Grand Forks Ice Skating! Gliding Through Winter!

In case you weren’t aware, people enjoy ice skating as a major winter activity in greater Grand Forks! Our Midwest love for ice sports is no joke! Sure, kids play hockey from the time they’re two around these parts but, personally, I grew up figure skating so I am biased toward skating that doesn’t involve the fear of missing teeth. Either way, we love a good ice rink here.

Did you know there are over ten different indoor and outdoor public rinks available to choose from? We take this quite seriously if you can’t tell. If you’re a skating pro or a first-timer ready to lace up, I’m here to provide some insight into where exactly you can skate in Grand Forks during the prime time for ice time.

While we northern folk are known to be quite tough in winter conditions, sometimes you would prefer to skate without needing to wear approximately three to six different layers, dontcha know? If you’re thinking that indoor rinks would be a better fit for you, let me show you your options!

There are currently two indoor rinks with public ice time available here in the City of Grand Forks: the Blue Line Club Arena and the ICON Sports Center. Between these rinks, there are both daytime and nighttime ice availability – and the best part? No charge! So, lace up and get glidin’ folks!

The smaller communities in Grand Forks County take skating equally seriously. If you want to venture a little further out of the City proper, Manvel Park District operates the Jason Stadstad Arena, East Grand Forks is home to the Civic Center Arena and Northwood offers the Farmers Union Insurance Center Hockey Rink.

Up here we’re snow strangers when it comes to a truly cold winter day. So much so, that snow or shine you can find people skating away on the outdoor rinks having a very ice day! There are roughly ten different outdoor rinks with warming houses that operate on a set schedule. These spots are nestled in neighborhoods, so regardless of what part of the city you call home, a sheet of ice waits for you.

If you’re an ice hockey aficionado, outdoor ice rinks typically make it easier to bring all your gear. Indoor rinks often regulate the use of pucks or sticks on the ice. Make sure to keep tabs on the rules of the rink.

A few of the outdoor rinks I visit the most are the Lincoln Park Rink and the University Park Rink. They are well kept and have fantastic warming houses during daytime hours to keep skaters in tip top shape! University Park also offers two outdoor rinks! One with boards and one without!

If you’ve made it this far and don’t know how to skate or don’t have any ice skates tucked away in storage, kudos. I am here to assist in this dilemma. As one may expect, a region known for their skills on blades does in fact have many places that sell and rent them!

Now, we don’t need anything fancy if you’re a beginner, so places like Gerrell’s Sports Center/Hockey World and Play It Again Sports offer skate rentals. The warming house at Lincoln Drive Park can get you skating in no time, too. They offer free skate (and ski!) rentals during normal hours, but the sizes are limited so it’s not always a sure shot.

Or, maybe you’ve decided to fully commit to this intrinsically Midwest activity and want to buy some skates. The same places listed above also sell skates. Additionally, Scheels Sports Shop should have skates available for anyone eager to work on their twizzles or slap shots.

“Wait, but what if I don’t know how?” Never fear, we Grand Forksians are here to help! For beginners of all ages, boy, do we have an opportunity for you! Our area offers a variety of options to learn how to break some moves, instead of bones, on the ice. For less of a commitment, The Downtown Development Association has a Learn to Skate program right in downtown Grand Forks. Also available are Learn to Skate programs with consistent set schedules throughout the winter season. This includes Border Blades Figure Skating Club’s Learn to Skate program and EGF Parks and Rec Learn to Skate Program on the other side of the river. Whichever path you choose to take, know that these programs want the best for beginners of all ages.

Once you’ve mastered the beginner skills and foundations of ice skating, you may want to continue growing this new fun hobby. Luckily for you, skating is not one of those sports that wears you down to the point of no return. It is a cool skill you can keep handy for a lifetime!

When it comes to Grand Forks ice skating, we do have several options for sticking with this sport for the long-term. If ice hockey is more your speed, there are youth programs available through our parks and rec associations in the region. This includes some through EGF Parks and Rec, Grand Forks Youth Hockey Association, Crookston Blue Line Club, and more! Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about the adult crowd. Grand Forks Parks District also has leagues based on skill level available for adults!

Back over to my comfort zone, there are also more long-term opportunities for figure skating as well! A few of the more established clubs include the Northern Lights Figure Skating Club (my home club so my personal pick), Border Blades Skating Club, and the Crookston Figure Skating Club. All have great resources to encourage you to stay laced up and on the ice!

At the end of the day, whether you just want a day of fun on the ice, or if you want to pursue a new skill, our region has options for you! Just wait, in no time you’ll be able to show off some ice-cellent moves that will have everyone frozen with awe. As someone who has a long history on the ice, I can say our respective communities will be cheering you on! Good luck glidin’ out there, and remember, watch out for those toe-picks!