Outdoor skating?

jasn · 01-11-2005, 10:28 AM

My family is heading to the northern part of Winni during the kid's February break. Can someone tell me what the prospects will be for finding places to skate outdoors? Do any towns plow the surface? Is there a lot of wind-blown clear space?

Thx.

camp guy · 01-11-2005, 01:20 PM

The answer to this question is not simple. Some places plow and sprinkle the surface to provide a skateable area. There may well be large open areas wind blown and fairly smooth; however, the Lake is very big, and there is movement which can cause fissures and rifts to occur, and these can be very dangerous to skating. Do not get too close to docks with bubblers, the area for some distance may not be safe. Also, if there has been some surface melting during the day and refreezing during the night it is possible to have spots not as strong as others, and, if you are skating along and hit one of these you can take a nasty fall. The fact that you see snow mobiles on the ice is not an indicator that the surface is good for skating. If you are staying at a specific place, contact them to ask this question. Under okay conditions skating on the Lake is a fabulous experience. Good Luck to You.

ddemers · 01-11-2005, 01:26 PM

If you are in the Gilford area, there is a covered skating rink located on Varney Point road. Every night it is hosed down so in the morning, there is new ice. Between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm, it is stick and puck. Noontime on, all are welcome. The cost is $1.00.

jasn · 01-12-2005, 08:53 PM

Thanks for the info

Jim

upthesaukee · 01-12-2005, 10:49 PM

Wolfeboro has an indoor skating rink on Rte 109a called Pop Whalen Arena, and in the past they have had an outdoor area behind the arena for skating. Check with the rink at 569-5639.

01-11-2005, 10:28 AM	#1
jasn Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northborough, MA Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Outdoor skating? My family is heading to the northern part of Winni during the kid's February break. Can someone tell me what the prospects will be for finding places to skate outdoors? Do any towns plow the surface? Is there a lot of wind-blown clear space? Thx.

01-11-2005, 01:20 PM	#2
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,135 Thanks: 284 Thanked 480 Times in 271 Posts	Outdoor skating The answer to this question is not simple. Some places plow and sprinkle the surface to provide a skateable area. There may well be large open areas wind blown and fairly smooth; however, the Lake is very big, and there is movement which can cause fissures and rifts to occur, and these can be very dangerous to skating. Do not get too close to docks with bubblers, the area for some distance may not be safe. Also, if there has been some surface melting during the day and refreezing during the night it is possible to have spots not as strong as others, and, if you are skating along and hit one of these you can take a nasty fall. The fact that you see snow mobiles on the ice is not an indicator that the surface is good for skating. If you are staying at a specific place, contact them to ask this question. Under okay conditions skating on the Lake is a fabulous experience. Good Luck to You.

01-11-2005, 01:26 PM	#3
ddemers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Weare, Gilford, Meredith Posts: 62 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Outdoor skating If you are in the Gilford area, there is a covered skating rink located on Varney Point road. Every night it is hosed down so in the morning, there is new ice. Between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm, it is stick and puck. Noontime on, all are welcome. The cost is $1.00.

01-12-2005, 10:49 PM	#5
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,547 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,398 Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts	Wolfeboro has an indoor skating rink on Rte 109a called Pop Whalen Arena, and in the past they have had an outdoor area behind the arena for skating. Check with the rink at 569-5639. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

01-12-2005, 08:53 PM	#4
jasn Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northborough, MA Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the info Jim