7 Tips for Ice Skating at Kings Island’s WinterFest

At the focal point of the holiday activities at Kings Island’s WinterFest is a lavishly decorated International Street, with the replica 314-foot tall Eiffel Tower transformed into one of the world’s largest Christmas tree displays.

The gigantic tree overlooks International Street and Royal Fountain, transformed into Snow Flake Lake for ice skating.

Skating on one of the most picturesque and largest outdoor ice skating rinks in the Midwest (the ice surface is 240 feet long and 78 feet wide) is a quintessential experience at WinterFest.

Here are seven insider tips to save you time before hitting the ice:

1. To deliver the best ice skating experience, a limited number of tickets are sold for each of the 90-minute sessions. Snow Flake Lake ice skating tickets are available online only.
2. All guests planning to ice skate must complete a waiver. Save time by filling out your ice skating waiver in advance. Guests under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian complete a waiver on their behalf. All guests under the age of 10 must be accompanied on the ice by a supervising companion that is 14 years of age or older.
3. There are three ice skating session times to choose from: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. You cannot leave the ice rink and re-enter within your skate session.
4. Ice skating is unlimited during your session time. Make sure you allow extra time for turning in your voucher, signed waiver and for skate fitting before you hit the ice.
5. There is no additional charge to get your ice skates at the Ice Skating Rental booth located on International Street. You will be directed from this location on where to enter the ice skating platform. If you brought your own skates, just ask a park associate on International Street where you should enter the ice skating platform.
6. Lace your skates for comfort and ankle support. You don’t want your feet to free compressed and your toes unable to move. Don’t lace too tight at the bottom of the skate. Secure your ankle firmly, but make sure you can still bend your ankle. Secure the knot so it will not become unlaced while skating.
7. Be sure to wear warm clothes, dressing for the weather.

WinterFest is open select nights Nov. 25 through Dec. 31. Discover the biggest savings on tickets online. 

To help make the most of your night at WinterFest, download Kings Island’s mobile app for iPhone and Android. The app has everything you need to step into a world of holiday fun at your fingertips.