Blue Mountains Ice Skating Rink

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One way to get through the cold of winter is to embrace the 'chilly season' instead. Think cosy log fires, fluffy puffer jackets, fun beanies and scarves, hot chocolate, steaming chips (with sauce of course) and ice-skating. You need to include fun exercise in this combo to burn off those calories, right!

You can enjoy such a touch of the charm of European winter at the Fairmont Resort's new ice-skating rink. For the fire, chips, hot choccie (and more), head to Sublime Lounge (inside the hotel) for a post ice-skating chill-out and snack.

Opening last winter, the new ice-skating rink remains a relative secret – known to some of the locals and hotel visitors. Significantly, Fairmont's offering is one of a dwindling number of ice-skating rinks in the country. It's the only one in the Blue Mountains and its surrounds – including the Western Suburbs and the Central Tablelands. After Penrith Ice Palace closed down recently 7News ran a story claiming Sydney's Ice Rinks were disappearing faster than glaciers. Go to the Fairmont Resort!

On Mother's Day, we (as in the Daughter, Husband and I) decided to try our luck on the ice. We went, we skated and here's my review to help you decide if it's for you.


Getting there: The Fairmont Resort is in Leura, the first snug village east of Katoomba, beloved by tourists. The ice rink is located on the tree-lined grounds just below the car park (less than a five-minute walk from the hotel entrance). It is sign-posted, but it took us ten minutes or so to park, ask for directions and walk there. So, I suggest you arrive about 15 minutes or so early. There's another reason for that, below.

The gear: There's a counter where you pay and get kitted out with skates (included in the cost). Inside the rink, it took us a while to put on our skates, play around with the buckles and get the fit right.

The rink: The actual rink isn't large like the bigger dedicated ones most of us have experienced ice-skating on, but at 600 square metres, there's still room to move and get into the groove. Expect a few social bumps here and there to the 80s music, a few slow family groups with young children, and the more experienced skaters and beginners hugging the railing at the side (yeah, that was me)! Surrounded by panoramas of glass windows, the rink looks out on deciduous trees that provide a European mountain vibe (the trees are especially lovely in autumn).


The verdict:On a cold winter day in the mountains, it's a great way to stay active and social. Our one-and-a-half session was adequate. (In all honesty, we were pooped)! If you're a beginner like me, except that it may likely take you the whole session to find your ice-skating legs without toppling over.

Costs and bookingA session goes for 1.5 hours and costs $25 for an adult, $20 for children 5-16 years old, $5 for infants or $65 for any family configuration of four people. The concession ticket costs $15. You can book your session online on the Fairmont Resort website and don't have to pay until you arrive.

What to bring: Bring or wear socks and warm clothes. Infants need closed to shoes if they're to skate. Enjoy!



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