Ice Skating

[winston89]

Posted: 12/25/11 at 3:38pm

So, learning how to ice skate has been something that I have put on the back burner for a number of years for no good reason. With that being said, I was wondering if anyone knew of a good way here in NYC to go about learning how to ice skate? Is there one rink I should go to over another? Or, is there also one that I should avoid?

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 12/26/11 at 10:33pm

I would choose a rink that isn't busy (anything AFTER New Years will be a huge improvement). I would say that the Bryant Park rink would be a good one because of the tall walls surrounding the rinks. Those are great steadying tools so that you can get your footing, and the fact that this rink is free (skate rental isn't). Other than that my only other advice is that as soon as you fall take your hands off the ice to protect them from stray blades. Unsolicited advice, but felt the need to share it anyway!

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/27/11 at 12:41am

I would recommend Ski Rink at Chelsea Piers. It is off the tourist path and they offer adult skating lessons.

[cturtle]

Posted: 12/27/11 at 7:28am

isn't it SKY RINK? went there once just to look. very nice facility. some notable pros. have aN ICE day!

[LaurenB]

Posted: 12/27/11 at 8:14am

I think it's on 34th St, between 9th and 10th Ave., on the 10th floor.

I wasn't aware that it was still open. I used to skate there eons ago, and yes, they used to have very nice adult lessons. Every once in a while the pros/champions would be there practicing, and sometimes an instructor would ask them to demonstrate a jump or spin for us. It was a great place to take lessons, because they were held at a time when the general public wasn't allowed.

Edited to say: winston89, when I took lessons there as an adult, they were held around noon. I'm sure they have a broader schedule, but the noon hour worked for me. Anyhow, they used to have a coffeeshop there where you could get a snack. So if you are curious, go visit and have a nice cup of hot coffee and you can watch.

The instructors at the time were very nice. I went through a bunch of them, LOL, going through both group lessons, then private lessons, and also workshops.

To my surprise, I ended up loving ice dancing, where you go through the set patterns with a partner. The problem is finding a partner at a similar level. Had I stayed in the city, I probably would have ended up joining the skating club just so I could find partners. It's a gas, because the dance patterns are universal, so once you learn them, you can skate with any partner throughout the world. And the basic dance patterns are easy enough --- not for a beginner, of course, but for someone who has taken lessons for several months.

I hope you have as much fun as I did. If I were in the city, I would meet you at the rink! Updated On: 12/27/11 at 08:14 AM

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/27/11 at 11:52am

Yes, it is Sky Rink.... t'was a typo: Here is the information :

Chelsea Piers - Pier 61
23rd St. & the Hudson River
New York, NY 10011
212.336.6100
f: 212.336.6160

SNL has shot remotes over there during the years

[LaurenB]

Posted: 12/27/11 at 1:11pm

Oh my, it has been a long time. When I skated at the original Sky Rink, it was on 34th St., on the 10th floor --- hence the name. It was on the top of the building. I guess they moved but kept the name.

winston89 - I never attended a general session. Only the lesson sessions, which were closed to the public general sessions, and then what they call the freestyle sessions. Those sessions were reserved for private lessons, etc. So I never had to contend with crowds. I don't think I would do very well in a crowd on ice, LOL.

Those freestyle sessions are fabulous if you want to practice, because they are not that crowded (or weren't in my day). So for me it was worth it to sign up for some private lessons and then practice in relative peace.

[winston89]

Posted: 12/27/11 at 1:18pm

I think that I am going to look into Sky Rink. I feel that it would be a good fit for me because it's a rink that is more for locals than tourists. The benefit of that is that the prices for lessons etc seem cheaper compared to any of the more well known rinks in the city. Furthermore, from what I have been able to gather, with it being an indoor rink it is available year round rather than the outdoor seasonal ones. I think that I would like that better because this is something that I could work on longer than just the winter.

[p.s.]

Posted: 12/28/11 at 3:13pm

p.s. I guess Iceland, up 50th Street from the old Garden, isn't around anymore.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/29/11 at 5:16pm

ooooh, have fun! Ice skating is really fun..........I'm not that great at it, but I still enjoy it. My son just started skating in August and he's playing hockey already. Kids always learn things so easily.