Paul Smith noticed that when his family would travel in the winter, his kids spent as much time in the skating rinks as they did on the ski slopes.
After a few visits to the Astor Holiday Ice Skating Rink at the St. Regis a couple of years ago, Smith, the owner of Park Tavern at Piedmont Park, saw the popularity of local skating and decided that he had the space and the location to assemble his own rink.
Last year, “The Rink” at Piedmont Park opened, and about 28,000 ice devotees poured in throughout the season.
“We got a lot of families and children, especially on the weekends, but a total mix of people during the week. When the kids were out of school, we were fully committed for almost every session and the late-night session was packed nearly every night,” Smith said.
This year, those hoping to emulate the axels and lutzes as adroitly as Sasha Cohen and Johnny Weir, as well as those whose only goal is to remain upright for 20 minutes on a narrow blade, will have an 85 x 40-foot rink to glide around.
Skaters of all levels can also schedule lessons with professionals Caitlin McDonald and Marianne Turner.
But if you’re wondering how a restaurant becomes a skating oval, the Park Tavern patio is converted to “The Rink” and is covered, heated and equipped with a high-end sound system. Underground piping of glycol – a type of antifreeze – keeps the rink cold and water layered on top creates the ice, made from harvested rainwater and resurfaced several times a day by an ice team.
Smith estimates it costs about $250,000 to own; the big chiller stays on site year-round, but the sideboards are stacked in a storage facility come March.
While the rink hasn’t changed in size, more space and a fire pit have been added in the surrounding area. Other new additions include, on the culinary side, s’mores (last year’s popular frozen hot chocolate will also return) and for guests opting to sit instead of spin on the ice, horse and carriage rides through Piedmont Park, which Smith arranged with the Piedmont Park Conservancy.
And, in keeping with the everything-on-the-go times, Smith said a mobile app will soon be available to schedule sessions.
The Rink at Piedmont Park
Open: Through Feb. 28.
Hours: Sessions typically run every two hours from 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (10:30 p.m. session is 21 and older).
Cost: $15 (includes skates) or $300 for a season pass.
Info: Park Tavern, 500 10th St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-249-0001, www.xorbia.com/therink/
Other outdoor skating options:
Centennial Olympic Park
Ice, ice baby: As the only fully outdoor rink, Centennial's use of real ice instead of synthetic and Atlanta's moderate winters sometimes don't make an agreeable pair. But the rink has only closed twice since opening last month because of unseasonably warm temps melting the ice.
The choice to use real ice rather than synthetic, said longtime ice rink vendor Rick Glueckert, is because, “On synthetic, it’s like roller blading on shag carpet –there’s no gliding.” According to Glueckert, synthetic ice was designed for pro skaters and requires extremely sharp blades to be effective. In a public skating environment with rental skates, that isn’t always the case – plus, people fall down a lot.
Skaters can check the park’s social media outlets on Facebook and Twitter (@centennial_park) for weather updates or call 404-223-4412.
For the non-skaters: The Holiday in Lights display, plus a 58-foot tree, is on display for gawking daily until 11 p.m.
Open: Through Jan. 29.
Hours: Monday-Friday 4:30 -10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: $7 for 90-minute session plus $2 for skate rental. Those visiting Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta or taking a CNN tour can receive $2 off.
Info: Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W. Atlanta. 404-223-4412, www.centennialpark.com.
St. Regis Astor Holiday Ice Skating Rink
A tony option: The tented rink with real ice at the resort hotel – a novelty among skating opportunities – is back for its third year. An outdoor fire and waterfall provide sensory accompaniment, while skaters (and/or their charges) can indulge in the hot cocoa and s'mores being offered in the area surrounding the rink.
For the non-skaters: Holiday Tea with Santa takes place through Dec. 24 ($24 for children 12 and under) from 2-5 p.m. and includes a visit from Santa who will bring children a gift of gummy penguins and fish from the North Pole; a life-sized gingerbread house made with more than 900 eggs and 1,200 pounds of flour is located adjacent to the lobby fireplace and free to visit through Jan. 3.
Open: Through Jan. 3.
Hours: Monday-Friday noon-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $30 per hour (adults) and $18 per hour (children under 16). Prices include skate rental and valet parking.
Info: The St. Regis Atlanta, 88 W. Paces Ferry Road. 404-563-7797, www.stregisatlanta.com/Astor-Holiday-Ice-Rink
Have an Ice Day
Skating penguins?: What is billed as the only indoor/outdoor rink in the southeast returns for its 12th year at the Olde Town Conyers Pavilion. The 55 x 100 rink uses real ice and this year, clear walls have been added around the oval. Skaters might also bump into a fuzzy black and white pal known as Penny Penguin.
For the non-skaters: Plenty of snacks such as hot dogs, hot apple cider, soup and hot chocolate are available ringside, and Santa Claus will trundle in for numerous appearances.
Open: Through Feb. 28.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; weekends vary
Cost: $7 plus $2 skate rental. Season passes available for $79-$89.
Info: Olde Town Conyers Pavilion, 949 S. Main St., Conyers. 770-554-7506, www.icedays.com.
Here are some indoor options:
Ice Forum, 2300 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth. 770-813-1010 or Ice Forum at Town Center, 3061 George Busbee Parkway, Kennesaw. 770-218-1010. www.iceforum.com.
Marietta Ice Center, 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. 770-509-5067, www.mariettaice.com.
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