Gliding to winter fun: Ice skating in the LCR

The Lake Champlain Region is surrounded by rich tradition, weaving together the boundless opportunities of its natural landscape, and the timeless wintry fun cultivated from its loving communities in the Adirondacks. The charming towns that make up the stretch of land around Lake Champlain have adapted to embrace winter fun and tradition, season after season. If you’ve breezed through any one of these little towns, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of their ice skating rinks. Coming in all shapes and sizes, nearly every town comes equipped with a community rink, perfect for practicing your spins, a game of hockey, or moving like a new-born fawn on ice. The perfect winter tradition is framed by classic Adirondack towns oozing with charm, cozy restaurants, and natural beauty, making for a perfect winter day. 

Ticonderoga Bicentennial Park – Ticonderoga Ice Skating Rink

Featuring the beautiful Bicentennial Falls, Ticonderoga's Bicentennial Park offers multiple avenues for winter fun, but perhaps its key feature is the community ice rink, prepped every season for skaters from all over to come and enjoy. The rink is flooded every winter by the Alexander family, who make sure the surface is flat and ready for skaters to come and glide. Lined with stones, this lowkey rink offers endless winter fun for all ages. With incoming funds being raised for the rink, the future looks bright in Ticonderoga for accessible ice skating for all during these cold dark months. 

Westport Ballard Park - Lyn Rothwell Skating Rink and Warming Hut 

Perched on the shores of a grand lake, this rink offers incredible panoramic views of the massive Lake Champlain, and prime skating on a level surface. Supported by a group of volunteers, the rink is tended to season after season, including its flooding, snow removal, and maintenance of the warming hut! A community tradition, this ice skating rink is the perfect stop on your ice skating tour of the LCR. Rest in the warming hut between turns on the ice, or gear up for a race down the sledding hill. 

Elizabethtown Noble Terrace

Noble Terrace Ice Skating Rink located in Elizabethtown offers a special skating experience for every type of skater to enjoy. This rink is huge, with a wide surface so that everyone on the ice has space to spread out. Figure skaters can twirl and glide on one side, while a hockey game heats up on the other! And for casual skaters, get your laps in on the side. 

Stay warm with some local goodies

After a day on the ice, the region ensures that you’ll be able to relax with some good food in the Adirondack countryside. In Westport, Dogwood Bread Company resides in a charming New England-style cafe, offering something to warm your mitts while you look out at the frosty landscape. Try their wood-fired breads, artisan pizzas, or choose from soups, sandwiches, and coffee. The Pink Pig Cafe in Essex, part of the Pink Pig Boutique, offers a daily breakfast and lunch menu featuring local produce and delicious flavors. Indulge in their coffee specialty bar, or try any one of their delectable pastries to go along with your cup.

Keep calm and skate on!

When you're not sure how to spend those perfect snowy days in the Lake Champlain Region, turn your skates to the rinks of our charming towns and parks. With free admission and plenty of space to get lost in the natural beauty of the region, come spend a day on the ice!