Whether you live in Bloomington, Minnesota, or are visiting, it’s well worth you’re time to check out some of the area’s ice skating rinks. Ice skating is an excellent activity that the entire family can enjoy both indoors and outside. Let’s explore some of the area’s best rinks and what they offer.
Bloomington Ice Garden
Bloomington Ice Garden has been a favorite destination for ice skaters since 1970. The facility has three rinks, one of which is Olympic-sized. In addition to open skate sessions, the Bloomington Ice Garden also offers lessons for all ages and skill levels, year-round. The facility also hosts adult and junior hockey leagues.
Richfield Ice Arena
The Richfield Ice Arena features two regulation sheets of ice, open year-round. Open skate sessions, skating lessons, and skate rentals are available at the arena. The facility also hosts adult and youth hockey. Most notably, Richfield Ice Arena serves as the home arena for the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League.
The Star at Mall of America
Every winter, Mall of America opens up an outdoor skating rink around the iconic star statue that sits at its north entrance. Admission to the rink is free, and skates are available to rent. All proceeds from skate rentals benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. The rink is also available to rent for parties. After your skating session, you can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the mall’s many restaurants.
Guidant John Rose MN Oval
The Guidant John Rose MN Oval is an outdoor recreation facility featuring 110,000 square feet of refrigerated ice, making it one of the largest outdoor facilities in the world. The infield ice area hosts hockey games and open skating sessions. It’s surrounded by a 400-meter speed skating track. The Oval stays icy from November to March. From May to September, the Oval serves as an inline skating track and aggressive skate park. Its grandstand seats up to 300 spectators.
Super Rink
Super Rink is the world’s largest ice arena of its kind. The facility features four NHL-sized sheets of ice and four Olympic-sized sheets. Super Rink hosts several different hockey leagues, as well as professional figure skating competitions and training sessions. Open skate sessions and lessons are available to the public. Super Rink also rents out facilities for birthdays and other special occasions. The Hat Trick Cafe provides catering for these parties and also serves up everything from pizza to hamburgers during hockey games and skate sessions.
Public Parks
The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department operates outdoor ice skating facilities at 13 of its parks. Each facility includes an ice skating rink, a hockey rink, a warming house, and floodlights. Tretbaugh Park also features two ice rinks exclusively for playing broomball. Bloomington’s outdoor rinks are open from December through February.
These are just some of the fantastic spots for ice skating in the Bloomington area. No matter which one you visit, you’re sure to have a wonderful time creating special moments and memories.
