Skating & Sledding

The following section provides information about skating lessons and other winter activities.
Open skating and open hockey are offered for all ages and skill levels at The Rec Center, 3700 Monterey Drive.

Hockey Skating Skills
Ages 6 - 9
ISI Hockey staff will help new skaters develop basic skills and help experienced skaters improve turns, stops and speed. No pucks will be used. Participants must provide their own hockey skates, stick, helmet and mouth guard. Gloves and shin pads are optional.

• The Rec Center, 3700 Monterey Drive
• $75 per child (resident) / $84 (non-resident)
• Activity # 4877

Ice Skating Lessons - Adult
Ages 16 and older
Sessions are designed for the recreational skater, and the participant/instructor ratio is 10:1. At the first class, ability levels will be reviewed, and students may be moved to another level. At the end of the session, participants are tested and awarded patches for achievement. (It is not unusual for a student to remain in the same level for a few sessions before mastering the skills to move to the next level.) Fee includes skate rental.

Spring Session

$75 per person (resident) / $84 (non-resident)

Beginner has little or no skating experience or can skate backward and do backward crossovers.
Advanced has mastered backward skating and backward crossovers and is ready to learn turns up, spins and jumps.

Ice Skating Lessons - Tots
Ages 4 to 6
Sessions are designed for the recreational skater, and the class ratio is one instructor to 10 participants. The Ice Skating Institute sanctions all instructors. At the first class, ability levels are reviewed, and students may be moved to another level. At the last session, participants are tested, and patches are awarded for each level of achievement. (It is not unusual for a student to remain in the same level for a few sessions before mastering the skills to move to the next level.) Fee includes skate rental.

$75 per child (resident) / $84 (non-resident)

Beginner has little or no skating experience and can walk but not glide.
Advanced can skate, glide and is able to skate backward for a short distance.

Ice Skating Lessons - Youth
Ages 7 to 15
Sessions are designed for the recreational skater, and the skater/instructor ratio is 10:1. At the first class, ability levels will be reviewed, and students may be moved to another level. At the end of the session, participants are tested and awarded patches for each level of achievement. (It is not unusual for a student to remain in the same level for a few sessions before mastering the necessary skills to move to the next level). Fee includes skate rental.

All held at The Rec Center, 3700 Monterey Drive
$75 per person (resident) / $84 (non-resident)
Registration remains open until filled or first class begins.

Beginner has little or no skating experience and can walk but not glide.
Pre-Alpha can skate and glide forward and backward for a short distance. Also for beginning skaters ages 7 to 15.
Alpha can proficiently skate and glide forward and backward, and do forward crossovers and snow plow stops.
Beta, Gamma, Delta and Freestyle are levels more advanced than Alpha
Advanced has mastered backward skating and backward crossovers. Ready to learn turns through spins and jumps (Gamma, Delta, Freestyle 1 to 10)
Synchronized Skating is designed to familiarize participants with elementary holds, elements, and transitions. Synchronized s a team sport with the grace of ballet, the elegance of ice dancing and the beauty of pair skating all combined into an amazing group performance on ice. The curriculum is a fun introduction to the five basic elements: Circle, Line, Block, Intersection, and Wheel (for Alpha level and above).

Indoor Ice Rink Rental
You can rent The Rec Center's indoor ice arena for birthday parties, family celebrations, and company or school group events. We'll provide the gallery room for two hours without additional charge. The Banquet Room can also be reserved for use at half the cost. Rental skates are included with private ice rental. Due to limited supply, we encourage users to bring their own skates.

$165 plus tax, ($176.39) per hour

Indoor Ice Skating Party
During open public skating sessions, the adjacent gallery room can be rented for private parties. Skate rental is also available for $2.
$50 for a two-hour room rental (resident) / $60 (non-resident)
Plus skating admission ($3.50 per child / $4 per adult)

Public Open Indoor Skating
All ages
Too cold outside? Visit The Rec Center’s indoor ice arena during open skating sessions. No registration is required. Please note the skating schedule exceptions or call (952) 924-2567, option 7, to confirm dates and times.

• 3700 Monterey Drive
• (952) 924-2540

Adult Open Hockey
Ages 16 and older
Open hockey is available at The Rec Center's indoor ice arena. The schedule is subject to change; call (952) 924-2567 to confirm dates and times.

Tuesdays: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Thursdays: Noon to 1:30 p.m.

• The Rec Center, 3700 Monterey Drive
• $5 per person
• $4 skate sharpening
• $45 for 10-pass punch card

Youth Open Hockey
Ages 6 - 18
Bring your own equipment and have fun playing open hockey on non-school days and holiday breaks. It is recommended that a parent or guardian be in attendance during skating sessions. This is a drop-in program without staff supervision.

Winter Session

Individual Admission............................................... $5
Skate sharpening..................................................... $4

Outdoor Hockey Rink Rental
Outdoor hockey rinks with nets are available for private rental at Browndale, Nelson, Oak Hill and Northside Parks during and after regular warming house hours. Broomball nets available only at Nelson.
$25 per hour (resident) / $35 (non-resident)

Outdoor Rinks

• Bass Lake Park, 3450 Glenhurst Ave.
  (figure skating rink)
• Birchwood Park, 2701 Zarthan Ave. S.
  (hockey and figure skating rinks)
• Center Park, 3750 Wooddale Ave.
  (multi-use skating area)
• Edgebrook Park, 3920 Pennsylvania Ave. S.
  (figure skating rink)
• Parkview Park, 6801 33rd St. W.
  (hockey and figure skating rinks)

Outdoor Rinks with Warming Houses
The city has four parks with warming houses near their ice skating rinks. Warming houses will close when the temperature falls below -10 degrees and/or the wind chill is -15 degrees or lower. Call our Weather Line at (952) 924-2567 for updates.  Hot cocoa and bottled water will be sold for $1 each at the Browndale, Nelson, and Oak Hill Park warming houses.

• Browndale Park, 4525 Morningside Ave.
  (hockey and figure skating rinks)
• Nelson Park, 2500 Georgia Ave. S.
  (hockey or broomball rink)
• Northside Park, 2200 Louisiana Ave. S.
  (hockey and figure skating rinks)
• Oak Hill Park, 3201 Rhode Island Ave.
  (hockey and figure skating rinks)

Try Snowshoeing or Kicksledding
If you're ready to venture out on Westwood's trails on your own, you can rent snowshoes and kicksleds. Call (952) 924-2544 for details.

Warming House Hours
Regular hours
Jan. 4 – Feb. 15 (holidays & weather permitting)
Monday–Thursday........... 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday............................... 4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday........................... 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday.............................Noon - 7 p.m.

Holiday & School Release Day Hours
Jan. 18..............................Noon – 8 p.m.
Jan. 22.............................Noon – 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 15.............................Noon – 8 p.m.

Winter Park Shelter Rentals
Three enclosed park buildings are available for rental. Park buildings can accommodate groups up to 25. Outdoor rinks will open on Dec. 18 (pending favorable weather conditions). Please call (952) 924-2540 for information or a rental brochure.

• Dec. 18 - Feb. 15 (pending favorable weather conditions)

• Browndale Park, 4525 Morningside Ave.
• Nelson Park, 2500 Georgia Ave. S.
• Oak Hill Park, 3201 Rhode Island Ave.
• $40 per hour (resident) / $50 (non-resident)