Stretching across the Mid-Atlantic, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the U.S., Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of natural wonders. Many residents and visitors flock to the state for fall and winter fun, taking in its beautiful fall colors and many winter activities. Ice skating is a year-round favorite, but there’s something special about skating in the winter. Several natural skating opportunities exist throughout the state, as well as indoor facilities. Let’s take a look at the nine largest ice skating rinks in Pennsylvania.
1. Woodloch Resort & Lake Teedyuskung
Woodloch Pines Resort features a wide variety of winter activities for its guests to take advantage of the snowy winters in the Poconos. The resort sits alongside the 79-acre reservoir Lake Teedyuskung. When weather permits, parts of the lake freeze into a natural skating surface. The resort offers skate, stick and puck, and training equipment rentals for those who stay at the resort, though guests are welcome to bring their own equipment. Woodloch Pines Resort also features a rink with 9,000 square feet of synthetic ice for guests.
Contact Information:
731 Welcome Lake Rd., Hawley, PA 18428
(570) 685-8000 ext.1
2. Parker Dam State Park
Parker Lake is just a small sliver of the 968 acres in the state park that surrounds the dam. However, the 20-acre lake features areas for swimming, fishing, boating, and — when the weather permits it — ice skating. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources maintains an ice skating area and monitors the ice thickness. They suggest checking the Winter Report for ice and snow depth information before traveling to the park.
Contact Information:
28 Fairview Rd, Penfield, PA 15849
(814) 765-0630
3. IceWorks Skating Complex
Initially, IceWorks opened with both an Olympic-sized rink and an NHL-sized rink. The complex added two additional NHL-sized rinks in 2001 to become a four-surface facility with ample room for the 180 hockey teams that call its rinks home. IceWorks hosts a variety of prestigious events for hockey, curling, figure skating, and hockey, as well as public skates, lessons, and party rentals.
Contact Information:
3100 Dutton Mill Rd, Aston, PA 19014
(610) 497-2200
4. Klick Lewis Arena
A multi-purpose sports facility, the Klick Lewis Arena houses three NHL-sized ice rinks for multiple activities at once. Each rink includes private party rooms available for rent by groups. The KLA hosts public skate times, various community programs, leagues, and more.
Contact Information:
101 Landings Drive, Annville, PA 17003
(717) 685-1401
5. Ice Castle Arena
The Ice Castle Arena in Pittsburgh features two NHL-sized rinks within its facility. The rinks host frequent public skating times year-round, as well as lessons, hockey leagues, and parties. The Ice Castle Arena also includes a gymnastics center, dining options, and an arcade.
Contact Information:
990 Castle Shannon Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 561-9090
6. Earl E. Schaffer Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink
A jewel of the Lehigh Valley, the outdoor rink opens in November — weather permitting — for public skating, hockey, and skate lessons for all abilities. This Olympic-sized rink offers space for everyone and offers a robust suite of adaptive tools for those with special needs. The rink can also be rented for private parties or groups.
Contact Information:
345 Illick’s Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610) 865-7104
7. Blue Cross RiverRink
With ice skating in the winter and roller skating in the summer, the RiverRink is a great year-round entertainment spot for all ages in Philadelphia. The RiverRink is one of the largest outdoor rinks in Pennsylvania. Through both Winterfest and Summerfest, the RiverRink offers fun and games along the Philadelphia Waterfront with food vendors, skate rentals, warming huts, and group reservations.
Contact Information:
101 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-7465
8. Penn Ice Rink, or Class of 1923 Skating Rink
Built in 1970, this ice rink was made possible by a generous gift from the University of Pennsylvania Class of 1923. The Class celebrated their 45th anniversary in 1968 with a $3.2 million gift to the school. In today’s money, that’s around $21.6 million. The rink now hosts a variety of collegiate hockey events, public skating, party rentals, and more.
Contact Information:
3130 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-1923
9. UMPC Rink at PPG Place
The UPMC Rink offers a winter wonderland in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. Measuring 67% bigger than the rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City, the Rink at PPG Place features daily skating between November 17 and February 25. People working nearby can purchase a lunchtime pass to let off a bit of steam, while other events and weekly specials will help everyone create magical winter memories.
Contact Information:
2 PPG Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 394-3641
Summary of the 9 Largest Ice Skating Rinks in Pennsylvania
Name | Location | Largest Rink | Combined Rink Size |
---|---|---|---|
1. Woodloch Resort & Lake Teedyuskung | Hawley | 79 acres | — |
2. Parker Lake Dam State Park | Penfield | 20 acres | — |
3. IceWorks Skating Complex | Aston | 19,500 square feet | 70,500 square feet |
4. Klick Lewis Arena | Annville | 17,000 square feet | 51,000 square feet |
5. Ice Castle Arena | Pittsburgh | 17,000 square feet | 34,000 square feet |
6. Earl E. Schaffer Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink | Bethlehem | 19,500 square feet | — |
7. Blue Cross RiverRink | Philadelphia | 17,000 square feet | — |
8. Penn Ice Rink | Philadelphia | 17,000 square feet | — |
9. UPMC Rink at PPG Place | Pittsburgh | 13,500 square feet | — |
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