Mariah Carey is heard on every corner, homes twinkle with white, red, and green lights, trees dazzle with ornaments, and snow falls just like little kids on the ice. Ice skating is an activity that is enjoyed by millions of people throughout the world. Ice skating has gained popularity from local pop-up ice rinks that can be found all over America. These mainly outdoor ice rink pop-ups generate extra revenue for cities and help fund and support local shopping businesses from an influx of families ready for some icy fun.
Despite the creation of this more recreational-viewed activity, many people still ice skate as a professional career. Even though it is considered a sport in the Olympics, many still view it as an recreation activity rather than a sport. Sophomore Eva Rodriguez says, “If you do it competitively, I would consider it a sport (like hockey or figure skating), but I would not consider it a sport if you just ice skate for fun.” This idea of more of a recreational view of ice skating has bound people to the point of view of it as just something for fun. But on the other hand, people like junior Isaac Hildebrant say it is only “recreational.”
In these modern times, new commercial rinks have arisen, such as the Sno-King Ice Skating Arena in Renton, which provide all year-round ice skating for public and for private use. With these adapted spaces for winter activities year-round forms less fun and excitement over the activities over the holidays. It is also hard to maintain an ice skating rink outdoors all year with the wavering temperatures throughout the seasons. Hildebrant agrees that “the place is hard to maintain and keep available for people all year.” Elsewhere in the country, these pop-up ice skating rinks are less common, and senior Abby Cameron says from experience, “Lakes freeze over much easier in the Midwest, so we skate on those.” Since other places around the world have colder climates in the winter when smaller lakes freeze over local people can use lakes for their own leisure use. In Canada, ice hockey is a lot more popular due to the colder climate and it being more interwoven into the popular culture in Canada. It is considered more of a sport, like how football is popular here, hockey or ice skating is more popular in Canada.
Students at IHS say that they are not the best ice skaters. Rodriguez says, “I am not coordinated like that,” and freshman Lauretta Finholn says “I am not very good.” Skaters in Canada are more coordinated and passionate about ice skating and according to ipsos.com “Most (92%) of Canadians feel that skating is a basic skill that all children should have the opportunity to learn,” but with financial lack as ice skating is very expensive, seeming unreachable for a large population of the public. Ice skates can cost from $100-$3000 as these very specific shoes have metal blades and nice shoes attached that can vary based off of how nice they are. With equipment prices being very high the availability for some children to be able to ice skate for a sport or all the time is limited. That is why more local renting stores for ice skates or more commercial rinks will help availability of this more winter themed activity. This has also become a common issue with other winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding (which has very expensive equipment). But with the help of more renting and commercial mountains, rinks, or stores local people and others can enjoy a day on the snow, ice, or water.
Ice skating feels better with company, so grab some friends and go to some local rinks, like ones in Bellevue or Sno-King. Many students at IHS will go with friends and family for the holidays for a day of fun on the ice. Rodriguez says, “With friends because it is more fun to have company with you.” Other students like Cameron and Hildebrant agree to going “with friends.” Winter is a time for celebration and most importantly family, as older kids come back from college and school gets out, you can focus on the holidays and celebrate with your family (not just for Christmas). On the ice or just from the comfort of your home, family celebrations should be hosted to create a better bond within families and other households too.
As the snow melts away and lakes get wetter again, pop-up rinks close and the holiday season ends. Even though winter is leaving, you can always look forward to the next season of skating and rinks like Sno-King will not close for a while so go out there and go ice skating whenever you want. If you are scared it will lose its spark, just forget about it untill the new year, which is what I do every summer.
