This winter, for the primary time in current historical past, it’s attainable to ice skate beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
Since November, when Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park opened, virtually 300 folks have packed onto it at any given time, based on organizers. With the Manhattan skyline within the background, patrons skate on actual ice beneath twinkling lights and previous digital artwork. When completed skating, they’ll retire to a glass-walled cafe and drink scorching chocolate and beer whereas snacking on charcuterie and table-side s’mores.
Simply throughout the East River, there’s one other new rink on the rooftop of Pier 17 in Manhattan’s South Road Seaport neighborhood. This one was product of artificial ice: a plastic, spongy materials that oldsters can simply stroll on as kids grasp skates.
2023 was the primary yr that individuals may ice skate 100 tales above floor on the Edge, the commentary deck at a skyscraper in Hudson Yards, or curler skate on artificial ice contained in the huge Oculus on the World Commerce Heart. And till Jan. 7, there was one other new rink at Luna Park, an amusement park in Coney Island that has usually been a summer season vacation spot. (These are along with the classics: the Rink at Rockefeller Heart and Wollman Rink in Central Park.)
Ice skating, a cold-weather pastime for 1000’s of years, is occurring in much more locations this winter. New rinks haven’t simply popped in New York, however throughout America, providing proficient and aspirational skaters alike a nostalgic seasonal exercise that doesn’t require snow, which has been in quick provide after the most popular yr in a century and a half.
These will not be the indoor shopping center rinks of yesteryear. Many have sweeping views and décor splendid for documenting on social media, in addition to food and drinks choices. These involving artificial ice, just like the rink at Pier 17, might be arrange virtually anyplace as a result of making the fabric requires no water or vitality. Ice skating can be comparatively reasonably priced. At Glide, for instance, tickets begin at $10 for youngsters and at $15 for adults, and there are reductions for New Yorkers. (Skate leases are about $12.)
In December, a brand new outside rink opened in Portland, Ore. — the town’s first in 24 years. “Winter in Portland is darkish and chilly,” mentioned Amanda Park, a senior venture supervisor on the metropolis of Portland’s financial and concrete improvement company, who spearheaded improvement of the rink. “We want extra alternatives for households and folk to get out and luxuriate in themselves.”
That was significantly true this yr, since most of the native ski resorts opened late due to a scarcity of snow. Ms. Park mentioned that each one pre-sale tickets for the Portland rink bought out in December. The rink is scheduled to shut Jan. 28, however organizers are contemplating extending it to satisfy demand, she added.
Like most of the rinks which have lately popped up, the one in Portland is making an attempt to create an entire vibe: It’s surrounded by a winter village with hearth pits, eating tables and 100 bushes. Each Wednesday, an ice-rink-related film like “The Mighty Geese” or “Slicing Edge” is proven within the village and the movie’s soundtrack is performed for skaters on the ice. Fridays are “Girls of Pop” nights: Music by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift performs whereas tweens and youths skate and take selfies.
Some new rinks are giving folks an opportunity to strive skating for the primary time. Morgan Mosley, 30, a content material creator in Indianapolis, was excited {that a} rink opened this winter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the sector the place the Indiana Pacers play. “I’ve seen ice skating quite a bit within the films, and on social media,” she mentioned. “However I had by no means acquired an opportunity to go.”
She purchased tickets for the rink’s opening weekend. “It was quite a bit tougher than it regarded,” Ms. Mosley mentioned, including that she plans to maintain at it.
Organizers of the rink at Gainbridge Fieldhouse mentioned that they had hoped to draw 20,000 skaters all through the six weeks it’s open. They lately hit that aim, they added, with three weekends and two full weeks of the season left.
U.S. Determine Skating, the nationwide governing physique for the game, mentioned extra newbies are getting concerned throughout the nation. Its program Study to Skate USA reported a ten % enhance within the 2022-23 season in comparison with the prior yr.
However not all of the rinks have been a success, particularly amongst these on the lookout for an genuine expertise.
Earlier than Christmas, Lynette Bedoya, a 27-year-old nail technician in Coral Springs, Fla., visited a brand new 4,000-square-foot rink product of artificial ice at Las Olas Oceanside Park, on the seaside in Fort Lauderdale.
“I actually wished to have a winter vacation expertise,” she mentioned. “Ice skating feels just like the closest we will get.”
However the second she stepped on the faux ice, she was dissatisfied. “It was terrible,” she mentioned. “You can truly stroll on it. There was no gliding or spinning. It was a waste of cash.”
The absurdity of the setting additionally struck her. “It was like, ‘What are we doing ice skating right here?’”
