Picture it—a cold, snowy pond, with people dressed in all types of outerwear gliding across the ice on shiny blades. Maybe there’s a bonfire where you can warm your hands and roast marshmallows. Perhaps you prefer indoor skating, where you can still enjoy the experience while protected from the elements.

Ice-skating season has arrived! The sport will be even more popular this year as everyone becomes inspired by the Winter Olympics in February.

Here are a few places in the Upper Valley where you can practice and enjoy your skating skills.

The pond is not open yet for skating, but it should be soon, so keep an eye on the website for updates. The Dartmouth Outing Club house on-site rents hockey and figure skates, hockey sticks, and cross-country skis. There will also be a storytime and marshmallow-roasting events on Sundays from 11 am to noon throughout the winter starting in January. Access is free to the public.

Wendell A. Barwood Arena
45 Highland Ave
White River Junction, VT
(802) 295-5036
http://www.hartford-vt.org/2323/Wendell-A-Barwood-Arena

This is a great place to learn to skate, play hockey, or try curling. Public skating is available on Saturdays until March 2018. Homeschoolers are welcome to skate on Friday afternoons until mid-February. Learn-to-skate lessons take place on Sundays. There is also a Youth Stick ’n Puck program, and the Upper Valley Curling Club holds Learn to Curl days throughout the winter (uppervalleycurling.org). Skate with Santa This Saturday, December 16, skate with Santa from 4:15 pm to 5:30 pm. Find the latest information on the arena’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WABAarena/

394 North Main Street
West Lebanon, NH
www.campionrink.org
(603) 643-1222

Operated by the Hanover Improvement Society, James W Campion III Ice Skating Rink is home to many of the area’s school and independent hockey programs. However, there are plenty of times available for public skating and open stick hockey. Coming this Sunday, December 17, is the annual Skate with Santa event from 5:30–6:40pm. Check the rink’s website for public skating, open stick hockey, learn to skate, and learn to play hockey times.

Pat Walsh Park Ice Rinks
Bank Street Extension
Lebanon, NH
(603) 448-5121
https://lebanonnh.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Pat-Walsh-Park-Garden-Ice-Rinks-8

This project of the Friends of Lebanon Recreation and Parks offers two ice rinks in the park. One is for new-to-beginner skaters, and the other is for pick-up ice hockey games and advanced skaters. A warming hut is now under construction.