By Nicole Gaboury, Greensboro Ice House Figure Skating Director and Master Rated Coach

We all know the song made famous by Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Music” and many of us love to sing along to those whimsical lyrics because they’re so reminiscent of holidays gone by. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…”

The Greensboro Ice House offers countless opportunities to create memories that will live in our kids’ hearts for years to come.

Nothing rings in the season like a family ice skating trip! What fun to pull out the “warm woolen mittens,” lace up your skates and feel the chilly air on your cheeks as you glide across the ice! With daily public skating sessions and extended weekend hours at both the year-round, indoor rink and the seasonal, outdoor rink, your family will enjoy this festive and fun outing. Although we are not sure if skaters will wear “blue satin sashes” or “snowflakes that stay on your nose and eyelashes” we are certain skate rental is available at both locations.

Our team of professional coaches shares their passion for figure and hockey skating within the Learn to Skate program, which is designed to teach skating fundamentals to kids starting at four years old through adults of any age! A special 3-class Intro to Skating will be offered December 6th, 13th and 20th for just $30 with a full semester (8 classes) beginning January 6th. We can’t wait to wiggle, swizzle, glide, edge, turn, stop, jump and spin with you! Gift certificates are available for all of our services and programming, which can be wrapped up in “brown paper packages tied up with string!”

Coaches also offer private figure skating lessons, if you’re looking for individualized attention, a fast track to skill acquisition and/or opportunities to compete. Our staff of highly credentialed instructors has developed skaters from their first steps on the ice to regional champions, sectional and junior national competitors! Local skaters will be showcasing their talent during our holiday ice skating show “A Merry Motown,” which will take place at the Greensboro Ice House on Sunday, December 7th from 5-8pm. Admission is just $3 with a canned food item. Skaters will also join forces with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra during the Old Dominion / Fox 8 Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 14th at the Greensboro Coliseum. This community event is an annual holiday tradition and admission is free with a canned food item as part of the Salvation Army’s food drive.

Snowflakes and sleigh bells abound in our popular Frozen birthday party package which feature optional appearances by Queen Elsa! With private party rooms that patrons may decorate and personalize to their prince or princesses liking, along with hosts catering to your guests’ every need, an ice skating party will be at the top of everyone’s list of favorite things! There are party packages to fit every budget with a shared focus on ensuring that the birthday child and their guests have a super cool time skating and celebrating!

With the US Figure Skating Championships coming to Greensboro in January of 2015, the excitement and buzz of this premier national event will inspire many to take up this beautiful, life-long sport. There’s no better way to get started than to enjoy a public skating session, take a class or host a birthday party at the Greensboro Ice House…your neighborhood ice skating rink! “Just one of my favorite things.”

Sponsored by Greensboro Ice House