We might not be able to go skiing, sledding or have snowball fights on the Central Coast this winter but you can go ice skating in Goleta.
The Ice in Paradise skating rink is open year-round for public skating sessions, skating school lessons and hockey matches.
General manager Larry Bruyere says the holiday season is a great time to go ice skating.
“If you’ve never skated before, why not try? We have the rail around the outside to hold you up. For the little kids, we have walkers as well as buckets to hold them up and there’s nothing like gliding out on the ice once you’ve gotten the knack of it,” Bruyere said.
As the mercury drops, Bruyere says the rink sees an uptick in visitors on the ice.
“We are busier during the holiday season,” he said.
If you would rather just watch, Ice in Paradise skaters will perform their Holiday Show this Saturday. It’s the Central Coast’s only ice skating performance. Click here for tickets to the Holiday Show.
“The show is for the family because you get to see all levels of skating from almost virtual beginners to professional skaters,” Bruyere said.
On Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, the rink is open to the public to skate. Plus, they turn on Christmas music and holiday lights.
Bruyere has a little advice for first-time skaters.
“The tip I always give people is to bend their knees and keep their head up.”
The rink is open to everyone from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on weekends. It costs about $15 to skate and rent skates.
