In the search for outdoor activities during the unseasonably warm winter, check out Woodland Ice Center at Kalispell’s Woodland Park.
The rink’s icy surface is chilled by 22 miles of plastic pipe that weaves its way beneath the 185-by-85 foot frozen playground. The facility is equipped with stadium lights, comfortable locker rooms and team benches. At times, there is a fire burning in a designated area to warm frozen fingers.
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 very 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 air.
Currently, the rink has large blocks of time available for rental. Open skating is available on Saturday and Sunday or, for the competitor, there is men and women’s drop in hockey.
Visit www.flatheadflames.org for a detailed calendar of the rink’s schedule, information on how to volunteer your time and on the assorted Flathead Valley Hockey Association teams.
How to get there: From downtown Kalispell, go east on Second Street East. Continue on through the intersection with Woodland Avenue. The entrance is on the left just past the cannon.