Skating and Shinny
From premier event and entertainment venues to outdoor ponds, there is something for everyone who loves skating in Medicine Hat.
Skating
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, skating is a great way to stay active, have fun, and keep the winter blues at bay!
Play Skate |
For kids 6 and under to skate safely and have fun! We provide skate mates and toys that for kids to have fun with and to encourage skating. If requested, we provide small hockey nets on half the ice so that parents can teach kids how to shoot or skate with their own hockey stick. |
Public Skating |
The Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat proudly sponsors free public skating times for our city. We invite all members of our community and visitors to enjoy these free public skating opportunities. To ensure the safety of all skaters, hockey sticks and pucks are not allowed on ice during Public Skating. |
Adult Skating |
Strap on the skates for a few leisurely laps! Adults over the age of 18 only please. Please respect all staff, the facility, and each other. |
Drop-In Hockey (Shinny)
Purchase a regular facility admission for entry to shinny, and you’ll also receive access to the entire Big Marble Go Centre! Drop-in hockey is free for Big Marble Go Centre passholders.
Youth Drop-In Shinny |
This is a supervised game of hockey for youth, ages 8-12, during school breaks. Skaters will be split into two groups, 8-10 years and 11-12 years whenever possible. Both age groups may be combined in certain instances. |
Pre-Senior (ages 50-60) and Senior (age 61 and up) |
Show off your dangles and dekes in a friendly game of pick-up hockey for the older adults. |
Keep it Safe |
Equipment, including a helmet, is mandatory. Please respect arena personnel and each other. Pay at the front desk prior to entering the arena. Goalies play for free! |
Outdoor Rinks and Ponds
Outdoor rinks, monitored by city staff, are typically open from December to March, are weather dependent, and rely on volunteers through the Adopt-a-Rink program to assist in making these spaces operational. Outdoor rinks give residents an economical option for fun recreational winter activities.
January 2024 Update: The ice conditions are listed on the Facilities Map and updated weekly. Residents should check signage at the skating surface location for more information before using the ice. Do not skate on the ponds unless they are a minimum six (6) inches in thickness.
Adopt-a-Rink program
Thank you to our incredible volunteers who made the 2022/2023 'Adopt a Rink' program a success! Now, as we enter the 2024 winter season, we need YOUR help to keep the magic alive!
Why Volunteer?
- Be a part of something bigger and join a community of individuals dedicated to bringing winter joy to their local neighborhoods.
We supply:
- Shovels, chippers, hoses
- Training
- Some snow removal
We ask:
- Build ice
- Shovel when necessary
- Flood when necessary
2024 Adopt-a-rink applications are now closed. Please note that city staff will assist with some snow removal, dependent on the amount, once trails are cleared.
Adopt-a-rink Volunteer Feature
Local resident Ryan Davison takes pride in maintaining the outdoor rink in Kiwanis Central Park through the Adopt-a-rink program.
Ice Rentals
The City of Medicine Hat operates five arenas with a total of six ice surfaces.