Queenstown Ice Arena
If you’re visiting New Zealand’s world-renowned adventure capital, you’re likely on the lookout for awesome Queenstown activities to fill your days. There are countless reasons why Queenstown is the perfect Southern Hemisphere town for you to dive into during the snowy months, and many of those reasons involve ice. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there is another great Queenstown winter-appreciating activity: indoor ice skating! During rainy or blustery days when it’s too risky to hit the real slopes – or better yet, for weekends when you just want a fun night out on the ice – head to the Queenstown Ice Arena for hours of skating fun.
Keytag Bonus: Present your Omega keytag and skate for $17pp including skate hire & helmet, during public sessions (not available in conjunction with any other offer, T&Cs apply as below)
Ice skating has been a winter tradition in town ever since Queenstown was settled. In 1966, locals were given another great place to skate beyond frozen lakes, when the Queenstown Ice Arena welcomed its very first visitors. Since then, thousands of national and international tourists have flocked to Queenstown Ice Arena when autumn and winter roll around. With so many fun activities to get involved in on the ice, the popularity of the rink is no surprise!
A dozen young ice hockey players pose on the ice for a photo – Image Credit: Queenstown Ice Arena Facebook Page
The world-class Queenstown Ice Arena is a convenient 5-minute walk from the town centre, situated amidst the gorgeous Queenstown Gardens: so, if you’re already intent on touring the picturesque botanical grounds, you can easily visit the rink for a glide along the smooth ice. With the arena open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm, as well as for night sessions on Friday and Saturday, you can afford to be spontaneous about when you choose to put your blades on!
Whether it’s your first time taking to the ice, or you’re a highly experienced figure skater, the well-maintained and spacious interior of the rink will impress. One of the most striking things about Queenstown Ice Arena is its state-of-the-art LED lighting system, which must be seen to be believed. And don’t worry about keeping your own energy up, as the Arena’s café and bar serve all the delicious drinks and snacks a skater needs after a vigorous turn on the ice.
A figure skater glides across the Queenstown Ice Arena with onlookers in the background – Image Credit: Queenstown Ice Arena Facebook Page
Perfectly suited for any type of visit from family days out to romantic dates, the rink is open every day from April to October, rain or shine. If the adults in a group want some downtime to shop or go wine sampling around town, the arena is a safe place to drop off kids for a morning or afternoon of fun. That said, Queenstown Ice Arena is a true family attraction. Leave the phones off the rink, lace your skates, and have a friendly competition with the kids on the ice. Who’ll win, parents or the kids?!
If you’re after some lessons to get yourself or your loved ones skating-savvy, you’ve come to the right place. Queenstown Ice holds lessons every day, and the arena’s friendly and professional teachers will get even the most tentative of skaters onto the ice-floor. Plus, the Arena regularly hosts events such as local and international ice hockey games and skating competitions, so remember to check the calendar for the exciting things happening during your holiday.
Two ice hockey players speed across the ice, jostling for the puck – Image Credit: Queenstown Ice Arena Facebook Page
Regarding prices, your ice-skating trip to the rink will surely be one of your most economical days out. The arena offers truly reasonable rates for individual adults, children, and groups – not to mention great deals on membership passes if you’re planning to stick around longer.
Couple enjoying a leisurely skate – Image Credit: Queenstown Ice Arena Facebook Page
Easy travel is at your fingertips when you rent a vehicle with Omega Rental Cars Queenstown, which is only a six-minute drive from the epic Queenstown Ice Arena and extremely close to other excellent Queenstown attractions like Hydro Attack and Game Over Queenstown. So, what are you waiting for? Put Queenstown Ice Arena at the top of your list of things to do in Queenstown and experience the wonder of gliding across the ice.
Keytag Bonus: Present your Omega keytag and skate for $17pp including skate hire & helmet, during public sessions (not available in conjunction with any other offer, T&Cs apply as below)
Price includes admission and skate hire. No refunds. Helmets are included and suggested. Once skates are returned, your session is complete. Purchase price does not include skating aids, which are to be hired separately and are subject to availability. All persons in the arena, whether spectating or skating, do so at their own risk. Misconduct may result in the revocation of your admission with no refund. Any such decision will be at the sole discretion of Queenstown Ice Arena Management. The meaning of “Misconduct” includes reckless, dangerous or anti-social behaviour.