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The valley has one outdoor rink downtown and a handful of indoor rinks that run public skate sessions all winter. Here is where to go, and what each one is good for.
The city's outdoor rink sits in the middle of the Gallivan Center plaza, surrounded by downtown towers. It opens in mid-to-late November and stays open into early March, weather permitting. No reservation is needed for public skate.
The Oval was built for the 2002 Winter Olympics and still trains speed skaters. Public skating runs on its big indoor oval for most of the year, which means far more room per skater than a hockey rink.
Salt Lake County's rink in Murray Park runs public skate sessions most days, with skate rentals on site. It is a straightforward, affordable place to learn.
The county's West Valley City rink runs public skate sessions with rentals and free helmet loans. It is the closest indoor rink for much of the west side.
This county facility near the University of Utah has an indoor ice rink with public skating on a first-come, first-served basis. It is the easiest indoor option for east side and downtown skaters.
The rink on the bottom floor of the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center has run public skating since 1975. It offers seal-shaped skate aids for kids under 8, which makes first laps a lot easier.
Pick the outdoor rink for the experience and an indoor rink for the skating. The Gallivan Center rink downtown is the one with city lights and music, and it is where people go on dates. It is small and gets busy on weekend nights. The indoor rinks are quieter, have more ice per skater, and run public sessions year-round on a schedule that changes week to week.
If you want to say you skated where Olympians raced, go to the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, which was built for the 2002 Winter Games. For little kids learning, the county rinks in Murray and West Valley City and the Cottonwood Heights rink are easier. Every rink posts its public skate times online, and they move around for hockey and figure skating, so check the day you go.
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