Ice skating is back at Whitewater Center, but not in Uptown

The Whitewater Center’s popular open-air ice rink returns next week. That and the Carowinds Snow Flake Lake will be about the only outdoor skating options in Charlotte, with other skating remaining closed this year.

• The list of no-gos includes Uptown’s Holiday on Ice and SouthPark’s Winter Wonderland.
• Additionally, the popular LIGHTS installation will not be returning to the Whitewater Center this year.

Why it matters: We’re still not back to holidays-as-usual. And skaters at the Whitewater Center and Carowinds should probably expect large crowds.

• The first day at the Whitewater Center is Thursday, Nov. 11, and it’s slated to run through mid-February.
• The first day of Carowinds’ rink is Friday, Nov. 19.

We contacted reps with Holiday on Ice regarding this year’s postponement and they informed us that the reasoning behind the decision was due to the uncertainty of the Delta variant and widely noted staffing shortages.

• Marsha Landess, Radio One Regional Vice President tells Axios This is only temporary though – we very much look forward to bringing such a treasured community activity back to Uptown Charlotte.”
• The NASCAR Hall of Fame tells Axios in a statement, “We’re confident we’ll be welcoming their team and so many skaters back to the plaza during the 2022/23 season.”

What’s new: For the 2021 season, the Whitewater Center will debut a new ice skating trail in the Upper Pond — increasing the total size of the rink to more than 24,000 square feet.

Details: The rink is made up of four separate areas that include two ice trails and two free skate zones.

• The on-ice Airstream trailer will return this year and serve up craft beer, hot chocolate and coffee for skaters who need a break.
• Skates are included in the ticket price but you will need to bring your own socks.

Cost: Ice skating can be accessed through an annual pass ($219 for adults, $189 for kids 9 and under), day pass ($64 for adults, $54 for kids 9 and under) or single activity pass ($25).

Another outdoor skating option is the Founder’s Holiday Ice Rink in downtown Rock Hill. Opening day is November 19 and it’s scheduled to run through January 17, 2022.

• Tickets are $15 and include skate rentals and 90 minutes on the ice.

Also, indoor rinks the Pineville Ice House and Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail have public skating available 7 days a week. Just check their schedules for times.

Looking for more things to do in Charlotte? Check out our events board.