The Most Beautiful Ice Skating Rinks from San Diego to Vegas

Banff has several stunning, glacier-fed ice skating rinks, but Lake Louise blows them all out of the (frigid) water. Recognized worldwide as one of the most drop-dead gorgeous rinks for its Rocky Mountain frame and sprawling size, the rink has designated areas for hockey and skating. Hop between the two, then defrost at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise's warming hut. If you can handle the cold, stick around for evening skating to glide under a blanket of stars.

This 40-acre lake in the foothills west of Denver is the kind other mountain towns would kill for. The whole town shows up to scoot, slide, and glide on the 8 acres of maintained ice. Rumor has it that Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton used to practice his double axels here, but these days it's pickup hockey players, sweethearts, families, and day-trippers. Skaters sip hot chocolate and warm up in the Evergreen Lake House. After hours, walk to Willow Creek Restaurant, the cozy go-to for gingerbread cookie martinis.

Thousands of twinkling white lights give extra holiday spirit to this classic hotel's Windsor Lawn-turned-rink just steps from the ocean near San Diego. Warm-up with a cup of hot cocoa at the new by-reservation Frostbite A Place to Chill lounge with firepits next to the rink, mingle with fellow skaters near the massive Christmas tree (the world's first electrically lit outdoor tree, in 1904), or sing along to holiday music while you do laps around the rink. The best time to twirl on the ice is in the late afternoon when the sun is setting over the Pacific.

A tram swoops you up to 3,700 feet for rinkside views of the Coast Range and Vancouver city lights. Bundled families come for Grouse Mountain's "Peak of Christmas" celebration with sleigh rides, holiday movies, and Santa. At the Peak Chalet, poutine (fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy) is served up hot and with a panoramic view, just steps off the ice skating rink.

Earn your stripes by taking a spin around the rink where champion figure skater Tonya Harding learned to skate. The first rink to open inside a mall, Lloyd Center Ice Rink has been going strong since it debuted in 1960. After recent renovations, the centerpiece spot shines with light that floods in through the windowed ceiling. Though it's open year-round (with lessons, to boot), the holidays bring visits from Santa and a giant Christmas tree.

Gaze at the Ferry Building's stunning white clock tower and the sprawling Bay Bridge while you carve up the ice at the Embarcadero Center. Make a night of it with a skate under the stars followed by a cocktail at the Ferry Building's Slanted Door. For more San Francisco ice skating at a public rin, head to the Union Station Holiday Ice Rink, surrounded by decked-out storefronts and featuring knock-out programming like the Drag Queens on Ice show.  

Toothy 12,000-foot peaks rake the sky above Keystone's bustling base village that could charm the antlers off Rudolph. Come evening, a dazzling Christmas tree glows in the middle of the 5-acre lake. Look but don't lick–the Chocolate Village, a 2,500-pound confection in the lakeside lodge, includes a life-size white chocolate Christmas tree and moving chocolate gondolas. Keep it going at the ski resort's second, outdoor ice skating rink at Dercum Square.

Good luck keeping your eyes on the ice—this ice skating rink is smack-dab between snowcapped idols Half Dome and Glacier Point, which are stunning Yosemite winter sights. The rink started as a flooded parking lot in 1928 and has been a must-skate ever since. Grab s'more ingredients near the rental shop for a melty treat by the rinkside firepit.