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With the sun deep in the southern horizon and a chill in the air, it’s time to lace up those skates. Ice skates that is. The High Sierra has plenty of options both indoor and outdoor where you can strap on a pair of blades and hit a frozen rink. Here’s just a few of the spots you can go ice skating in the High Sierra.

Half Dome Ice Skating Rink

Half Dome Village Rink Ice Skating In The High Sierra
Image appears courtesy: Visit Yosemite | Madera County

Welcome to one of the most celebrated winter-time traditions in Yosemite National Park. Visitors have enjoyed hitting the slick stuff since 1928 in the Half Dome Village. Even if gliding on a sheet of ice doesn’t take your breath away, the scenery sure will. The rink offers up spectacular views of Half Dome & Glacier Point.

Long Barn Ice Skating Rink

Long Barn Lodge Ice Rink Ice Skating In The High Sierra
Image appears courtesy: Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau

Want a guarantee that the ice will be perfect? Long Barn Lodge offers a popular indoor ice rink for all levels of skaters. It’s been a family-favorite winter destination for decades. And for those that haven’t ice skated before, they provide both private and group lessons to make sure you maximize the fun level.  

Northstar California Ice Skating Rink

Northstar Ice Skating Rink Ice Skating In The High Sierra
Image appears courtesy: NLT Chamber of Commerce

Located in the heart of The Village at Northstar, the 9,000 square foot arena is the perfect ending to your day in the mountains. Recapture your childhood moments on the skating rink in the Village center. After you’re done gliding on the ice or maybe just need a break, enjoy an adult cocktail at the Cabana bar or a hot cocoa next to the many fire pits surrounding the picturesque venue. Not near Northstar? Well, be sure to check out the vast list of rinks that are available in North Lake Tahoe.

Prosser Creek Reservoir

For those that love backcountry skiing and want to try their hand at the outdoor kind of ice skating, Prosser Creek Reservoir is a wonderful option. Located four miles outside of the Historic Town of Truckee, it offers up some great skating. Since this is the great outdoors, it is your responsibility to take precautions and know the conditions. For those that are a bit wary and want to be on REAL rink there’s a boat load of options to be found in and around Truckee. From the largest ice rink in the region at Northstar located only 20 minutes away as we talked about above or within walking distance from downtown the Truckee Donner Ice Rink.

There are few things more enjoyable on a winter’s day than a good skate. Lucky for us, the High Sierra is home to some epic indoor and outdoor ice rinks offering many opportunities to get out there and enjoy it. Don’t let the season pass by without getting at least one session of skating in.

Author: Alex Silgalis

Alex Silgalis is an outdoors travel writer who enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, or having a cold one from a local mountain brewery. See more of Alex’s work at https://localfreshies.com

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History & Culture

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