Glide, Spin, Jump: Get the Edge on Ice Skating in Metro Detroit

The 2019 Geico U.S. Figure Skating Championships — the country’s most important figure skating event—returns to Detroit from Jan. 19-27. Coupled with the U.S.A. Women’s Hockey vs. Canada series Feb. 12-17, there’s sure to be an uptick in ice skating interest this winter in The D. It’s a fun family activity or date night and, since you’ll burn an average of 250 to 330 calories in just 30 minutes, it’s a killer workout too. Luckily, there’s no shortage of places to lace up your skates and go for a glide in metro Detroit.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by U.S. Figure Skating (@usfigureskating) on Jan 16, 2019 at 7:29am PST

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Detroit

You can’t match the feeling of open-air skating surrounded by the city lights of Campus Martius Park, in the heart of downtown Detroit. (In fact, it’s one of the most Instagrammed spots in the city.) The ice skating rink in Campus Martius Park is great for a date night, family outing or night out with friends. The new Dodge Park Ice Rink in Sterling Heights, under the Farmers Market pavilion, debuted this winter to rave reviews and City Square Ice Rink in Warren is always a crowd favorite.

Detroit Winter Festivals

Embrace the cold weather and head out to one of the local events that include ice skating this winter. The first ever Frost Fest, Jan. 26-27 at The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township, will celebrate the season with a free indoor ice rink, ice carving and inflatable slide. Quicken Loans Winter Blast, weekends Jan. 25-Feb. 17, features ice skating, professional skating demonstrations, ice sculptures, zip lining, giant slides and more than 50 live music acts. And at the Aqua Freeze Festival in St. Clair Shores Feb. 16-17, Lake St. Clair’s Nautical Mile comes alive with ice skating, carriage rides, snow hills and a Polar Plunge for the most daring.

Learn to Ice Skate

Don’t let inexperience keep you from joining in the fun! Local indoor ice rinks with Open Skate and Learn to Skate classes include Detroit Skating Club, Suburban Ice Macomb, Onyx Rochester, Troy Sports Center, John Lindell Ice Arena Royal Oak, Birmingham Ice Arena, Mt. Clemens Ice Arena or Fraser Hockeyland. You’re never too old to give it a try.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Visit Detroit (@visitdetroit) on Dec 6, 2018 at 7:25am PST

The Main Event

Taking your own lap around the rink will give you an even greater appreciation for the artistry of the pros. Experience the beauty of a live figure skating competition when elite American figure skaters compete for the crown of U.S. champion in the ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dance disciplines at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Little Caesar’s Arena. Tickets are on sale now.