KEEPING ANGELENOS COOL: TWO WINTER WONDERLAND ESCAPES FOR YOUR SUMMER BREAK
With daily temperatures reaching past 100 degrees, many Angelenos find themselves in dire need of a cool respite from the summer inferno. Other San Fernando Valley residents, sweating on their couches at home, might find it hard to believe that a frozen winter wonderland is only minutes away. Like two glimmering oases in the scorching desert, the Iceland Ice Skating Center and the LA Kings Valley Ice Center offer a fun, family-friendly way to beat the heat.
Iceland Ice Skating Center
Located at 14318 Calvert Street in Van Nuys, Iceland is a charming local rink that offers sessions to makes skating accessible to skaters of all ages and skill levels. Offering public skating sessions and skate rentals five afternoons a week, this is a great location for youngsters to try out ice skating for the first time in a safe, family-oriented environment. They even offer bumper boats on Ice for maximum fun!
For those that are interested in advancing in the sport, Iceland offers skating lessons six mornings a week in all skill levels from a students firsts steps all the way to dancing across the ice. With public seating and tables available, Iceland makes a great venue for summer birthday parties, where kids can stay active without facing the scorching outdoor temperatures. Spectators or out-of-breath skaters can also grab a snack at the cafe or browse the pro shop for any of their rink needs.
Those of us that have been in the Valley for a while know that with the blazing days, come the humid, muggy nights. But night-sweaters need not fear, Iceland has your Saturday night covered. With funky beats and lights to bring the rink to life, their Saturday Night Light Time is a frozen disco of fun.
Address: 14318 Calvert St., Van Nuys, CA 91401
LA Kings Valley Ice Center
A bit farther North, at 8750 Van Nuys Blvd, in Panorama City, the LA Kings Valley Ice Center boasts two full-sized ice rinks and offers public skating sessions and skate rentals every day of the week. Geared towards the sportier side of the skating world, the Valley Ice Center also has a wide offering of lessons in skating basics, figure skating, hockey, and even curling.
They also offer freestyle sessions and open stick time for amateur figure skaters and hockey players to get in their reps. For those interested in organized play, the LA Kings Center offers both youth and adult leagues for Angelenos to live out their Staples Center dreams.
Like the Iceland Center, the kings center also offers night skating on the weekends for anyone looking to cool off after the sun goes down. In need of skates, sticks, pads, or any other ice sport supplies? The Valley Ice Center will have everything you need and more in their stacked pro shop.
Address: 8750 Van Nuys Blvd., Panorama City, CA 91402
Whether you were born out of state, with snowy winters and frozen ponds, or you were born and raised as a SoCal desert-person, everyone needs a good place to get out of the sweltering summer heat. What better way to go than sub zero? There may be no way to turn down the summer heat, but with the Valley Ice Center and Iceland around the corner, you can stay cool all day long. So next time you feel yourself sticking to the couch, peel yourself off, get down to the rink, and feel the freeze!
http://www.lakingsvalleyicecenter.com/
http://valleyskating.com/
