Clute Park in Anchorage is home to the only ice arena in Alaska. The rink is a well-rounded, modern venue for hockey and figure skating, but it’s Olympic surface also offers open skating and skate rental. With so much fun to be had on the ice, it’s not surprising that many people decide to try it out! Clute park ice skating is a great winter activity for families to experience together. And unlike a roller rink, Clute Park is an authentic ice arena with a real ice skating surface. However, skating can be intimidating if you have never done it before. You should definitely give it a try–but before you head out, make sure to remember these 7 important things!
1. Ice Skates are Different from Roller Skates
The ice skating surface at Clute Park requires one special equipment item: ice skates. These skates are specially designed for skating on ice and differ significantly from roller skates. Unlike roller skates, which have four wheels on the bottom and provide the most stability when they are worn with thick socks, ice skates have just two small rubber blades on the bottom of each skate and require a thin stocking that grips the blade when you slide your foot into it. If you don’t have the right equipment and if you are not used to ice skating, it can be frustrating! But if you get the right footwear and ice skating practice, it is easy to learn.
2. Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get comfortable with ice skating is by practicing. There are plenty of different things to try on Clute Park, from fast-forward figure skating sessions to quick-paced hockey drills. You can check out the schedule at Clute Park’s website to find a time that works for you, or start learning now by taking free lessons.
3. Wear the Correct Gear for Ice Skating
In addition to ice skates, you need winter clothing that is designed specifically for ice skating. Ice skates are lightweight, so they are not difficult to move in, but they aren’t meant to be worn inside the house. If you wear the wrong clothes and shoes when you first start ice skating, your feet will get cold and sore very quickly!
Wear items like thick cotton or wool socks and a waterproof jacket. You may be tempted to wear cotton socks instead of wool socks if your feet are warm, but it’s best to wear thick layers of clothing when ice skating because that will keep your body temperature consistent during practice or a game.
4. Don’t Try to Outrun the Ice
The ice skating surface at Clute Park is much thinner than the ice of a hockey or figure skating rink, so you should be careful not to fall and break your fall. If you slip on thin snow instead of thin ice, it will take longer for your body to stop moving and you may injure yourself further by landing awkwardly on a sharp rock or jagged piece of twine. (It is also possible that running into one of these would cause you to slip and injure yourself further. Stay safe, and remember to use caution.)
5. Know How to Control Speed
The ice skating surface at Clute Park is much thinner than the ice of a hockey or figure skating rink, so you should be careful not to fall and break your fall. If you slip on thin snow instead of thin ice, it will take longer for your body to stop moving and you may injure yourself further by landing awkwardly on a sharp rock or jagged piece of twine. (It is also possible that running into one of these would cause you to slip and injure yourself further. Stay safe, and remember to use caution.
6. Find a Good Skate Sharpener
It is also important to make sure that your skates are sharpened so that they are safe to use. Clute Park offers skate sharpening and you can check their calendar of events to see if there is an upcoming free skate sharpening session. If not, take your skates to a professional who can help you prepare for ice skating! The last thing you want is for the blades to dull so that you trip when your get on the thin ice. That could lead to a nasty fall!
7. Have Fun and Don’t Get Hurt
The most important thing is to have fun! Once you find the right skating gear, discipline yourself to practice skating regularly. Try to work up to ten minutes of skating at a time, but don’t break before then! Feel free to ask the staff at Clute Park’s rink for advice on safety and how to get better. They are always happy to help. While ice skating can be a lot of fun, it is also important that you stay safe so you don’t get hurt during practice or a game! For more information about ice skating at Clute Park’s rink or for other fun things to do in Anchorage, check out AlaskaFamilyFun.
