New York Events

The temperatures are dropping—winter is nearly here. But just the bikinis and beach towels have been packed away doesn't mean you can't keep enjoying the great outdoors. What better way to get your group together than with an event held at an ice skating rink?

Ice skating events hold many advantages over other traditional winter group activities. It's not a difficult skill—or at least a less frustrating one—to learn; it requires less of a time commitment for attendees, since most cities have a rink within less than an hour's drive; and it's budget friendly!

In 2007 Budget Travel published a list of the top 10 ice skating rinks in the United States. Check out a few that made the cut and are more than capable of hosting large groups for your next event:

Boston Common Frog Pond Skating Rink

Located in America's oldest public park, the Frog Pond Skating Rink delights locals and tourists alike. Open November to mid-March, the rink is available for private rentals Monday nights from 5:30 to 7 PM; 7:30 to 9 PM; or 5:30 to 8:30 PM.

Located close to restaurants and attractions such as Faneuil Hall Marketplace, skating at the Frog Pond is a great way to begin or end your Boston events.

The Pond at Bryant Park

A beacon of holiday spirit in the middle of Bryant Park, this 17,000-square-foot rink has room to host up to 500 guests for your events in New York City. The Pond's professional staff can customize event packages to suit any event, whether it be on the rink itself or at one of its other New York special event facilities.

Meeting planners can make use of the adjacent, heated 7,000-square-foot Skating Pavilion; glass-enclosed, 7,000-square-foot Celsius cafe and bar; or 400-square-foot private Party Room.

LA Downtown on Ice at Pershing Square

Don't think that only the Northern states can enjoy cold weather fun. As the self-described "Rockefeller Center of the West," LA Downtown on Ice has been getting LA events into the winter spirit for over 10 years. In addition to hosting public skating, a free concert series, a winter festival and more, the rink can exclusively host two-hour or three-hour events.

Its rental packages include canopies, tables, chairs, skate rentals—even private instruction depending on availability—to make your ice skating event a success.

Curry Village Ice Rink at Yosemite National Park

With snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and several other snow recreational activities available at Yosemite National Park, it might be easy to overlook its on-site Curry Village Ice Rink. Don't make this mistake! Ice skating at Yosemite has been a tradition since the 1930s, and there's no better way to get a group bonding together than by hosting an event at the rink, which is available for private parties on weekdays.

Whether practicing stunts or just trying not to fall down, guests will certainly enjoy huddling up to the outdoor fire ring for s'mores and hot drinks after unstrapping their skates.