The Curry Village ice rink in Yosemite National Park is one of California's most dramatic outdoor ice skating venues. It just opened for the season last week, celebrating its 80th year of operation (photo courtesy of DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.).
The Curry Village ice rink came to life in 1928 when the Yosemite Winter Club flooded an unused parking lot. Now the rink is a regular winter fixture, framed by Yosemite Valley's dense pines and granite icons. While you’re gliding around the rink you can glance up to see Glacier Point, Washington Column, and North Dome.
"It’s fun to see people’s jaws drop when they look up during the afternoonsaid Mike Poisson, manager of the ice rink for DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite (the park’s official concessioner).
skating sessions and see the alpine glow on Half Dome,”
The Curry Village rink has all the amenities: a warming hut and new Riedell skates for rent (including Soft series figure skates and adult hockey skates). If you'd rather kick back and watch the skaters, there's a cozy fire pit nearby for socializing, making s’mores (kits sold on premises), sipping hot cocoa, apple cider or coffee, or just drinking in the beauty of Yosemite in winter.
Details: Daily skating sessions from 3:30- 6 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m. weekdays (subject to weather conditions). Weekends and holidays, the rink is also open 8:30-11 a.m., and noon-2:30 p.m. as well. Cost: $8 per session ($6 per child). Skate rental $3 per session.
For more information on winter activities and lodging in Yosemite, visit the DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite web site at http://www.yosemitepark.com/ or call 801-559-4949. For current ice rink conditions, call 209-372-8319. For road and weather conditions, call the automated National Park Service information line at 209-372-0200.
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2 comments:
Looks like a cool thing to do with the kids!
MA
great photo! I want to take my 3yr old ice skating this year. Think she can do it?
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