Ice is Back! Aviemore Ice Rink

It’s been twenty years since Aviemore had an ice rink and now, after a huge effort from the local community, ice is back!

People have talked about bringing an ice rink back to Aviemore for many years, after the original facility was controversially demolished in 1999. Old grainy photos show the huge ice rink, which was loved by many generations of skaters. 

Despite lots of public support, it was actually the incredibly low temperatures of winter 2020/21 that really gave the new project momentum. With another lockdown shutting people in their homes, locals saw the frozen-over lochs and ponds and decided to dust off their skates for some outdoor exercise.

And since that winter, which demonstrated the appetite for ice skating, the project has gone from strength to strength. It has been led by the Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust who have worked tirelessly, alongside many local volunteers, to see the return of a proper ice rink to Aviemore. 

There has also been a significant amount of money donated by local businesses and fundraising events, meaning over half of the £110,000 raised has come from the pockets of local people.

And it’s not just money that people donated. Many local tradespeople were on-site helping to put up the marquee, lay the flooring, install the electrics, and generally get the whole thing going. Organisers say they saved £26,000 by accepting the help of volunteers. 

What to expect

The facility is housed under a large white marquee at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, just off the main car park. It’s a rectangular-shaped rink, made with real ice, measuring 20 metres by 12 metres. There are plenty of skates available to rent for all sizes – as well as mini-polar bears to help you balance while you find your feet.

If you’re worried about the environmental impact of an ice rink in Aviemore, then you can rest assured: the Macdonald Resort has allowed the trust to connect to its electrical supply thereby avoiding using significantly more expensive and less green generators.

The intention is to open the rink daily through to the end of the Easter holidays. Any profits generated will be used to further Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust’s goal of returning a full-size ice rink to Aviemore. So watch this space!

Times and prices

The ice rink is open from 13:00 – 21:00, seven days a week. There’s a range of ticketing options, but for 1 hour it costs £15 for an adult, £13 for a child and £50 for a family. There’s also a wide range of special events and classes including parent and toddler sessions, adult ice hockey, ladies’ night, and after school skate.

Full information of tickets and special events can be found on the Aviemore Ice Rink website.

*Banner photo credit: Macdonald Resort, Aviemore