Discover The 12 Largest Ice Skating Rinks In North Carolina This Winter

Written by Lisa Bohler
Published: November 10, 2023
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Little girl learning to ice skate. Figure skating school. Young figure skater practicing at indoor skating rink.

Enjoy the fun of the winter months by skating your cares away.

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Ice skating in North Carolina is one of my favorite winter activities. Ice-skating offers healthy exercise, and many of the rinks are open all year so hockey players and figure skaters can practice and maintain their skills no matter what season it is.

Ice skating was originally invented as a means of transportation. The skates had bone blades. In 1876, the first man-made rink, the Glaciarium, opened in London. However, ice skating was not recognized as a Winter Olympic sport until 1908.

Today, we are discovering the 12 largest ice rinks in North Carolina. However, these rinks are less large than the world’s Largest rink in Ottowa, Canada. That rink has an area that covers six square miles.

1. The Carolina Ice Zone in Greenville, NC

Figure Skating starts when children are young.

Learning to soar across the surface unattended brings a smile to a girl’s face.

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Ice skating in North Carolina offers fun and excitement throughout the year. Year-round ice skating fun awaits you at the Carolina Ice Zone in Greenville. They offer public skating, hockey team participation, and private rink skating. This is the perfect skating venue for beginners, part-time skaters, and experts.

The Carolina Ice Zone in Greenville is family-friendly. They schedule birthday party celebrations and unique experiences that establish lifelong memories.

The Carolina Ice Zone 104 Red Banks Rd. Greenville, NC 27858. Phone: (252) 353-8888

2. Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail Offers Indoor Ice Skating

Woman holding white skates.

Skates are covered to prevent accidents when they are being carried.

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Ice skating at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail is a unique experience. This rink is the ideal location for learning to skate with classes for all ages. They also host figure skating, public skating, hockey, and skating camps and events.

This is an indoor ice skating in North Carolina establishment. The Extreme Ice Center also offers pilates. Ice skating rinks in North Carolina offer opportunities for all skating enthusiasts. Skate without weather concerns and learn from the pros at the Extreme Ice Center.

The Extreme Ice Center is at 4705 Indian Trail Fairview Rd., Indian Trail, NC 28079. Phone: (704) 882-1830.

3. The Greensboro Ice House

Family fun for all ages.

This is a family-friendly activity for all ages.

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Family fun, excitement, winter sports participation, and healthy activities are part of the Greensboro Ice House experience and the winter activity of ice skating North Carolina style. They offer public skating and learning opportunities with private and group lessons. Individuals who wish to learn to skate can be as young as 5. They also offer public skating. However, public skating is a scheduled event.

The Greensboro Ice House is at 6119 Landmark Center Blvd Greensboro, NC 27407.

Phone: (336) 852-1515 Email: [email protected]

4. Orange County Sportsplex in Hillsborough Offers Ice Skating

A winter sports date night.

Outdoor-lighted surfaces are romantic and enchanting.

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The Orange County Sportsplex offers sports-related activities for all ages. Their ice skating opportunities accommodate all ages and genders. Teachers are available to instruct toddlers, youth, and adults. If you have not skated in a long time, you can take a simple refresher course to get you quickly up to speed.

Ice skating rinks in North Carolina offer hockey team opportunities for youth and adults, and the Orange County Sportsplex offers figure skating and instructional skating classes, teams, and opportunities. Moreover, childcare is provided at the sportsplex so parents can enjoy fun and know their children are being cared for.

The Orange County Sportsplex is at 101 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. Phone: (919) 644-0339.

5. The Piedmont Winterfest in Greensboro Brings Ice Skating

Beautiful girl having fun in winter park, balancing while skating at ice rink. Enjoying nature, winter time

Skating on an outdoor rink is exhilarating.

©begalphoto/Shutterstock.com

The Piedmont Winterfest in Greensboro allows skaters to skate on an outdoor rink. The exhilaration of outdoor winter sports is incomparable to any other experience. Open from November 17th until the end of January.

You will have opportunities for public skating, private parties, and skating classes for beginners of all ages. Curling and other ice sports are available at the Piedmont Winterfest.

The fun happens at LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro at 208 N. Davie Street. Greensboro, NC. 27401.

Email: [email protected]

6. Polar Ice House in Cary, NC

Ice-skating, Asian and Indian Ethnicities, Indoors, Friendship, Child

Group of teenage friends ice skating on an ice rink

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The Polar Ice House in Cary is a single-sheet skating rink that is a part of the five rinks owned by the Polar Ice North Carolina franchise. Polar Ice House in Cary offers public skating, hockey, figure skating, and group skating adventures. Book a birthday party, send your children to camp, or enjoy a weekend adventure.

The Cary location of Polar Ice North Carolina is at 1410 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, NC.

7. The Polar Ice House in Garner, NC

Happy family spending time together at outdoor ice skating rink

Playing on the ice reduces the winter doldrums.

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In Garner, the Polar Ice House has a single-sheet rink. They offer learn-to-skate opportunities, learn-to-play hockey opportunities, public skating, figure skating, and celebrations for birthdays and events.

This rink is at 103 New Rand Rd, Garner, NC 27529.

8. Polar Ice in Wake Forest, NC

young father teaching his little smiling son ice skating and having fun time

Winter sports offer teaching moments and bonding opportunities.

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The Polar Ice in Wake Forrest is a twin-sheet skating facility. That is twice the ice, so there are more opportunities for group skates, public skates, and hockey can be played on one sheet while figure skating takes place on the other.

This Polar Ice facility is at 1839 S Main St #200, Wake Forest, NC 27587.

9. The Rink in Raleigh, NC

Children love winter sports

Children love the adventure of learning to skate on ice.

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Ice skating in North Carolina on pristine rinks with a fantastic view of the Raleigh skyline is rare. The Rink in Raleigh offers that and so much more. Visitors find a winter wonderland at the rink with outdoor seating and warming stations. There is a holiday photo section that includes a 6-foot bulb display.

Hot cocoa, snacks, and treats are available to purchase. Beer and wine are sold to adults. However, you need to bring your photo ID to purchase them. If you do not feel like skating, you can play on the giant Jenga and cornhole boards. There are activities for everyone and plenty of fun to go around.

Bring your skates or rent a pair when you get to the Rink in downtown Raleigh.

10. The Whitewater Center in Charlotte Offers Ice Skating

Evening smoothing of the ice

Before skaters get on the ice, the surface requires preparation.

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In the fall, the Whitewater Center of Charlotte creates an ice rink at the upper pond. At outdoor venues, ice skating in North Carolina is not as common as in the covered arenas. All ice skating activities occur at the Whitewater Center, including figure skating, beginner skating, public skating, private parties, and hockey.

Whitewater is at 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214. Phone: (704) 391-3900.

11. Wilmington Ice House in Wilmington, NC

Preparing the ice

Ice resurfaces keep the rinks smooth and easy to navigate.

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Welcome to ice skating in North Carolina at its finest. The Wilmington Ice House has a single-sheet rink open to public and private fun. Ice hockey for all ages, public skating for all levels and ages, and figure skating are some activities visitors enjoy.

The Wilmington Ice House location is 7201 Ogden Business Ln, Wilmington, NC 28411. Phone for main rink: (910) 686-1987.

12. The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds

Closeup of winter skates

Grab your skates and head out to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds for some fun.

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Ice skating in North Carolina is a vast winter activity. On days that school is closed, the rink at the fairgrounds opens from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Public skating opportunities occur daily. Enjoy spending time with your family and getting healthy exercise while visiting the ice rink at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.

The Ice rink for the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds is at 414 Deacon Boulevard, Winston-Salem. Phone: (336) 734-1594.

Summary of 12 Largest Ice Skating Rinks In North Carolina This Winter

Rink Location
1Carolina Ice Zone104 Red Banks Rd. Greenville, NC 27858
2Extreme Ice Center4705 Indian Trail Fairview Rd, Indian Trail, NC 28079
3Greensboro Ice House6119 Landmark Center Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407
4Orange County Sportsplex101 Meadowlands Dr, Hillsborough, NC 27278
5Piedmont WinterfestLeBauer Park, Downtown Greensboro
6Polar Ice House Cary 1410 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh,NC
7Polar Ice House Garner103 New Rand Rd, Garner, NC 27529
8Polar Ice Wake Forest1839 S Main St #200, Wake Forest, NC 27587
9The RinkDowntown Raleigh
10Whitewater Center5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214
11Wilmington Ice House7201 Ogden Business Ln, Wilmington, NC 28411
12Winston-Salem Fairgrounds414 Deacon Boulevard Winston-Salem

The photo featured at the top of this post is © New Africa/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Lisa Bohler is a writer for A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Lisa has been writing and researching animals for over 12 years and holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Creative Writing from Liberty University, which she earned in 2021. A resident of Texas, Lisa enjoys fishing, gardening, and caring for the animals on her small hobby farm.

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