Can someone tell me (Colorado Springs)

[HazyRigby]

Does anyone know offhand which skaters train in Colorado Springs? Also, what is the protocol for watching practices? Does it differ from rink to rink, or what?

I'd appreciate any information. Thanks. :)

[Louis]

AP McDonough, Ryan Jahnke, and Ryan Bradley are probably the three biggest names at the Broadmoor, but you'll find plenty of other national-level skaters training there. (The elite sessions are quite crowded!) Practices are technically open, but someone may question you as to what you're doing there. As long as you mention that you're an out-of-town fan who popped over to see some skating for the day, everything will usually be OK. During 2000 and 2001 Skate America, the Broadmoor rinks had no problems with "Skate America people" walking next door to watch their practices.

[HazyRigby]

Thanks, Louis! I'm going to be moving to Colorado, so I'm looking forward to that.... :)

Is one allowed to just walk in the door and go watch practices? Do you have to pay or check in or something?

And is this the World Arena we're talking about, or is there another rink close by?

[Inside Edge]

I was in Colorado Springs in March and I just walked into the practice facility. No one asked any questions or seemed to care that I was there. I took a seat on the bleachers and quitely watched. I had no idea when any particular skaters would be there. My timing was good in that AP was in a practice session. I also saw her mom who I recognized from TV. After she was done with her session, I had the opportunity to watch pairs. This was my first experience at going to an elite training center. The practice rinks are in a red brick building behind the World Arena.

While in Colorado Springs I would also check out the USFSA museum. They are not always open, so I would suggest calling ahead.

Another suggestion would be the Broadmore hotel. If you go to the building of the hotel that is behind the lake and walk through the halls, you will find several figure skating displays. There is also a display of pictures of famous people who have been in the hotel. Many skaters are featured.

[HazyRigby]

Thanks, Inside Edge! I went to the Hall Of Fame when I was in Colorado Springs about three weeks ago--and I was privy to a very petty and malicious conversation that was going on between two skating moms. And I don't mean to make it sound as if I was eavesdropping--they were speaking *very* loudly and standing right in front of the Michelle Kwan/Dick Button display! Did they not care if people overheard? Not to mention the fact that their daughters looked to be about nine or so--waaaaaaaaay too young to even be remotely in competition with the girl about whom they were gossiping. Anyway, sorry to vent, but it was my first encounter with that kind of attitude! :)

So....now, the question is...how do you find out when the different people practice? Is it something that is publicized?

Also, does anyone know anything about how the facilities in Lake Arrowhead are run regarding the topic of this thread? You'd think, living about an hour from there right now, that I would have been to see it, but I haven't. :)

[Louis]

The practices schedules for the Broadmoor rinks are posted in the hallway between the two rinks. I forget whether they call it "elite ice" or "novice to senior ice," but there's usually one elite session in the morning and at least one in the afternoon. (I seem to recall something like 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. elite sessions from when I visited during Skate America.) No names are listed on the schedule, but most of the big names skate on these sessions.

I've never been to Lake Arrowhead, but I believe that the facility is completely closed to the public unless special permission is given by a skater.

[adrianchew]

[quote:2521a69d0e="Louis"]I've never been to Lake Arrowhead, but I believe that the facility is completely closed to the public unless special permission is given by a skater.[/quote:2521a69d0e]

I've been up there once way back in 1995 - did go to the front office and they did let me go up to see the rink, but I didn't really stay - zamboni out on ice and a few skaters warming up. Its a pretty rink - lots of light and very "open" feel to it from what I remember. Of course - it had to be foggy and dreary when I drove up there! :roll:

Note - this was way back in 1995 - I'd call up ahead if you were planning to visit and ask first.

[Leanne]

It depends on the rink. Lake Arrowhead and the Detroit Skating Club are private facilities and closed to the public, so you must know someone who will allow you to visit. Some rinks are public, however, and others even if private still permit visitors without special permission. You can walk in and watch at rinks such as the UDel, the Broadmoor, ISCC, SCOB, and Hackensack. It's best to call ahead if you're thinking of visiting any rink to be certain and also to inquire about elite ice times so you don't miss the skaters you want to see. Warning: some rinks won't give out ice times even if you are allowed to come, to protect privacy to some extent.

It's also always good practice regardless of where you are, to keep a low profile and never disturb any skaters pre- or post- sessions, especially if they are stretching or prepping. Also, it's not very nice to post publically on the Internet about anything you see there. Skaters have good and bad days at "work" just like all of us and many don't like seeing a report about their bad days on the Internet. Many elites skaters are also protective of their music choices prior to any official public debut of the program so if you hear music this time of year, keep it to yourself unless you know it's already been announced. If you must "share" to be satisfied, keep it to a few email buddies you can trust not to post anywhere. Remember that you are visiting their "home" where skaters are not typically used to accomodating fans and are not often on their "best" behavior. Never be offended by the behavior of a skater in their home rink; being accomodating to a fan is the last thing on their mind during a normal training day at home, especially if they've just had a tough day on the ice.

[HazyRigby]

Thanks for all of the replies! Boy, I'm sure learning a lot!

[manleywoman]

[quote:f67b5ebbf3="Leanne"]Warning: some rinks won't give out ice times even if you are allowed to come, to protect privacy to some extent. [/quote:f67b5ebbf3]

This happened to me recently when i had a legitimate reason to be at the rink:

I was taking a MIF test at UDel, and called ahead about 2 weeks before my test to find out what ice times were available so I could go up and skate on the ice and get used to the rink before my test (I'd never been there). I was told that afternoon times were available on the Rust Arena but nothing was available on Gold Arena. I much preferred morning ice but was okay with doing the afternoon ice.

So guess what! I get up there and find out there WAS morning ice available on BOTH rinks but I was told otherwise because they were protecting someone's privacy, and they thought I wasn't seriously going to practice!

(But it all worked out okay though...the rink I practiced on was the one I took the test on, and I passed!) :D

[adrianchew]

[i:c8a8717527]While we're on the subject - just in the interest of skater privacy - if someone asks for exact practice times a certain skater is out on the ice, please don't post it here. If you know times and think that person is trustworthy enough - send them a private PM instead.

Thanks. ~adrianchew~[/i:c8a8717527]

[Mazurka Girl]

[quote:9745212f3e="Leanne"]Remember that you are visiting their "home" where skaters are not typically used to accomodating fans and are not often on their "best" behavior. Never be offended by the behavior of a skater in their home rink; being accomodating to a fan is the last thing on their mind during a normal training day at home, especially if they've just had a tough day on the ice.[/quote:9745212f3e]
There are so many good suggestions here, but I have to respectfully disagree with this one (or at least split it into two separate ideas). As a skater, I'm offended when I see badly behaved skaters with attitude & sportsmanship problems. When I watch skaters hollering ("get the *bleep* out of my way you stupid *bleep*"), stomping feet, or any of the other myriad brat behavior that can be found in almost any rink, I always think it's a reflection of the prima donnas who can't seem to conduct themselves in a civil manner. No matter how many excellent skaters there are at a rink, a couple like this can always be found. Having a bad day is no excuse to subject others to their lousy behavior, & the rest of us did not come to the rink to experience their tantrums, bad attitudes, screaming & swearing fits, public coach firings, etc. Sometimes these skaters need to go find a locker room & give everyone a break.

So "never be offended by the behavior of a skater in their home rink" is a way too tolerant view for me, considering some of the bad conduct I have seen go on. OTOH, the point that skaters should be able to mind their own business during practice, not have their privacy disturbed, & not have to perform on demand (on or off the ice) for unscheduled visitors is certainly a very valid one, but I see these as two separate issues.

[what?meworry?]

Remember that you are visiting their "home" where skaters are not typically used to accomodating fans and are not often on their "best" behavior. Never be offended by the behavior of a skater in their home rink; being accomodating to a fan is the last thing on their mind during a normal training day at home, especially if they've just had a tough day on the ice.
There are so many good suggestions here, but I have to respectfully disagree with this one (or at least split it into two separate ideas). As a skater, I'm offended when I see badly behaved skaters with attitude & sportsmanship problems. When I watch skaters hollering ("get the *bleep* out of my way you stupid *bleep*"), stomping feet, or any of the other myriad brat behavior that can be found in almost any rink, I always think it's a reflection of the prima donnas who can't seem to conduct themselves in a civil manner. No matter how many excellent skaters there are at a rink, a couple like this can always be found. Having a bad day is no excuse to subject others to their lousy behavior, & the rest of us did not come to the rink to experience their tantrums, bad attitudes, screaming & swearing fits, public coach firings, etc. Sometimes these skaters need to go find a locker room & give everyone a break.

So "never be offended by the behavior of a skater in their home rink" is a way too tolerant view for me, considering some of the bad conduct I have seen go on. OTOH, the point that skaters should be able to mind their own business during practice, not have their privacy disturbed, & not have to perform on demand (on or off the ice) for unscheduled visitors is certainly a very valid one, but I see these as two separate issues.

Oh i sooo agree with you. particularly with the teams, if you can't choose a proper attitude when you enter the rink to work...and this is like a job... you will self-distruct sooner or later. attitude is a choice. you wake up in the morning and decide how you will deal with your tasks of the day.

and let it be known, many teams have been "dumped" because of improper behaviour on the part of one team member or another on official practices. i cite historic deleware teams (they have since cleaned up their act) and a promising young, very tall couple, when the boy stomped away from his partner in a huff in front of a pack of judges in the stands observing a practice. so very, very, sad for the partners.

be very advised that behavior at ALL times counts!

[AlSk8s]

[quote:a8870e1839="what?meworry?"] and a promising young, very tall couple, when the boy stomped away from his partner in a huff in front of a pack of judges in the stands observing a practice. so very, very, sad for the partners. be very advised that behavior at ALL times counts![/quote:a8870e1839]

:roll: First Ben and now Nick......gosh I wonder who's parent you are.

[what?meworry?]

i am one of many followers of teams in the stands. one would have to be blind not to notice negative behaviors, and deaf not to hear the official conversations regarding the effect. you have no idea who i'm referencing unless you also were there and saw the very same things from the deleware teams, etc. there has been no reference to ben. in all the nationals i've attended, he has never behaved badly on the ice. in fact, he is one of the few most "gentlemanly" partners known both at competitions and at dsc practices.