New Hampshire Snow Sports

Ice Skating in Northern New Hampshire

Glide across an ice rink or a wind blown lake. It's almost like flying.

Skating has always been an important aspect of winter recreation and socialization in New Hampshire. Many a community would not be complete without its lighted skating rink on or near the town square. What better way to end a winter's day than to lace up a pair of ice skates and glide smoothly around the rink to classical music and then sip on a mug of steaming hot cocoa.

No skating rink? Do what the locals do. Find a pond or lake and skate untamed. Research your destination to source out ice skating possibilities.Enjoy but remember Ralph Waldo Emerson's prudent saying, "In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed." If you are skating on a lake or pond here are a few guidelines for ice safety from the NH Fish and Game's brochure "Safety on Ice":

• Never assume the ice-on any water body-is thick enough to support your weight. Check it! Start at the shoreline and, using an auger, spud or axe, make test holes at intervals as you proceed. As a rule of thumb, (for new, clear ice) there should be a minimum of 4 to 6 inches of ice to support a few, well-dispersed people; 6 to 7 inches for small, on-foot, group activities; and at least 8 to 10 inches for snowmobile activities. (Ice thickness recommendations are based on information from the Cold Regions Research Laboratory in Hanover, N.H.)
• If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, stay off. Don't go on the ice during thaws. Avoid honeycombed ice, dark snow and dark ice.
• Ice is generally thinner where there is moving water, such as at inlets and outlets, around wharves, bridge abutments, islands, and objects that protrude through the ice.

Ice skate in Northern NH

Below is a table of Skating Arenas and Ice-rinks in Northern New Hampshire (listed alphabetically by town).

last updated: 2004-02-04