Magic on the ‘ice’ Snoqualmie’s synthetic rink opens for the holidays

Published 3:07 pm Thursday, December 18, 2014

Skating skills come quickly for sisters Hallie and Ava Goetz

First they learned to walk on the slick surface. Then, after a few minutes, they were dancing, twirling, laughing and sometimes landing flat on their backs. So it goes when children start to skate.

Snoqualmie’s Winter Magic festival got started Sunday, Dec. 14, on a closed-off section of King Street next to downtown’s Railroad Park, on the first day of skating sessions planned for both downtown and Snoqualmie Ridge. The afternoon event also lured families with carriage rides, a bonfire, and photos with two “ice princesses” courtesy of Princess Parties by Palettes and Pairings.

The littlest skaters held hands with parents, watching older children zoom around on the synthetic surface of the rink.

Moments after opening, the rink had drawn a crowd. Onlookers from the Santa Train at Northwest Railway Museum gathered along the fence to watch children and parents skate.

“It’s nice that they did this for the community,” said Tracie Smith, watching her daughter Gracie, 9, swirl excitedly. “It gets people outdoors, and it’s a great day.”

“It’s really fun,” said Gracie. She had the occasional fall. “I just get back up and start skating.”

The cost is $10 for skaters age 10 and older, $5 for children ages 3 to 9. The fee includes skate rental and a 45-minute skating session.

For the remainder of the week, the ice rink schedule is:

Wednesday, Dec. 17, open skate, 2:30 to 5 p.m.; family skate 6 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 18, open skate, 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19, open skate, 2:30 to 5 p.m.; family skate 6 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20, open skate, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; family skate, 6 to 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21, open skate, 1 to 4:30 p.m.; family skate, 6 to 9 p.m.

The following week, the rink moves to the basketball court at the Snoqualmie Ridge YMCA, 35016 S.E. Ridge St. Skate times are:

Tuesday, Dec. 23, open skate, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 24, open skate, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; holiday skate 6 to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 25, holiday skate, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 26, open skate, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; family skate, 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27, open skate, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; family skate, 6 to 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 28, open skate, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; family skate, 6 to 9 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 29, open skate, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 30, open skate, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; family skate, 6 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve skate, 1 to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day skate, 1:30 to 6 p.m.

Reservations are not required. All skaters must sign a waiver to participate; minors must provide a waiver signed by their parents or guardians. Children 10 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Download the waiver form from www.snovalley.org.