The winter season was officially launched at Yosemite National Park on Thanksgiving weekend when for the eightieth season, the Curry Village Ice Skating Rink opened for the first skaters. The rink was originally constructed in 1928 in large part to help attract attention from the Olympic Committee when Yosemite was competing for the opportunity to be the first American host of the Olympic Winter Games in 1932. While Lake Placid won that honor, Yosemite Valley has retained its ice skating tradition in its Curry Village location.
The rink was originally located on the north side of the Yosemite Valley where it held the benefit of longer sun exposure, but the warmth for the patrons, was a double-edged sword and simultaneously shortened the skating season, and also made daily conditions less predictable, reducing the days of good skating conditions. Accordingly, it was moved south, under the shadow of Glacier Point in order to maximize the days of availability, and also the quality of the ice over the course of each day. The DNC Resorts and Parks (which also operate the Yosemite ski resort, Badger Pass) company maintains the outdoor rink - one of only six outdoor ice rinks in the state of California, for the Yosemite National Park and also keeps a fire-pit roaring beside the rink, so that skaters can get warm on the colder days, as well as to take a break to roast marshmallows.
The rink is opened seven days a week through March, as long as the weather allows it.
M - F: 3:30pm – 6:00pm, 7:00 – 9:30pm
Weekends: 8:30am – 11:00am, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, 3:30pm – 6:00pm, 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Prices: $8 for Adults, $6 for kids, and skate rentals are $3
For more details: 209-372-8319
