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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

’Tis the season to hit the ice

The Ice Palace at Riverfront Park is one of several ice rinks in the area offering winter exercise with no snow required. (File)
Our Weekly Pick For Families

The kids are home from school.

The in-town sledding hills are lacking the key ingredient. But there are places where the conditions are always right for winter fun: area ice rinks.

The Riverfront Park Ice Palace is located under the Pavilion.

“It is ranked in the top 10 outside rinks in the country,” said Sam Song, Riverfront Park manager.

The rink is open daily during the holidays, and the park has some other entertainment options, too.

Through Sunday, the holiday film festival is showing at the IMAX Theatre, though the films aren’t in the IMAX format. “Arthur Christmas” screens at 11 a.m., Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” at 1 p.m., “Elf” at 3 and “Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 5. Admission is free with a canned food donation to Second Harvest Food Bank.

The park’s holiday special bundles admission to the SkyRide, Looff Carrousel and a round of mini-golf, with ice skating and skate rental, for $12. That deal is available through Jan. 5.

For those who like a hint of warmth with their ice, indoor rinks might be the way to go.

Eastern Washington University’s Jamie Gwinn promises air temperatures in the 60s at the school’s rink in Cheney.

“It’s a very warm arena with excellent ice conditions,” he said.

At Eagles Ice-A-Rena, there’s a warm viewing lobby overlooking one of the rinks, manager Eric Bonanno said.

And at Coeur d’Alene’s Frontier Ice Arena, “it’s a great family environment,” said manager Vince Hughes.

For those who don’t know how to skate – or would like to get better – classes start at Riverfront Park, Eagles and Frontier in early January. EWU offers classes as well; call the rink to let them know you’re interested.

Skating hours and prices vary; check with the rinks to learn more.

Kimberly Lusk

Riverfront Park Ice Palace: 507 N. Howard St., Spokane; www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com; (509) 625-6601.

Eagles Ice-A-Rena: 6321 N. Addison St., Spokane; eaglesicearena.com; (509) 489-9295.

EWU Ice Arena: 1007 W. Elm St., Cheney; www.ewu.edu/urc; (509) 359-4026.

Frontier Ice Arena: 3525 W. Seltice Ave., Coeur d’Alene; www.frontiericearena.org; (208) 765-4423.