Skating near NYC over the holidays

[Skittl1321]

I'm visiting New Jersey around new years and was wondering if it would be worth it to bring my skates.

My Dad said he thought it would be great to skate in Rockefeller Center, but with the incredible crowds, I'm thinking it's probably gonna be about the same in rentals. I've heard that if you take private lessons in the morning it's WAY less crowded. Do any locals have tips?

Is it worth it to skate there for the "experience"? Do you recommend going to one of the other outdoor rinks instead?

I will be near the ice house too, but this isn't really "training" skating so much as family skating. Still if it's going to be more than just going in circles, I like to have my own skates, because they expect to see good skating :)

[dbny]

Liz on Ice has her lessons at Rockefeller Ctr in the winter. You should PM her if she doesn't check in here soon.

[badaxel]

There's a couple of good rinks in NJ that have public sessions. If you PM me and let me know where you'll be, I can be of more help.

[jazzpants]

I'm visiting New Jersey around new years and was wondering if it would be worth it to bring my skates.Is it worth it? Let's put it this way...pray and hope I get a job soon so I would be able to JOIN you around that time for a skatingforums meetup!!!

I would suggest also going to Central Park for the FS sessions, as well as the Hack if you have a car. If you're lucky, you might get to do a bit of "star-gazing" too, if you know what I mean... ;)

And if you want to take to take lessons with my wonderful NYC coach at Chelsea Piers (or my EVILLE Moves Guru at the Hack... Warning: he's a sweetheart off-ice, but a drill sergeant during your lesson!!! :twisted: :lol: ), PM me and I'll give you their contact info. I sadly might not be able to make it this year. :cry: (Yes, it's definitely breaking my heart just writing that. I always look forward to seeing him when I'm visiting around Christmas time.)

[Skittl1321]

Hmm... not sure where I will be quite yet; as there are 3 houses to stay at, and family hasn't been "assigned" yet. It's all Bergen County though, I believe. And I think at least one of them is actually IN hackensack. We'll make at least 1 trip into the city, possibly two, as it's not a long drive at all.

[liz_on_ice]

I'm visiting New Jersey around new years and was wondering if it would be worth it to bring my skates.

My Dad said he thought it would be great to skate in Rockefeller Center, but with the incredible crowds, I'm thinking it's probably gonna be about the same in rentals. I've heard that if you take private lessons in the morning it's WAY less crowded. Do any locals have tips?

Is it worth it to skate there for the "experience"? Do you recommend going to one of the other outdoor rinks instead?


I mostly only go during the season pass-holder's session, and the occasional odd time when it isn't crowded.

If you are there in Tree season, it is a madhouse. The line is lengthy well before opening time. My coach takes vacation from the middle of December through New Years since it's impossible for her to get anything done with students. After the tree comes down, it gets back to normal.

It is really really beautiful though, and everyone is excited and happy to be there. It's a wonderful vibe, so if you can get there with your family first thing in the morning I think you'll find it is worth it.

If your family isn't that organized, Wollman is also really pretty. Outdoor ice is just a whole 'nother experience to rink ice. If you can possibly arrange it, skate in a snowfall!

[Isk8NYC]

Assuming there are no budget cuts, Secaucus, NJ has a seasonal municipal rink that's okay for a family get-together. The ice was good last time I was there. There's a review on the board somewhere. No view, though.

The Englewood Field Club is a really pretty outdoor rink. You should call in advance because it's a private country club that's supposed to be "members only."

You could make a pilgrimage to Fritz Dietl's ice rink in Westwood, NJ (Washington Township.) It's just very nostalic to see what determination and talent can bring about - someone said the photos of Mr. Dietl stilt-skating are still up and the tiny, garage-come-rink is definitely an experience. The town is cute, but I think that Progress has finally reached their neck of the woods.

The Palisades Mall has an ice rink on their upper level. I think they have ice dancing sessions through the Club.

Ice Vault Arena in Wayne, NJ is off the beaten path, but it's a great rink. (I used to be on staff there.) The layout is great and they have two sheets of ice. There's a playground and park nearby if it's not too cold outside, and there are a few shopping centers not too far away.

If you don't mind a drive, the Rye Beach Casino skating rink is another nostalgic place to skate. I've only been to Rye Beach during the warm months, so my tour of the rink was by sneaker, not skates. The art-deco styling is beautiful.

The problem with mixing Manhattan rinks and sightseeing is the need to haul your skates around all day long. Leaving them in a locker just isn't really an option. I doubt the rentals are in good shape, given the amount of use they get.

Rockefeller Center is the rush-hour subway of ice skating - you can't fall down because of the crowds and yes, the ice gets ripped up very quickly. Unless you're going before Thanksgiving, the rink is going to be crowded except for early morning. Sometimes the lunchtime crowd is low. It's also expensive to skate there. They do have some package deals with dining, (ie. Breakfast and Skate With Santa) but that adds to the cost. It is cool to skate with the crowds and buildings all around you - definitely an experience to be enjoyed. The "Today" show films in Rockefeller Center, so they occasionally have skaters come and perform and the Ice Theatre of New York performs there regularly during the season. This being an Olympic year, I would expect there to be more focus on the rink during "Today"

TimDavid might still be the skating director at the Lasker Rink in Central Park. I've never been there, but they tell me it's nice. (Sorry, couldn't resist the song lyric.)

HelenC skates at the Wollman Rink in Central Park, which is gorgeous and not too far from the Museum of Natural History.

Near the main Library on 42nd street is Bryant Park, which has seasonal outdoor skating for free. I don't think they cut the ice that often, so it's probably not very good for "real" skating.

There's always Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, which is a bit pricey but has good ice. (Indoor, year-round)

[Skittl1321]

Thanks all for the advice! I will relay it back to my father and see what kind of skating he wants to do, and how much line-standing he is interested in!

I'll probably bring my skates if I'm going to be checking a bag anyway... my Uncle has a parking space in Midtown, so in the past we've just chucked bags back into his car. I'm not sure we'll do much sightseeing, as we've done much of it before. We usually shop in New Jersey not New York, so I think going into the city would just be for skating and food. This will be after new years, but only just barely.

The Wollman rink sounds like it might be a better choice than Rockefeller...

If I decide to skate for myself, it sounds like Sky Rink or the Ice House will be the best choices, so I will check out sessions. I have a cousin who skates "for real", so maybe she'd want to drop in with me too. It looks like Sky Rink is 10 miles away from one of the houses I might stay at and Ice House within walking distances (good to know for possible summer camp!). But like I said, until I get there and assigned someone's house to stay at, I don't know where I'll be!

[RoaringSkates]

The Wollman rink sounds like it might be a better choice than Rockefeller...

If I decide to skate for myself, it sounds like Sky Rink or the Ice House will be the best choices, so I will check out sessions. I have a cousin who skates "for real", so maybe she'd want to drop in with me too. It looks like Sky Rink is 10 miles away from one of the houses I might stay at and Ice House within walking distances (good to know for possible summer camp!). But like I said, until I get there and assigned someone's house to stay at, I don't know where I'll be!

Wollman is a better choice for actual skating, but Rockefeller Center is iconic. Go there early, on a weekday mid week - like a Tuesday - and it will be less crowded. It's worth it, just for the experience.

Wollman is beautiful, but Rockefeller is tv-star.

For real skating, go to Hackensack rather than Chelsea Piers/Sky Rink, if you can make that choice. Hackensack is usually less crowded, and it's cheaper, there's less traffic, and for me, it's easier to get to (so long as you have a car or, as you mentioned, are in walking distance).

One very cool thing about Hackensack is that if you go there during a weekday, for a public session or a freestyle, you may see the elites either in the rink or practicing on one of the other surfaces. I've walked in over the years and, at various times, seen Daisuke Takahashi, Pang and Tong, John Zimmerman, Miki Ando, Peter Tchernyshev, Fumie Suguri, Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov... not that these guys all skate at the rink right now. I'm just giving you an idea of the star power.

[jazzpants]

TimDavid might still be the skating director at the Lasker Rink in Central Park. I've never been there, but they tell me it's nice. (Sorry, couldn't resist the song lyric.)He still is.... I just saw some sort of posting from him looking for skating coaches at Lasker Rink (which is NOT the nice pretty picture one you see on TV and Hallmark cards. I think that one is still Trump Central Park? :?? )


Warning: It's FREEZING around the holidays in Manhattan/NYC area!!! Dress warmly!!! http://www.cosgan.de/images/midi/verschiedene/r020.gif (Then again you're from Iowa and that's MUCH colder than NYC!!! I'm in "sunny California" and it doesn't take much to freeze my butt off! :P )

[TimDavidSkate]

Hello all

I'm still the skating director at the Lasker Skating rink up in Central Park North 110th Street. Let me know when you come down. I'll hold your stuff for you guys so you dont need to pay for a locker :halo: (you take the 2 or the 3 up to 110th St. CPNorth) How many of you are coming?

At Roselle, NJ ~ Warinanco Skating rink
I think the best well kept outdoor ice in the tri-state area. (Biased - bc its where I started to learn to skate) http://www.ucnj.org/parks/iceskating.html
Best time I think to come for a family session is on Saturdays 10:30am to 12:30pm. There are some freestyle skaters and some ice dancers.

Feel free to contact me via email or phone ~ just follow my One Step Closer website http://www.onestepclosernyc.org/ and you'll see my phone listed there

Hope to see you guys at my rink