This winter, for the first time in recent history, it is possible to ice skate under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Since November, when Glide opened in Brooklyn Bridge Park, nearly 300 people have gathered there at any given time, according to organizers. With the Manhattan skyline in the background, patrons skate on real ice under flashing lights and digital art. When they're done skating, they can retire to a glass-walled cafe and drink hot chocolate and beer while eating cold cuts and pastries at the table.
Just across the East River, there's another new runway on the rooftop of Pier 17 in Manhattan's South Street Seaport neighborhood. This one was made of synthetic ice: a spongy, plastic material that parents can easily walk on while children master skates.
2023 was the first year people could ice skate 100 stories high on the Edge, the observation deck of a skyscraper at Hudson Yards, or skate on synthetic ice inside the vast Oculus at the World Trade Center. And as of Jan. 7, there was another new rink at Luna Park, an amusement park in Coney Island that has typically been a summer destination. (These are in addition to the classics: the Rockefeller Center track and the Wollman track in Central Park).
Ice skating, a cold-weather pastime for thousands of years, is happening in even more places this winter. New rinks have popped up not only in New York, but across the United States, offering expert and aspirational skaters a nostalgic seasonal activity that doesn't require snow, which has been in short supply after the hottest year in a century and a half.
These are not the indoor mall courts of yesteryear. Many have panoramic views and decor ideal for documenting on social media, as well as food and drink options. Those that use synthetic ice, like the rink at Pier 17, can be installed almost anywhere because manufacturing the material requires no water or energy. Ice skating is also relatively affordable. At Glide, for example, tickets start at $10 for children and $15 for adults, and there are discounts for New Yorkers. (Skate rental costs about $12).
In December, a new outdoor rink opened in Portland, Oregon, the city's first in 24 years. “Winter in Portland is dark and cold,” said Amanda Park, senior project manager for the city of Portland's urban and economic development agency, who spearheaded development of the rink. “We need more opportunities for families and individuals to get out and have fun.”
This was especially true this year, as many of the local ski resorts opened late due to lack of snow. Ms. Park said all pre-sale tickets for the Portland rink were sold out in December. The rink is scheduled to close on Jan. 28, but organizers are considering expanding it to meet demand, she added.
Like many of the slopes that have appeared recently, the one in Portland tries to create a complete atmosphere: it is surrounded by a winter village with fire pits, dining tables and 100 trees. Every Wednesday, a film related to the ice rink, such as “The Mighty Ducks” or “Cutting Edge,” is shown in town, and the film's soundtrack plays for the skaters on the ice. Fridays are “Ladies of Pop” night: music from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift plays while tweens and teens skate and take selfies.
Some new rinks offer people the opportunity to try skating for the first time. Morgan Mosley, 30, a content creator in Indianapolis, was excited that a rink was opening this winter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the stadium where the Indiana Pacers play. “I've seen a lot of ice skating in movies and on social media,” he said. “But I never had the chance to go.”
He bought tickets to the track's opening weekend. “It was a lot harder than it looked,” Mosley said, adding that he plans to keep doing it.
Organizers of the rink at Gainbridge Fieldhouse said they expected to attract 20,000 skaters during the six weeks it will be open. They recently reached that goal, they added, with three weekends and two full weeks left in the season.
U.S. Figure Skating, the sport's national governing body, said more beginners are getting involved across the country. Its Learn to Skate USA program reported a 10 percent increase in the 2022-23 season compared to the previous year.
But not all tracks have been a hit, especially among those looking for an authentic experience.
Before Christmas, Lynette Bedoya, a 27-year-old nail technician in Coral Springs, Florida, visited a new 4,000-square-foot synthetic ice rink at Las Olas Oceanside Park on the beach in Fort Lauderdale.
“I was really looking forward to a winter break experience,” he said. “Ice skating seems like the closest we can get.”
But the moment she stepped onto the fake ice, she felt disappointed. “It was horrible,” she said. “In fact, she could walk on it. There was no slipping or turning. “It was a waste of money.”
He was also struck by the absurdity of the surroundings. “I thought, 'What are we doing ice skating here?'”
