When you think of winter in Rochester, you think of quite a bit. One of those things is ice skating. Now, there are plenty of places to skate, but the ice at RIT stands out, both in quality and in price.
I've never been known as a skater, but this year I got some good quality skates and decided it was time to learn for real. RIT's Ritter Arena has flexible hours and good quality ice. I'm definitely not trying to do any fancy jumps or spins, but plenty of people are, and they do so in the middle of the rink. I'm on the perimeter, learning how to go forward. The rink can get crowded, but the RIT crowd is good about keeping a clear path and not rough housing. For $3 admission, I can go forward to my heart's content during open skate hours. If you need to rent skates, it's only an additional $3, which is a steal. (FYI, as of this review, the website still says $5 for general admission, but a week ago I paid $3. Still better than most rinks.)
The ice is good quality, which is great for me as a beginner. While rinks get plenty of skate ruts over time, I never feel like I'm going to get caught in one. I've never felt as though the ice is too thin. The staff is helpful and will tell you if you're being unsafe, and when open skate ends, they will cut the music and guide you off the ice, which is less of a shock than slamming on the buzzer, like other rinks do.
One day, I will be able to skate forward, maybe even go backward. For now, I will keep practicing at RIT. Watch out for that toe pick! read more