do. All of our programs end up full.”
The arena has an Olympic-size ice sheet and offers open ice-skating sessions; hockey, figure skating and speed-skating classes; private lessons; and drop-in and league hockey games. Or for something completely different, try curling. You’ve seen it in the Winter Olympics, now give it a go with Park City Curling Club’s Learn to Curl sessions at various times throughout the winter and league play for locals.
The past two years, the arena has even popped up an ice sheet at City Park for the community to access, based on weather and outdoor conditions.
“There are so many sports to try here, and I think that’s what captures the Winter Olympics legacy that Park City has,” Angevine says. “Now that we have the 2034 Olympics and a new NHL team, we’re trying to be creative in how we lean into capturing that interest we’ll see over the next 10 years.”
Centered at the base of Park City Mountain Resort, Park City Resort Center Ice Rink offers convenient and daily ice-skating. This option is perfect for coming right off the mountain, killing time before dinner or just a quick, local stop for fun that engages the whole family. There are no time limits, so you can enjoy all the rink has to offer for as long as desired.
If you’re closer to the Midway area, add Midway Ice Rink to your winter bucket list. “We’re proud to offer a sweet, hometown-friendly, beautiful atmosphere,” says Manager Shannon Wilson. “Think Hallmark movie vibes. You’re sitting near the warming hut, watching the sunset or the full moon. It’s a romantic, consummate holiday outdoor ice rink experience. The gazebo where we watch numerous engagements each year is just the perfect touch.”
The rink averages nearly 25,000 visitors per season, Wilson says, and it’s open every day, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Midway Ice Rink offers drop-in hockey, public skating sessions, ice-skating classes, private instruction, skate rentals, concessions and private ice rentals.
Midway Ice Rink is also the host of Utah’s Original Hockey Cup, coined the year after COVID. Heading into the fifth year, it has become a favorite for the public to watch, Wilson says.
“We’ve got everything an ice rink needs,” she adds. “We’re beautiful and magical, and a place that people of all ages can come and enjoy and not feel intimidated. We’re operated under an agreement with the Midway Boosters, who do a lot for the community. They promote the quality community events and activities that go into making this rink as special as it is.”
The Olympic Spirit
It’s no secret that the area is buzzing with excitement to bring the Winter Olympic Games back in 2034. At Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation’s three locations — Utah Olympic Park, Soldier Hollow Nordic Center and Utah Olympic Oval — visitors have opportunities to try out sports such as bobsledding. “It’s super unique because there are only 15 tracks left in the entire world,” says Kole Nordmann, marketing and media production manager for the foundation. “This is special to Park City and really lets visitors feel part of the Olympic experience.”
The bobsled activity uses the same course that was used in the 2002 Winter Games. Upon arrival, the guest services team provides a short orientation of what to expect on the ride. Crews review safety and how to sit in the sled and enjoy the ride. Though the whole track has 15 curves, the public experience offers only 10 for safety reasons.
“It’s more like a rollercoaster experience than anything else,” explains Nordmann. “We just push you down the track, and you have a great time.”
Just 16 miles west of Salt Lake City, discover the Utah Olympic Oval. This venue is home to a 400-meter speed-skating oval, two more ice rinks and an indoor running track. This facility aims to grow Utah participation in ice sports, and it’s certainly living out its purpose.
In 2024, Utah was proud to welcome the Utah Hockey Club, its first-ever NHL team in Salt Lake City. This season’s schedule began on October 8 with an opening home game against the Chicago Blackhawks and continues through early April. Fans can watch games at the Delta Center, and youth with visions of hockey stardom dancing in their heads can practice and play on the plethora of area ice rinks.
Ice Marvels Galore
Ice can be a source of beautiful structures, both natural and manmade. With those, come opportunities to marvel at and play in the beauty of Mother Nature.
Don’t miss Ice Castles in Midway, the first of what has grown into Ice Castles locations in Colorado, Minnesota and New Hampshire as well. Founder Brent Christensen appreciates the Midway site because of its location at Soldier Hollow overlooking the Heber Valley and because he launched the concept there in 2011. It all started with an ice cave in the backyard for his family.
Each of the castles have similar elements such as slides and lights, but all are unique in design and layout. This is due to each site’s unique geological setting and surroundings. “Part of the beauty of the Ice Castles is the ephemeral nature,” Christensen says. “It’s amazing to experience something so massive and beautiful, knowing that it will be completely gone within a matter of weeks.”
There is no winter attraction that’s so immersive as Ice Castles, he notes, unless you find yourself in a glacier. “A glacier wouldn’t have slides and hot chocolate,” he jokes.
“One of my favorite parts about being in the castles is watching grown-ups acting like children again,” says Christensen. “We like to design and build each castle experience so that once our visitors enter, they feel transported to a foreign realm and they forget, for a little while, that they are on planet Earth.”
Heber Valley also is home to Strawberry Reservoir, a standout Utah ice-fishing location. Rentals are available for tents and augers through Strawberry Bay Marina and Lodge, and a shuttle to and from the ice can be booked. Or consider a guided tour to learn from the marina’s experts or through other outfitters.
Go a bit farther down State Route 189, and you’ll end up in Provo Canyon. If you’re looking for a daredevil activity, Utah Mountain Adventures’ ice-climbing courses may sound appealing. There are two levels of classes, the opportunity to learn water-ice routes and a two-day camp.
No matter your ice-skating skills or appetite for adventure, Utah is an ideal state to embrace your inner “Frozen.”
