Winter getaways: Check out these 3 awesome outdoor ice rinks

(Evergreen Lake in Colorado is just 30 minutes from Denver and is nestled in the Rocky Mountains). Photo courtesy of Evergreen Park & Recreation District.

(Red Square Rink in Russia).
By Brittany Anas
Winter weight gain? No way. There’s plenty of fun winter sports and activities to pull you out of hibernation and keep you active during January. Take the sleds out for a spin, plan a snowshoe getaway, hit the slopes for a day of skiing or snowboarding — or get nostalgic with a day trip or vacation to some of America’s best outdoor ice rinks.
Did you know you could burn up to 450 calories while ice skating? (No need to feel guilty when you indulge in a peppermint hot chocolate after a day of skating, right?).
Here’s a few real-life winter wonderlands, where you and your family can enjoy a day of skating.
- Evergreen Lake in Evergreen, Colorado. Typically open from mid-December to March for ice skating, this rink is picturesque and nestled in the Rocky Mountains about a half hour from Denver. Evergreen Park & Recreation District maintains the lake, which is the world’s largest Zamboni-groomed outdoor ice rink. Evergreen Lake includes an 8.5-acre stretch of ice with 11 pond hockey rinks. Rent skates at the nearby lakehouse, which also has a fireplace to warm up next to and hot cocoa for sale. The public skating is a good deal, too: Adult tickets are $7, youth tickets are $6 and toddlers 3 years and under are free.
- Skating Rink at the Red Square in Russia. For our international pick, we were charmed by this outdoor rink in Russia that is framed by colorful Christmas lights. The rink is open from now until March 16th, every day from 10 a.m. to midnight. During the Christmas season, a fair operates nearby — with vendors selling warm socks and mittens, mulled wines, toys and other gifts.
- The Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Ladies, here’s your chance to feel like you’ve been cast in a rom-com. This famous ice rink with an urban backdrop is a New York City (and holiday movie) staple. Adults are $27 and children under 11 and seniors are $15. But you can also skip the lines and get to the ice through a private igloo with a special VIP package.
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