Discover The 9 Largest Ice Skating Rinks In Maine This Winter

Gliding across the ice on an outdoor pond in Maine, “The Pine Tree State,” is pure wintertime delight. Whether you enjoy skating on a natural pond surrounded by snow-draped trees or a more organized indoor rink, Maine provides plenty of opportunities for skimming the ice. This northern gem offers a plethora of ice skating when the temperature drops, so lace up and get ready to discover the nine largest ice skating rinks in Maine this winter.

1. Knight’s Pond Preserve

Located among the rolling fields of Cumberland and North Yarmouth in Cumberland County, Knight’s Pond Preserve features an enormous 46-acre shallow pond which provides a picturesque locale for ice skating this winter. The entire preserve is 334 acres and offers plenty of alternative winter activities for every taste.

2. Sugar Loaf Outdoor Center

Located in Carrabassett Valley in Franklin County, Sugarloaf Outdoor Center is Maine’s largest Nordic Center featuring both warm and cold-weather recreation. Best known as an alpine skiing resort, the center offers a lodge, retail shop, rental center, and cafe, among other amenities.

Its skating rink boasts 17,000 square feet of space and is open from mid-December through the majority of March. Weather permitting, Sugarloaf is open 9-5 daily, with longer hours during vacation weeks and a Saturday Family Night ice skating from 5-7 p.m.

3. The Rink at Thompson’s Point

Located in the Libbytown neighborhood of Portland in Cumberland County, Thompson’s Point entertainment venue is a main (no pun intended!) point of interest. The Rink is a 10,000-square-foot arena located under an open-air pavilion.

Launched in 2015, the rink boasts a view of the Fore River and Portland skyline. Additionally, to keep the rink in pristine shape, workers resurface it every two hours (which takes 30 minutes). However, the $10 admission lasts all day from Wednesday through Friday from 3-9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

After a one-year reprieve to improve the rink in 2022-2023, Thompson’s Point will reopen in December with an expanded surface, modernized seating, and a new gathering and warming area.

4. Orland H. Blake Skating Pond

Blake Skating Pond is in Cumberland County just off Main Street near Yamouth’s log cabin municipal building. Because the pond offers free skating from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., be forewarned that it is often crowded at peak times. Patrons can thank the Village Improvement Society for recently installing a warming hut at the site, which contains a stone fireplace for warming up before the next skate.

5. Goddards Pond

Goddards Pond is located in Bath in Sagadahoc County. Maintained by the town of Bath, this expansive pond provides free public skating during the winter months. Because the pond is not shallow, look for signs that indicate that the ice is safe. This rink also showcases a warming hut and a concession stand. It is open from dawn to 9 p.m. daily.

6. The Waterhouse Center

Located in beautiful downtown Kennebunk, The Waterhouse Center offers free ice skating during the winter season. Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., this open-sided ice rink is maintained by the town’s own Zamboni.

7. The Bank of Maine Ice Vault

Located in Hallowell in picturesque Kennebec County, The Bank of Maine Ice Vault is the home of the Maine Moose ice hockey team. The facility offers public skating as well as lessons and a myriad of events, so be sure to check the calendar for all of the action. A contemporary facility with a regulation-sized rink, The Bank of Maine Ice Vault also features two conference rooms, full concessions, and a pro shop.

8. Scarborough Ice Rink

Located in bucolic Cumberland County on the southern coast of Maine, Scarborough Ice Rink offers two outdoor skating ponds. At 20 Municipal Drive, both ponds lie behind the brick maintenance building between the high school fields and Wentworth School. The rinks offer benches and spacious bathrooms for changing in and out of ice skating gear. Hours during the season are Monday-Friday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.