Yes, there are ice skating options in Fresno area. Here’s where you can go, and until when

Joshua Tehee

There is something romantically nostalgic about lacing up a pair of skates and partaking in a wintry glide around an ice rink.

Maybe it’s caps, sweaters and scarves bundling up against the chill.

And while it’s been years since Fresno has seen an outdoor rink of its own, there are several ice-rinks operating in the area this year.

One is just an Amtrak ride away on the San Joaquin line.

This is the second year Hanford has made an ice-rink the center piece of its Winter Wonderland transformation, which kicked off in mid-November and runs through Jan. 8. The rink is open 2 p.m. for weekday skate sessions with weekend skate sessions starting at noon. Tickets are $16-$18 (including skate rental) and available online. Family packages are also available.

“We’re really kind of proud to have it right in the middle of our historic civic park,” says Brian Johnson, community relations manager with the city.

A full schedule of Winter Wonderland events can be found at www.hanfordwinterwonderland.com.

Hanford’s Winter Wonderland, in its second year, features an ice rink in Civic Center Park. The festivities run every day through January 8. Photographed from the roof of the Hanford Civic Auditorium Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 in Hanford.
Hanford’s Winter Wonderland, in its second year, features an ice rink in Civic Center Park. The festivities run every day through January 8. Photographed from the roof of the Hanford Civic Auditorium Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 in Hanford.

The Pines at Bass Lake

The Pines Resort at Bass Lake debuted a brand new Glice (synthetic ice) rink with a soft launch on Dec. 23.

“We just wanted to get people on the ice before the holiday,” says general manager Mark Choe.

“It’s a perfect fit for The Pines.”

The rink will get an official grand opening Jan. 14 and is expected to remain open through March, weather permitting. The rink is open to the public with morning and evening skate sessions daily. Admission is $15-$20 for two hour-long sessions.

Daily and season passes are also available.

Admission fee covers two (2) consecutive 60-minute sessions, beginning on the hour; and skate rentals. Helmets and skating aids are available free of charge. The rink will also feature themed nights and other events as the season progresses, Choe says.

Vossler Farms

Christmas on Visalia’s Vossler Farms included a Ho Ho Holiday Hay Ride, a drive-thru light display and ... ice skating.

The farm’s 50-by-80 foot ice rink (that’s real ice) remains open through Jan. 8 for daily skate sessions beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15, with a $5 skate rental. Vossler Farms is located at 26773 S. Mooney Boulevard.

In and near Yosemite

Both Curry Village and Tenaya at Yosemite operate ice rinks for winter.

The Curry Village rink has been in operation since 1928 and has the benefit of having Half Dome as its backdrop. Skate sessions are offered daily and run two-hours. Tickets are $16 plus the skate rental fee. Season passes are available.

The once-named Tenaya Lodge just outside the national park’s southern entrance has daily skate sessions in the morning, afternoon and evening. Prices are $25 for adults and $20 with skate rental included.

Ice skaters enjoy the ice rink at Hanford’s Winter Wonderland Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 in Hanford. Now in its second year, the ice rink will remain open every day through January 8.
Ice skaters enjoy the ice rink at Hanford’s Winter Wonderland Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 in Hanford. Now in its second year, the ice rink will remain open every day through January 8.
Visitors glide around on the new synthetic skate rink at The Pines Resort on Bass Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. The rink is a new wintertime amenity at the resort and has two sessions a day.
Visitors glide around on the new synthetic skate rink at The Pines Resort on Bass Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. The rink is a new wintertime amenity at the resort and has two sessions a day.
Skaters circle counter-clockwise at Hanford’s Winter Wonderland Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 in Hanford. Winter Wonderland, in its second year, features an ice rink in Civic Center Park. The festivities run every day through January 8.
Skaters circle counter-clockwise at Hanford’s Winter Wonderland Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 in Hanford. Winter Wonderland, in its second year, features an ice rink in Civic Center Park. The festivities run every day through January 8.
Hanford’s Winter Wonderland offers plastic sleds to help movie skaters remain upright. Photographed Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 in Hanford.
Hanford’s Winter Wonderland offers plastic sleds to help movie skaters remain upright. Photographed Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 in Hanford.
Courtney Stafford, 10, of Walnut Creek enjoys an evening skate on the new skate rink at The Pines Resort on Bass Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
Courtney Stafford, 10, of Walnut Creek enjoys an evening skate on the new skate rink at The Pines Resort on Bass Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
Violet Wyatt, 9, of Fresno takes a spill while enjoying her first time skating on the new skate rink at The Pines Resort on Bass Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
Violet Wyatt, 9, of Fresno takes a spill while enjoying her first time skating on the new skate rink at The Pines Resort on Bass Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.

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