Olympic Ice Pavillion High Camp

My first ice skating experience was here! And I have to say, this has got to be the best to have your first at! The views are spectacular! Luckily when I went, there weren’t that may people in the rink. So I was able to take my time and not be embarrassed at how odd I was on the ice. I don’t know if this is common for all ice skating rinks, but since I was skating at the edges the whole time, my skates would get caught on chunks of ice. It would have helped to balance more easily on flat ice. The facility inside is pretty nice. They provide lockers for you to keep your knick knacks in. And the floor is padded all the way to the bathrooms and the stalls. This is very convenient in that you don’t have to fuss changing out of your skates.

After a death-​defying gondola ride and walking through what seemed like an endless maze, I finally ended up at the skating rink that I’d heard so much about at Squaw Valley.
All of the raves were well deserved. This open air ice rink sits atop a mountain and is honestly one of the most amazing rinks I’ve ever seen. It may not be the biggest, but it is definitely tops on my list for the best view.
Circling the rink feeling the ice cold wind in your hair is honestly one of the best feelings in the world. I used to be a skater and getting back on the ice in such an amazing setting was priceless.
I definitely have a beef with the rental gear however. Rental skates (whether figure skates or hockey) are always known for being shitty, but these were EXTRA shitty. The wear and tear was evident by the cracking noise that my boots were making every time I pushed off on one foot. They need to maintain the skates better and purchase new one’s more often.
Next time I’m coming with my own skates in tow…
Staff is helpful, seemed friendly and of course, who can forget the Zamboni driver — he honestly has the best job around!
Try the after hours skating which I think starts at 4pm… it’s only $ 15 for the gondola pass and all skating fees including rentals! Pretty sweet deal!