Mohawks, spirals and backward edges may not be in one’s book of moves.
Or maybe you’re the king of wicked slap shots.
Either way, strapping on skates, no matter one’s ability, could be a fun time for all.
Ready for a whirl or twirl?
Here’s a sampling of area rinks.
Indoor rinks are in Crestwood, Flossmoor, Oak Lawn and Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood, while Orland Park, New Lenox, Tinley Park, Frankfort and the forest preserves have outdoor rinks.
In the Forest Preserve District of Will County, ice skating is permitted at Crawdad Slough at 9999 S. Willow Springs Road and Buffalo Woods at 8418 S. Kean Ave. in Willow Springs, and Hidden Pond at 9499 S. Kean Ave. in Hickory Hills. Details at 800-870-3666 or
Skating hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, until 8 p.m. Sundays.
Skate rental is $5 per pair per week through Founders Center, 140 Oak St., with a $25 refundable deposit.
For weather-related updates, go to
Holiday hours vary to Jan. 5.
Public skating is regularly from 8:05 to 9:35 p.m. Fridays, 5:25 to 6:25 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sundays on the large rink and 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. Tuesdays on the studio rink.
Admission is $6 and skate rental is $4.
Rat hockey for ages 15 and up from 8 to 9 p.m. Sundays.
Registration for the adult hockey league begins Jan. 24. Men’s and women’s leagues are offered.
The Park District also offers a fall youth hockey league, figure skating lessons and specialty classes.
Details at 708-957-0100 or
Adult skate is from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. weekdays except Wednesdays for $3.
“Public skate is crazy busy over the holidays and throughout winter,” said Kathy Janik, the center’s skating coordinator. “We get a range of all abilities, from kids who skate elsewhere to families who want a fun winter outing or who want to try it before signing up for classes.”
Registration for skating lessons for kids and adults is available via
Other programs include rat hockey for different age divisions ($10) and Stick n’ Puck, with a focus on hockey skills, ($5).
Details are at 773-840-4622 or
The rink is open daily through Jan. 6 except Jan. 1 (closed) or when a red flag indicates skating is not safe.
Admission is free. Skate rental is $5.
Details at 815-485-3584 or
Open skate is from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursdays, 9 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays with a DJ ($9) and 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
Open skate also will be from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. Jan. 1 with additional holiday hours varying.
On Dec. 31, Kids Countdown will be from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with open skate from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m.
Admission is $7 admission. Skate rental is $3.
Skating lessons for ages 3 and up and open hockey for ages 16 and up also are offered.
A special event, Olympics Countdown Open Skate, will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21.
Details at 708-857-5173 or
Public skating is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays on the studio rink and from 9 to 10:15 p.m. Fridays on the NHL rink. Admission is $6. Skate rental is $3. A 10-punch discount card costs $50.
Skating lessons include Snowplow Sam for ages 3 to 5; basic for ages 6 to 12; intermediate for graduates of either class; and teens/adults.
Other programs include figure skating and specialty classes; hockey classes for ages 4 and up; rat hockey from 1 to 3 p.m. weekdays except Wednesdays; and a no-check adult hockey league.
Details at 708-371-1344 or
Details are at 708-342-4200 or
Hours for skate rental ($2) and the warming house are 4 to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Holiday hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 2 to 4; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 5.
Hockey is not allowed.
For up to date information on rink closure, call the hotline at 708-403-6290 or go to
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