Discover the 7 Largest Ice Skating Rinks in New Mexico

Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, all of these Southwestern states have large swathes of arid desert: Southwesterners like to cool off once in a while. For the Land of Enchantment, they have a number of options for carving it up in a frozen wonderland. There are even a few microclimates that get cold enough to host seasonal outdoor skating rinks. Check out the 7 largest ice skating rinks in New Mexico

7. Ruidoso Outdoor Ice Rink

Ruidoso’s Wingfield Park hosts an outdoor, canopied skating rink which opens at the end of November. (And that’s just a little over 100 miles from the hottest temperature ever recorded in New Mexico. 122 F at Carlsbad.) The size isn’t listed, but it appears to be the smallest that could be found.

Put on by the city’s parks and rec department, there is also a wonderful holiday lights display on the grounds. Additionally, seated ice scooter for the little ones are available.

6. Santa Ana Star Center

The Santa Ana Star Center, according to the Silver Skate Festival, is large enough to host hockey games and public skating. This rink is in Rio Rancho, NM, just outside of Albuquerque.

5. James Sewell Cloudcroft Ice Rink

The small town of Cloudcroft, NM is just south of Ruidoso. It’s unique geography also gives this town one of only the few natural ice rinks in the Southwestern US. In Zenith Park, the rink is also called James Sewell Ice Rink, after the former mayor and creator.

Cloudcroft gets a hefty boost of tourism from this 60 by 120 foot rink. Though there is a canopy to prolong the season and to keep the sun from melting it, operation is intermittent. Still, 80 to 90 percent of the customers come from out of town making this a major attraction.

4. The Mac

The McDermott Athletic Center lists it’s arena as a “full-size ice rink.” With regular figure skating and a youth hockey league, this rink in Rio Rancho, NM is large enough for any outing.

3. Genoveva Chavez Community Center

Santa Fe has a reputation as an artsy, bohemian city. It’s even part of the UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art network. But it still has the everyday needs of a major metropolis, like an NHL-sized skating rink in it’s community center.

2. Los Alamos Ice Rink

Built in 1936, Los Alamos ice rink in Los Alamos, NM is likely the oldest in the state. This one is fully outdoors, no canopy. The county parks and recreation website reminds skaters to dress warmly. It is an NHL-sized rink.

1. Outpost Ice Arena, Number One of the Largest Ice Skating Rinks in New Mexico

Visitalbequerque.com notes that Outpost Ice Arena is home to two NHL-sized rinks making this number one of the largest ice skating rinks in New Mexico.

There is a lane in the outer perimeter connecting the two rinks, providing a 1/5th-mile track. It’s also Albuquerque’s full-service skate shop with skate sharpening and repair.

The rink is home to Albuquerque’s NAHL minor league hockey team the Ice Wolves.

Largest Ice Skating Rinks in New Mexico

Cloudcroft’s facility means this state has a natural ice skating rink within 150 miles of the country of Mexico. But the Land of Enchantment also has numerous NHL-sized rinks for a workout, family outing or an adventurous kids’ birthday party.