Ice Skating can be one of the most fun family activities in the winter months.Whether inside in a climate controlled rink, or outside in a natural setting such as a lake, pond or frozen river, ice skating has been enjoyed by people for many generations. Have you ever tried to ice skate? It might be worth a second look… if you are interested in exercise, a 150 lb. person will burn an average of 374 calories per hour ice skating less than 9 mph. and up to 612 calories per hour if you quicken the pace.

Ice skating evidently dates back a long way into human history. The original style of skate was a flattened bone which allowed a person to glide over the ice rather than cut into it. That sounds pretty challenging and not entirely fun, so when steel blades with edges were designed and the skater could then cut into the ice, taking control of body movements became less of a hazard for the participant.  The edges on the blade were invented by the Dutch around the 13th or 14th century and haven’t changed all that much since.

People in the Netherlands came to love this form of recreation and many people from all walks of life and classes wanted to participate.  Even Kings and Queens thought this was a wonderful way to spend time. James II of England, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Emperor Rudolf II, King Louis XVI of France and Napoleon I and III all considered this sport fun and entertaining.  “Emperor Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire enjoyed ice skating so much he had a large ice carnival constructed in his court in order to popularise the sport. King Louis XVI of France brought ice skating to Paris during his reign.”  The so called “lower classes” of the day such as the agricultural workers also enjoyed skating and became quite adept at speed skating.

The trick to skating lies in the blade being able to both glide without much friction over the surface of ice and using the edge and pressure of the skate blade to increase friction and speed in many directions. Using the body weight to lean and by flexing muscles and joints, a skater can make rapid movements and quickly gain momentum along curved paths or tracks as well as have graceful and flowing motion in a freestyle skating approach.   The difference between a figure skate and a hockey skate is subtle but important. “A figure skating blade has toe picks at the top and is usually longer and heavier than a hockey blade. Also, figure skate boots are usually made out of leather and are much more expensive than hockey skate boots. Most of the time, a figure skate blade is separately mounted onto a figure skate boot, but hockey skate blades are generally soldered directly onto the hockey boot’s base. Hockey skate boots are usually much more comfortable than figure skate boots. The toe picks on figure skate boots make it possible to jump and spin. The short light blade on hockey skates help players with speed and quick stops.”

Where to go

If you and your family would like to enjoy this sport there are many places to visit throughout Colorado -  You can find family skating in:

Fort Collins – in popular historic Old Town. The pedestrian area’s outdoor ice-skating rink is located on the north end of Old Town Square at the corner of Walnut and Linden streets with ample, nearby street parking that’s free on weekends.

Estes Park – The YMCA of the Rockies just outside of Estes Park offers outdoor ice skating surrounded by the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park peaks.

Boulder – Just one block off the Pearl Street Mall, at the Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza you’ll find an excellent metro skating venue.

Evergreen – Just 30 minutes west of Denver, the 40-acre Evergreen Lake is a natural skating haven. It includes an observation boardwalk, 1.3-mile-long trail loop and historic boathouse in addition to the warming hut at the Lake House.

Nederland – Ice and Racquet Park delivers an expanded skating area, warming hut, lighted night skate and plenty of fresh mountain air. The open-air 180×80-foot sheet of ice is located in Nederland’s Indian Peaks Subdivision.

Denver – Indoor fun, figure skating program and adult hockey leagues at Joy Burns Ice Arena 2250 E Jewell Avenue, Denver, CO 80210

Louisville – WinterSkate: Promising old-fashioned fun in a historic setting, WinterSkate is back
for its third season in Louisville.

Littleton – The Ice Ranch has public skating, instruction for tots and kids interested in learning basic through advanced skating techniques, and other programs.

Lakewood – Belmar: This rink is located at the Belmar development in Lakewood, at Wadsworth and Alameda. All ages are welcome and no reservations are required.

Grand Junction – Ice skating is the nation’s fastest growing participant sport and Grand Valley skaters of all ages and abilities have enjoyed circling the Glacier Ice Arena rink with more than 30 hours of public skating weekly.

Durango – Chapman Hill Ice Rink of Durango, CO is an indoor rink and open seasonally from September 1st to March 31st. We also offer both Adult and Youth Ice Hockey programs and leagues.

Pueblo – Pueblo Plaza Ice Arena Ice Skating Rink. Founded in 1989, the Plaza Ice Rink is indoors and open year round which offers Ice Figure Skating & Ice Skating Lessons to all.