written by Hayden Seder
For those visiting the Wood River Valley this winter season, put away the skis and sleds for a day and try a different winter activity: skating! Whether you’re a complete beginner or a pro on the ice, lacing up a pair of figure or hockey skates can be a great family friendly activity. There are three rinks to choose from, from a completely free outdoor rink in Ketchum to the historic Sun Valley Ice Rink in the heart of the Sun Valley Village and the Campion Ice House in Hailey. Whether you visit all three or just stick to one, you’ll be sure to have fun!
Campion Ice House
Prior to the building of the Campion Ice House in 2015, Hailey made do each winter with a free, outdoor natural ice sheet, first at Roberta McKercher Park and then the Hailey Rodeo grounds. But the community wanted an enclosed ice arena, and thus the Campion Ice House was born, providing an affordable skating facility in Hailey as well as a home for the local Sun Valley Suns amateur ice hockey team. The facility runs numerous events and programming, including learn-to-skate clinics, a curling league and clinics, public skate, and hockey for youth, an adult rec league, and the Suns. Skate rentals are just $5, with punch cards available. A small café inside the rink serves up a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as snacks like pretzels, nachos, and more.
Sun Valley Ice Rink
The Sun Valley Ice Rink is an iconic landmark in Sun Valley, nestled in the heart of the Sun Valley Village, behind the Sun Valley Lodge. The rink is actually two ice rinks, an outdoor and an indoor, both available for public free skate, private lessons, hockey, and home to the Sun Valley Figure Skating School. A variety of professional and Olympic skaters can often be found practicing here, preparing for Sun Valley on Ice shows, where the public are invited to view spectacular entertainment on ice put on by some of the best skaters in the world. The outdoor rink, open year-round, is visible from the Sun Valley Lodge, which makes for the perfect opportunity to sip hot cocoa and toddies from the patio while watching figure skaters practice. Skate rentals are available at the fully equipped pro shop.
Christina Potters Outdoor Ice Rink
This ice rink is formed each winter over what is a soccer field in the summer, so make sure to give this seasonal rink—one of the largest non-refrigerated rinks in the Northwest—a visit while you can! Located at Atkinson Park, next to Hemingway Elementary in Ketchum, the Christina Potters ice rink operates roughly from Christmas to President’s Day, though this is entirely dependent on the weather, as night temperatures must be low enough for the rink to freeze. Once in operation, though, this spot is great for families and those looking for a budget-friendly activity: Ice skates, hockey skates, helmets, pucks, and sticks are all available at no charge. The rink may not be as smooth as Zamboni’d ones, but the accessibility of this rink makes for a fun environment, full of people of all ages and abilities. Grab a cup of cocoa inside the adjacent rec center to warm up and do some great people watching!
