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Guide To Pittsburgh's Indoor & Outdoor Skating Rinks

By Sally Turkovich

There's no doubt about it - when the weather turns cold one of the best winter pastimes is ice skating. Pittsburgh offers a myriad of fun options for skating. Finding an indoor ice skating rink is pretty simple but for those who love the way the crisp winter air feels as they glide across the ice, tracking down an outdoor rink can be a little harder. Whatever your preferred skating venue is, here is a guide to some of the best indoor and outdoor skating rinks in the 'Burgh.

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Cost: $4.00 adults, $3.00 senior citizens &ages 17 & under

The Schenley Park Skating Rink is a bit of a hidden gem that you can't see from the road, making you feel more like you skating out in the country instead of the middle of a city. Open daily throughout the winter, the Schenley Park Skating Rink is the only regulation-sized rink within city limits. The rink hosts several popular events throughout the season from "Skate with Santa" to a "Mascot Skate." And there are special sessions for adult only, family night and college student night skates during the week. Lessons for kids, skate rentals and even rental of the whole rink for private parties are all available.

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Cost: $5.00 adults, $3.00 senior citizens and youth 18 and younger

If you don't already know how to ice skate, the South Park Outdoor Ice Skating Rink is a great place to learn – and best of all, lessons are free! Located at the end of South Park's "main drag" on Corrigan Drive, the South Park rink features free learn to skate lessons for beginners ages 5 and up. Paid lessons are also available throughout the season; and specially priced family sessions are available on Wednesday evenings. Weather permitting, the South Park Ice Skating Rink is open to skaters all the way through mid-March. The rink is closed on Mondays as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

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Cost: $5.00 adults, $3.00 senior citizens and youth 18 and younger

Like South Park's skating rink, the North Park Ice Rink is also run by Allegheny County's Parks Department. Skating lessons are available at both rinks; and active volunteer firefighters and EMTs can skate for free at any time! Families can take advantage of a specially priced session on Wednesdays from 4:30pm until 7pm throughout the season.

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Cost: Adults, $7, Children & Seniors $6
Skate Rental $3

When it opens for the season, the 104-foot by 104-foot downtown ice skating rink features a 60-foot Christmas tree at its center. The rink traditionally opens when the city kicks off the holiday shopping season on Light Up Night (Friday, Nov. 18) and remains open through March – including all major holidays. Skaters can bring their own skates or rent a pair. Lunchtime passes are available for downtowners looking to blow off some steam during the workday while surrounded by PPG Place's unique mirrored buildings! Bonus? PPG Place is located right next to Market Square, home to some excellent restaurants that are ready to warm you back up with fabulous food after some laps around the rink!

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Cost & Hours: Varied

In existence since 2000, Ice Castle Ice Skating Rink is an indoor rink open to patrons year round. Unlike the outdoor rinks, Ice Castle offers ice hockey leagues and pick up hockey games in addition to the regular ice skating on its NHL-regulation sized rink. Ice Castle is a great place to visit if you're looking to hone your skating skills before you hit one of the more public outdoor rinks in the city.

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Cost & Hours: Varied

Like Ice Castle, the Airport Ice Arena (AIA) offers ice hockey in addition to ice skating and a year-round learn to skate program called AIA Flight School. Additionally, the Basic Skills Program that AIA offers is designed by the U.S. Figure Skating Association to teach skills to everyone from the newest of the skaters to skaters ready for competitive ice skating.

Sally Turkovich lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Jason and German Shepherd, Zeus. By day she works as an eyewear stylist for an independent eye doctor. By night, she writes a twice-weekly column for Twoday Magazine. Catch up with her there at twodaymag.com.

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