Winter skating in London is all about options. It's not necessary to brace yourself against a blizzard to enjoy the sport in this skate-loving city. London Community Services operates 11 indoor arenas, each with one to three artificial ice surfaces. Indoor arenas host figure skating, hockey play, lessons, drop-in skate time and competitions. Most London arenas include multiple amenities such as heated spectator viewing areas, changing rooms, concessions and skate sharpening. Carling and Glen Cairn arenas host the George Bray Hockey for Young People and Special Learning Needs programs. The Bray programs expand the sport to challenged youth, providing them with opportunities to cultivate confidence and to experience the rewards of participation.
Nothing compares to the joy of gliding carefree across open-air ice. London is home to three outdoor skate areas offering skating between early December and mid-March. Victoria Park is a free public skating rink. The park transforms into London's Winter Wonderland with more than 75,000 lights illuminating park trees. Holiday displays salute Santa and his reindeer, tin soldiers and others holiday characters. Covent Garden Market rink also has free public skating. An ice trail through Storybook Gardens adds a touch of fantasy to winter fun. The Storybook skate lane passes displays of beloved characters such as Humpty Dumpty and "The Wind in the Willows" creatures. Bring your own skates to the park or rent them from Storybook Gardens.
No need to pack away the skates during the summer months. Whether the goal is to build skating skills, keep fit or simply to enjoy a family experience, Earl Nichols Arena achieves the objective with two year-round artificial ice surfaces. Even as outside temperatures soar, the arena hosts public skates, senior skate time, and children and youth shinny in five age categories. Cool drinks replace hot chocolate at the concession booth, but skate sharpening services, a changing room and a spectator viewing area continue to serve skaters and their families.
London's community skating facilities and programs engage all ages in the sport while ensuring safety is a high priority. Full caged helmets are required for participation in most public skating activities and for all activities involving children younger than 5 years. Novice skaters are asked to remain within the rink center or designated beginner area. Skating backward and skating while holding a child in the arms are prohibited. London's learn-to-skate programs for tots, children, youth and adults teach skating fundamentals supporting rink time safety so that everyone may enjoy fun on the ice.
