We Tried It: Ice Palace Hawai‘i

What:  Hawai‘i’s only ice skating rink

Who:  Two 6-year-old friends and their moms

Where:  Ice Palace Hawai‘i, Salt Lake

When: A Thursday morning during winter break

I must admit that I felt a childish rush of excitement when I saw the Instagram post from Ice Palace announcing its reopening. Yes, I was one of those little girls who idolized figure skater Kristy Yamaguchi! I haven’t been skating in years, not since my 6-year-old son, Duke, was born. With school closed for winter break, now was the perfect time to introduce him to one of my favorite activities (and enjoy some nostalgia myself.

We met up with Duke’s friend, Isla, and her mom at the entrance, but had to wait 20 minutes in line. I guess everyone else was just as excited about the reopening as us! We paid our admission fee ($16 for adults and kids) and walked inside. Heads up—there are no ‘in-and-out’ privileges, but adults who are not skating can chaperone for free.

Photo: Laura Dornbush

We were immediately taken aback by the temperature—brrrr—cold enough to make your nose run. Honestly everything looked the same to me from my visits years before—same layout, same lockers, same skates, same nacho-smelly-sock aroma. I did notice the snack bar looked updated with digital menu boards, but the arcade area was blocked off.

SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Roller Skating at Kiha Public Skate

First up, we collected our skates. We had the choice of figure skates or hockey skates—but we all went with figure skates. Note: the smallest hockey skates are size 1 in case your littles have their hopes up. After trading for a different size and remembering how to lace the skates up, we headed for the ice.

Photo: Laura Dornbush

Photo: Laura Dornbush

I love that there is a roped off beginner area giving first timers space to learn without pressure. Plus, you can borrow a ‘trainer’ – a metal walker – to hold onto and push in front of you. For Duke’s first steps out on the ice, I held the trainer and pushed it along with him. Next, he graduated to pushing the trainer himself, and finally ditched the trainer for holding my hand. I could tell skating was a challenge for him and that he was working hard not to fall.

Naturally athletic, Isla loved the gliding feeling and commented, “it’s just like ballet, but with different shoes.” Soon Isla was lapping Duke and even exited the beginner area for a loop around the rink.

Photo: Laura Dornbush

Photo: Laura Dornbush

The music playing was fun and festive lending to a ‘party vibe’ atmosphere. There was a wide variety of skaters—from experts wearing their own skates, to groups of high schoolers just hanging out, to adults learning to skate.

SEE ALSO: Ice Palace Hawai‘i Reopens with New Hours and a Refreshed Interior

We skated for about 75 minutes with one break for the Zamboni to clean the ice. As we changed into our street shoes, Duke said, “my feet feel weird, but I liked it,” and Isla announced that she would have her next birthday party there. Based on that review, it sounds like we’ll be back!

Photo: Laura Dornbush

Our Tips

1. 1. 1. 1. Leave the skate sizing to the experts. Skate sizes are different than shoe sizes, so let the staff do the conversion for you. And, feel free to go back to exchange them for a different size. Your feet will thank you!
            
         2. Bring quarters  The lockers cost 50 cents every time you close them, but beware – two of the lockers we tried ‘ate’ our quarters!
         3. Bundle up. I was told the interior temperature at Ice Palace is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Well, let me tell you that it feels much colder! We wore long pants, sweatshirts, mittens and beanies. Waterproof pants are a plus for first timers who may fall on the ice!
            
         4. Wear touch-screen gloves. You know you’re going to be taking lots of photos, so make it easy for yourself. Heads-up: snapping photos and videos while on the ice is not allowed, so find a good vantage point from the new bleachers.
         5. Embrace the fanny pack.  To keep your phone, tissues and hand wipes with you on the ice, an 80s throwback accessory is totally necessary.
         6. Break for chocolate.  The Zamboni cleans the ice halfway through each skate session – a perfect time to warm-up with hot cocoa. To avoid a long line at the snack bar, exit the ice a few minutes before the rest of the skaters.

Ice Palace Hawai‘i is now open daily with three public skating sessions: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 6 p.m., and 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $16 including skate rental. Check Instagram for special holiday hours, birthday party, skate lesson and hockey offerings (to be announced in mid-January). 4510 Salt Lake Blvd., (808) 487-9921, icepalacehawaii.com, @icepalacehawaii