Out of doors ice skating returns for the Texas trip

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Humans have been gliding across frozen ponds and rivers for more than 4,000 years, but in Texas, most people can rarely skate outdoors on real ice. Your best chance is during the vacation, when ice rinks start popping up in cities across the state.

One such place is the Skating Rink in Fredericksburg. Parents of the Heritage School, a private Christian school, founded the ice rink in 2008 and have since turned the open-air children’s hall pavilion on the market square into a glittering, publicly accessible ice rink.

Josh Kramer, a fence builder and parent of one of the school’s students, leads a volunteer crew made up of other parents, school staff, and children who build a makeshift wall around the pavilion. Then coils placed on the concrete are pumped full of refrigerant. This frame is flooded with about 2 inches of water, and once that freezes more water is added until a sheet 4 inches thick forms.

“It’s a bit like opening a barn,” says Jenny Wieser, a volunteer who helps with the process.

Two fathers are in charge of sharpening the skates and a few students make sure the ice stays smooth. “Our Zambonis are actually students who run along and scrape off the ice,” says Wieser. “After everyone’s gone, we can put another small layer of water on top to smooth it out so it’s ready for the next day.”

Like other ice rinks, the rink is enacting safety protocols this year to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Skaters must have their temperature checked and wear masks. Capacity is limited and only packaged refreshments are sold. Admission is $ 15, including ice skates, and the rink is open November 27 through January 3 (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

Here are more pop-up ice rinks around the Lone Star State.

This 45 by 75 foot ice rink is located in downtown Frisco as part of the city’s annual Christmas celebration with choreographed Christmas lights and music. The ice rink is open from November 27th to January 4th. Admission is $ 15 and includes ice skate rentals. Guests need to reserve slots in advance as capacity is limited. “It’s one of the few outdoor ice rinks in North Texas,” says Wesley Lucas of Visit Frisco. “It’s fun because you’re right on the street, under the lights in the square and listening to music.”

Starting November 13, the ice rink welcomes skaters to Discovery Green, a 12-acre urban park in downtown Houston. Visitors must pre-purchase tickets for certain time slots and skaters must wear a mask. The capacity is limited. Admission is $ 15 and includes ice skates ($ 8 on cheap skate Monday). The ice rink is in operation until January 31st.

In Fort Worth, ice skaters can lap an ice rink at the Coyote Drive-In Complex on Fourth Street. Skaters must wear masks and buy tickets in advance. The capacity is limited. Open from November 20th to January 20th. 18 the rink offers a full menu, including beer and wine. Admission for a 75-minute session is $ 13.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion at The Woodlands will be converted into an ice rink from November 20th to January 18th. Guests must have their temperatures checked and wear masks when entering (masks may be removed while skating). Admission, including ice skates, is $ 12.50 for adults or $ 6 for children under 5.

Santa’s Wonderland at College Station is a holiday event that features hay rides, carriage rides, Christmas lights, a live nativity scene, petting zoo, toboggan slide, gingerbread village, and Santa Claus wearing a cowboy hat and boots. This year they are adding an outdoor ice rink. Reservations are required and entry to the ice rink is $ 14.95. The park is open from November 13th to December 13th. 30. Social distancing measures are being taken.

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