Winter fun: Here’s where to skate, ski, snowboard and sled in Las Vegas

By Kailyn Brown

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Although it may not look like Christmas in the Southern Nevada desert, the onset of temperatures in the 30s is at least making it feel like the holiday season.

From ice-skating rinks to skiing and sledding sites in the mountains just 45 minutes away, Las Vegas has several offerings to help you get into the holiday spirit. Here’s a rundown of some of Las Vegas’ locations for winter fun.

Ice skating

• Winter Wonderland

For those who prefer to stay indoors for ice skating, the Las Vegas Ice Center offers holiday public skating sessions for $10, including skate rental, and $6 for children 5 and under.

The ice rink’s ninth-annual Winter Wonderland event includes three-hour skate sessions from Dec. 19 to Jan. 3. The Las Vegas Ice Center also offers free ice-skating classes for beginners on specific days.

Public skating sessions are open from 9 a.m. to noon, 12:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. The center is located at 9295 W. Flamingo Road.

Click here for more information.

• SoBe Ice Arena

When hockey players aren’t barreling down the ice, the Fiesta Rancho resort holds public ice skating and classes at the SoBe Ice Arena for everyone to enjoy.

The property's 31,000-square-foot rink offers public ice skating for $7 ($3 skate rental charge), which is one of the cheapest rates in town. Public skating hours range daily, but are generally in the afternoons and evenings.

Because the skating rink is indoors, it is open year-round, making it a go-to place to cool down, especially during the warm months. When skaters are ready to take a break from the ice, they can play at the arcade at the arena.

The SoBe Ice Arena is located at 2400 N. Rancho Drive.

More information is available here.

• Rock Rink at Downtown Summerlin

Need a place to take the kids while you finish last-minute Christmas shopping? Downtown Summerlin’s Rock Rink might be the perfect place for you. Located near Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., the outdoor ice rink features a real-ice surface that covers more than 7,000 square feet.

The Rock Rinkopened Nov. 20 and will be open through Jan. 18. Ice-skating hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Skating is $15 and includes skate rental.

While you’re there, you can also take photos with Santa Claus and enjoy a holiday parade on certain days.

• The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan celebrates the holiday season by transforming its Boulevard pool into a 4,200-square-foot real-ice skating rink.

The outdoor rink also features man-made snow showers to add to the holiday cheer and winter wonderland experience. Guests can also warm up by the fire pits, roast s’mores and enjoy specialty cocktails.

The Ice Rink is open through Jan. 3. All-day skating passes are $10 for locals and $15 for visitors, plus a $5 skate rental fee. There’s also an optional $10 skating aid rental fee.

The Ice Rink also hosts special events on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Skiing, snowboarding & sledding

• Lee Canyon ski resort

A day in the snow is within a one-hour car ride from Las Vegas. Located in Lee Canyon near the Mount Charleston Resort, the site formerly known as the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort offers a snow experience with tubing, snowboarding and skiing.

Snow tubing starts at $16.99 and is offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-day ski passes are $43.99. To take it to the next level, riders can purchase the one-day snow experience package for $82.99, which includes an all-day unrestricted lift pass plus a choice of skis, boots and poles, or a snowboard, bindings and boots. Helmet and protective clothing are not included.

There’s also a full-day program for kids ages 3 to 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program includes coaching, rentals and lunch for $93.99. Discounts are available for all of the packages.

Complimentary coaching is available for all on the slopes at Rabbit Peak. The resort is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Sunday at 6725 Lee Canyon Road. More information is available here.

• Sledding at Mount Charleston

You can also go sledding at Mount Charleston at the cheapest price in town — free.

There are several places to sled down the mountain, but the best place is Lee Canyon. Other spots include Lee Meadows, Bristlecone Trail for snowshoe hiking and various pullouts on Deer Creek Highway and Lee Canyon Road.

For information, click here.

Did you know other locations for winter fun? Tell your fellow readers about them by leaving a comment below.