Top 5 Year-Round Ice Skating Rinks in Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas-Fort Worth has a few ice skating rinks that run year-round, and it probably sounds strange for a city where summer temperatures usually hit triple digits. Over the past decade or so, they’ve turned into legitimate training centers. Families pack these places during July and August when it’s unbearable outside. Competitive hockey players practice here throughout the week, and the ice hosts figure skaters who run through Olympic-caliber routines almost every day.

With the money that the region has put into permanent ice rinks, you have to ask if there’s enough demand for them. The dedicated StarCenter complexes alone cost tens of millions of dollars to build and keep running. At the same time, the rinks that are inside shopping malls take up some of the most expensive retail space around. The Dallas Stars run eight rinks across the metroplex by themselves, and they also get over 8 million visitors each year.

Prices are all over the place and depend on where you go. Some places charge just $7 to get in, and others want $17. And the schedules are always changing because of hockey tournaments and private events. Sometimes the places even close at the last minute with no warning!

Each rink draws its own type of crowd, and the experiences are different from place to place. At the Galleria, you’ll see families who skate casually under that massive 95-foot Christmas tree. But at other rinks you’ll find dedicated athletes who train on Olympic-sized ice.

All five of these rinks have something special that makes them worth a visit.

Let’s talk about where you can lace up your skates any time of year!

Four StarCenter Locations That Serve DFW

The Dr Pepper StarCenter locations in Plano, Farmers Branch, Euless and Richardson have become the heart and soul of ice skating in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. These aren’t your average neighborhood ice rinks. These four locations are similar to what you’d find at a professional arena or Olympic training facility.

Walk into any location and you’ll see multiple rinks all in the same building. One rink has figure skaters working on their routines as a hockey game is going on right next door on a different sheet of ice. The ice quality stays perfect all day long because they’ve spent plenty of money on refrigeration systems that actually work the way they should. Every location has a full shop too that stocks everything from cheap rental skates to the expensive gear that competitive athletes use.

The viewing areas are actually comfortable, and it’s a welcome change from most ice rinks. They’re heated and have decent seats, and you can see the ice very well from anywhere. Grab a hot chocolate or coffee from the snack bar, and you can relax as your kids work on their skating skills or practice their jumps and spins.

These rinks have actually trained some very skilled athletes over the years. A few players who learned to skate on this very ice have eventually made it to the NHL draft. Olympic-level figure skaters have been coming to these rinks to train for decades now, and it shows in their performance. Big hockey tournaments bring teams from Oklahoma, Arkansas and from every corner of Texas just to play here. The figure skating competitions are just as intense, with national-level judges and skaters from across the country coming to compete on this ice.

What makes these places work well is that they manage to serve everyone from total beginners who can barely stand up on skates to athletes who compete at the highest levels. The early morning ice time tends to go to senior citizens who want a great workout that’s gentle on their joints. Homeschool groups and private lessons take over in the afternoon. When evening comes around, the place is full of youth hockey leagues and adult figure skating classes.

Rinks Where You Can Shop and Skate

The Parks Mall in Arlington has a unique setup that I don’t see at most other ice rinks around here. Most places make you buy skates at one location and then drive somewhere else to actually use them. Not here, though. You can walk into the pro shop in the morning and pick out a brand new pair of skates and then head straight down to the ice that same afternoon to break them in. Parents love this arrangement because it takes care of so many different needs all in one trip.

Mall rinks nail the convenience aspect better than almost any other location. One parent can work with their kid on crossovers and backwards skating at the rink. At the same time, the other parent can go to the department store for whatever the family needs. Birthday gifts, winter jackets, new school clothes - it’s all right there in the same building. Kids always seem to get hungry right after they skate, and the food court is one escalator ride away. There’s no need to pack a cooler with granola bars and juice boxes. There’s no need to load everyone back in the car and figure out where to eat. Everything you might need is already there under one roof.

The whole feeling at a mall rink is different from what you’d experience at a traditional ice facility. During those afternoon skating sessions, natural light comes streaming in through the mall’s skylights overhead and makes the ice sparkle in a beautiful way. Shoppers who are walking by usually stop for a minute or two and watch through the glass barriers. At the same time, families are up in the viewing area, taking photos and videos of their kids on the ice. The energy is more relaxed than what you’d find at a dedicated sports center. But there’s still enough structure that everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing.

Mall rinks bring in a very particular type of skater and family. You’re going to see far more toddlers wobbling around in rental skates here than you would at any of the StarCenter locations across town. Birthday parties are happening every weekend, and most of these groups are filled with kids who have literally never set foot on the ice before that day. Parents feel comfortable in this controlled environment because they know their children can wander around a little bit without running into any problems or getting lost.

The events at these rinks also set them apart from other venues throughout the year. You might show up one weekend and find princesses skating around in full costume and tiaras! A few days later, the rink might host a teen night with a professional DJ playing the latest pop hits as colored lights flash across the ice. And Valentine’s Day at a mall rink is always memorable. Couples hold hands and skate together during the slow songs as the staff members toss foam hearts onto the ice for added romance.

Mall rinks have developed their own distinct skating culture over the years. Traditional ice rinks just can’t recreate this same blend of convenience, accessibility and entertainment all rolled into one location. The combination of shopping, dining, and skating is an experience that brings families back week after week, season after season.

What You Pay for Entry and Skates

You’re usually going to pay somewhere between $8 and $15 for admission alone - that’s just the price to get onto the ice. Skate rentals are going to run you another $3 to $5 on top of that, but of course, you can skip this fee if you already own a pair.

The day and time you go can definitely affect how much money you’ll spend at the rink. Weekend afternoons and evenings are when these places charge their highest rates because that’s when everyone wants to skate. A weekday afternoon visit will usually cost you a few dollars less for the exact same experience. Most of the rinks also run promotions during these slower periods for students and seniors who can use the off-peak hours.

First-time visitors don’t always think about the extra costs that add up during a trip to the ice rink. Parking fees show up at the busier locations, and the mall rinks are especially notorious for this. You’ll want a locker to keep your belongings safe as you skate, and those usually cost $1 or $2. The pro shop will happily sell you a pair of gloves for $10 to $15 if you forget yours at home. But it’s obviously better to bring your own.

Those who skate regularly should definitely look into the membership options and discount card deals at their favorite rinks. These packages let you buy ten visits at once for a decent discount on each admission. A few of the rinks in the area even include free skate rentals as part of their membership benefits, which turns into real savings over time.

The choice about whether to buy your own skates depends on some pretty simple math. Anyone who skates more than 15 times per year will probably come out ahead if they purchase their own pair. You can pick up some quality skates for $60 to $80, and they’ll last for a few years if you take decent care of them.

Find the Right Rink for Your Needs

You have a decent sense of what each rink has at this point, and it’s time to narrow down your options and find the one that actually makes sense for your situation. The right rink for you depends on a few main factors and what you value most when you’re out there on the ice.

Parents with toddlers and young children usually choose mall rinks, and they actually have some legitimate reasons for that. Mall rinks are smaller than outdoor ones, and you can watch your kids wherever they wander off to. Bathrooms are always just a quick walk away, too, and that matters quite a bit when your 4-year-old suddenly needs to go. The indoor environment at a mall also cuts out most of the usual problems. The weather is never a problem, and you don’t have to worry about whether it’s going to be too cold for the little ones to have fun.

StarCenter rinks are a different experience with their Olympic-sized ice surfaces. You have much more room to build up speed and practice those crossovers without always dodging other skaters. The maintenance crews at these places really know what they’re doing, and they keep the ice in great condition throughout the day. Anyone who has spent time at smaller community rinks will feel the difference in ice quality right away.

The off-ice experience matters just as much for some skaters. A few rinks have legitimate restaurants where you can sit down for a burger and fries, and others barely manage a vending machine and some stale pretzels. Seating arrangements are all over the place, too. Some places have actual bleachers with decent sightlines, and others expect parents to just lean against the boards for 2 hours. The newer places usually have better lounges and viewing areas, but you’ll find that older rinks usually have tighter communities and coaches who’ve been teaching for decades.

A quick visit at different times can tell you plenty about any rink you’re thinking about. A parking lot that’s full on a random Tuesday afternoon probably means weekend public sessions are going to be absolute chaos. Ice that looks foggy or has those deep ruts everywhere tells you the management doesn’t prioritize regular resurfacing. Small details like these give you a genuine look into how well the place runs on a day-to-day basis.

Make Your Party Unforgettable

Living somewhere where the thermometer hits triple digits all summer long means that ice skating might not be the first activity that comes to mind. And yet these indoor rinks are actually great for those brutal Texas days. They’re little pockets of winter that stay frozen year-round.

Taking that certain someone on a memorable date in the middle of July becomes possible at these places. The kids need something fun and active when spring break rolls around, and it’s already 95 degrees, so the ice rink is always an option.

The best part is that you get the fun of ice skating without having to wait for winter weather to show up. Because let’s be honest, in most of Texas, that could be a pretty long wait!

All these different options mean that there’s something for every type of skater out there. The dedicated hockey players who need ice time at dawn can find just what they need. The parent who just wants to watch their 5-year-old wobble around in those adorable little plastic walkers has a perfect place, too. Some days, the energy and convenience of a mall rink just feels right, and you can grab lunch and do a bit of shopping afterward. Other days, though, the more athletic atmosphere of a dedicated facility is what you’re after. Multiple sheets of ice and intense training programs all around you can get you in the zone.

What always amazes me about these places is the way that they bring families together in the most unexpected ways. Ice skating has this unique ability to break down the usual social barriers that we all put up. Maybe it’s that we all feel a bit vulnerable when we’re desperately trying not to fall on our faces. Or maybe the cold air and smooth ice just put everyone in a great mood. Parents find themselves talking at the boards as their kids take lessons. Teenagers spontaneously help younger kids who have taken a tumble. Total strangers share genuine laughs when somebody attempts an ambitious spin that goes hilariously wrong. These rinks have also become community gathering places over the years. Friendships form here and memories last long after the Zamboni has cleared the ice for the night.

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