During the winter, you might start getting cabin fever from staying cooped up inside while avoiding the cold weather when you can. However, the chillier months can offer some fun activities to get you out of the house for some fun. Ice skating with friends or family members is a great way to get your body moving in the winter while making fun memories.
Our team at Ciocca Honda of Hanover has compiled a list of the best places to ice skate in Hanover, Pennsylvania, this winter.
View More BlogsCodorus State Park
Annual ice skating at Codorus State Park is a must this winter. There's ice skating in Chapel Cove, about 10 acres, when the park has signs indicating its safe conditions. The park doesn't allow individuals to skate at Chapel Cove without the signs up because the ice isn't secure enough. This activity is suitable for everyone, regardless of their level of expertise.
During safe skating conditions, the park extends the skating time to 7:30 p.m. Using the site's winter report, determine if the ice skating rink is open on a particular day based on the park's ice and snow depth. This way, you can plan for a backup ice skating rink if this one is unavailable for the day. This park requires that you bring your own skates.
Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset.
Address: 2600 Smith Station Road, Hanover
York Ice Arena
If you're looking to bypass the cold weather but still go ice skating, check out York Ice Arena. This indoor ice skating rink is inside York Memorial Park Complex, about a 30-minute drive to York, Pennsylvania. Admission is free and gives you complete access to the ice skating area. However, if you need to rent skates, prices may vary based on age and the time you're coming to skate at the arena.
Additionally, if you want to explore a new hobby this winter, consider taking ice skating lessons at the center to improve your skills. And, if you have toddlers, you can enroll them in a class where you can skate alongside them as they learn how to skate.
Be sure to check the rink's event calendar to see if holidays or special events are causing the public skating hours to change briefly.
Here are the public skating hours:
- Weekday afternoons: Monday and Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Weekday evenings: Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Weekend afternoons: Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Address: 941 Vander Ave., York
Gifford Pinchot State Park
Take a 40-minute drive to Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, and visit Gifford Pinchot State Park for outdoor ice skating. You can skate on the park's natural waters, but be sure to skate with the proper precautions because the state park doesn't monitor the ice's thickness to determine if it's safe for people to skate. When you come to the park for skating, test the ice's thickness with an auger. The ideal ice thickness for skating is about 4 inches for a single person. If you're skating with a small group, the ice is most safe when it's 7 inches.
Some other ice skating safety tips to practice at the state park are making sure you spread out among the ice if there are several other parties there. This helps not to place too much pressure on one area on the ice. It's also vital to know that the ice thickness can shift throughout the water. For example, the perimeter can be weaker than further into the area. Additionally, bring an ice skating buddy with you and wear a life jacket for safety.
Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Address: 2200 Rosstown Road, Lewisberry
The Reisterstown Sportsplex
Visit The Reisterstown Sportsplex for indoor ice skating in Reisterstown, Maryland, about a 40-minute drive. Admission to skate is $10, skate rental is $5, and if you want to sharpen your skates, it's $6. There's also a game room at this ice rink to enjoy when you need a break from skating. The sports complex has rules you must follow for a safe skating environment. The policies include:
- No hockey sticks on the ice.
- Only two people can skate together.
- No jumps or spins.
- Only wear ice skates on the ice.
- No wearing headphones.
- Only people with wristbands can enter the game room.
- No food or drink on the ice.
Public skating hours: Varies based on the month. Use the rink's website for the full schedule.
Address: 401 Mitchell Dr. Reisterstown, Maryland
Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Pine Grove Furnace State Park is about a 37-minute drive to Gardners, Pennsylvania, and it has ice skating at Laurel Lake. It's crucial to measure the ice thickness at this state park because the staff doesn't measure it. Additionally, you're prohibited from skating or completing other ice activities on Fuller Lake. You can use the state park's website to review the snow and ice report to determine if there's adequate ice to use before making the trip.
If you're planning on ice skating at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, bring your own ice skates and other ice safety equipment because the park doesn't provide rentals.
Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset
Address: 1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners
So, there you have it, our team's top choices for the best places to ice skate in Hanover, Pennsylvania. What do you think of our list? Did we miss one of your favorite spots to ice skate every year? Contact us, and tell us about it. Here at Ciocca Honda of Hanover, we care about our customer's opinions and where they like to have fun in our town.
Visit our dealership to speak with our expert team about preparing your vehicle for winter. Or you can browse our new and pre-owned inventory to find your next dream car. Getting you the perfect vehicle and a great deal is our goal. This way, you can drive off our lot with confidence.
Image by Taylor Friehl is licensed with Unsplash License
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