SANTA MONICA WINTER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Holiday Blades in Santa Monica: One Hour on the Ice for Families and First-Timers
A one-hour public session operated by Ice at Santa Monica; this guide explains what to expect, what to wear, and how skate helpers and rentals work.
Holiday Blades in Santa Monica: One Hour on the Ice for Families and First-Timers.
A holiday tradition in Santa Monica, this one-hour ice skating session is built for smiles across generations — welcoming big and small, young and old to the rink for a focused, family-friendly slice of winter fun.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Short, Intimate Sessions Made for Families
Sessions run for one hour and are designed to be accessible to a range of ages and abilities, delivering a compact skating experience that works well for families and holiday visitors.
Skates Are Included—Or Bring Your Own
Figure and hockey skates are provided with admission in sizes from toddler 8 up to adult 15; guests are also welcome to use their personal ice skates.
Penguin & Polar Bear Skate Helpers
Beginning skaters 12 and under can use Penguin and Polar Bear helpers that glide with the child to aid balance and control; helpers are restricted to young skaters and issued at the rink manager's discretion.
What the day feels like
How the Session Feels
Expect a brisk, organized hour: check in, swap into provided skates (or lace up your own), step onto the ice for an allotted session and, if needed, use skate helpers for beginning skaters — a focused experience designed to be approachable and cheerful.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this session suits — and who should be cautious.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Sessions last one hour; the rink runs short, scheduled public sessions designed for holiday and seasonal visitation.
Wear layers—the ice temperature can range from balmy to chilly—and bring mittens or gloves if you get cold; gloves and socks are available for purchase if forgotten. You may also bring your own ice skates if preferred.
Single-use lockers are available for rent at $5 and will hold a couple of pairs of shoes, a medium-sized handbag, and a few small purchases.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Are skates included with admission?
Yes. Skates are included with admission; figure and hockey skate sizes range from toddler size 8 to adult size 15.
Can I bring my own ice skates?
Yes. Guests may bring their own ice skates if they prefer.
What are Skate Helpers and who can use them?
Skate Helpers (Penguin & Polar Bear) assist beginning skaters by gliding with them and helping balance; they are available only to skaters 12 and under, and are rented at the rink manager's discretion. Skaters must be able to stand on their own and push the helper themselves.
Are lockers available?
Yes. Single-use lockers are available to rent for $5 and are large enough to hold a couple of pairs of shoes, a medium-sized handbag, and a few small purchases.
What should I wear for a session?
Dress in layers; the surface can feel anything from balmy to chilly. If you get cold hands, bring mittens or gloves—gloves and socks are also sold at the rink if you forget them.