With its annual Halloween celebration kickoff, the Woodland Ice Center is open for skating at Kalispell’s Woodland Park.
The icy surface is chilled by 22 miles of plastic pipe that weaves its way beneath the 185-by-85 foot frozen playground. The facility itself is equipped with stadium lights, comfortable locker rooms and team benches. If you don’t own your own skates, don’t worry. Rental skates are available and even with the extra expense, an afternoon of cruising the frozen surface is reasonably priced.
Although dodging a pine needle or two is common during some parts of the year, the Flathead Valley Hockey Association maintains an impeccably groomed surface to glide on in the chilled open winter air.
Hockey also starts this week, and with the popularity of the U-19 Girls team, the hockey association has added the U-12 Girls to the lineup with Midgets, Bantams, Pee Wees, Squirts and Mites. Although practices are underway, FVHA board member Kim Morisaki said there is still time and room for players to join.
For more information on how to volunteer your time or information on skate times and fees, visit www.flatheadflames.org or call the rink at (406) 758-7813.
How to get there: From downtown Kalispell, go east on Second Street East. Continue on Second Street East through the intersection with Woodland Avenue. The turn into Woodland Park is on the left.