Submitted by emptydeath t3_zykepc in Connecticut
Does anyone have tips for finding places to ice skate in the outdoors? Lakes, ponds, etc.
Preferably on the Western side of Connecticut, but I’m open to anywhere.
If so, what’s the best way to determine if the surface is frozen enough for safe skating?
Oh yeah I’m well aware we haven’t had the winter temperature for the water to properly freeze. This is just in preparation! Or wishful thinking that we’ll get cold enough weather this year.
Thank you for the locations though! Very helpful.
When it gets cold enough people skate and ice fish on wethersfiel cove.
Great thank you!
Hidden pond or southford falls in Southbury. But you'll have to wait for an extended stretch of below freezing weather.
It's probably too far, but cranberry bog in East Hampton is good too. Has lights, a bonfire going usually, and police won't kick you out at sunset.
Those sound awesome! Southbury is close by, so that’s a great spot. I’ve also been to Cranberry Bog over the summer so I’m familiar with that area too. Thank you so much!
If Southbury is close. Middlebury also has a couple skating ponds that the town takes care of, if you see ice hockey goals out and it's ploweded it should be ok to skate (neither is deep enough to be a huge issue if you fall through 3f or so).
Perfect thanks!
Not sure if there are any other spots like the Lebanon Town Green. It’s only a few inches deep because it’s just a blocked pipe that overflows onto the field and it’s frozen solid already. Edit: I just saw this was mentioned already.
Thank you! Still appreciate the comment
Great Pond in Massacoe State Forest in Simsbury. I saw quite a few people skating there last winter.
Thank you!
Lake Winnemaug in Watertown can be pretty nice. You know the ice is thick enough when you see the ice fishing! Parking (and a porta-san) and picnic tables/public access off Lake Winnemaug Road.
Sounds like a nice spot! Thank you :)
Far from you, but the town green in Lebanon, CT, is a giant field, part of which the town floods each winter. It's only like six inches deep to begin with, so it stays pretty frozen. It's a big space and it's in the middle of a huge field, surrounded by old farm houses and pastures. If you don't find anything else. Could be an option.
That sounds so picturesque. Thank you so much!
Google “Ice thickness safety”
Will do! Thanks
Winter fest in hartford has a free skating ring right now.
Awesome thank you :)
Pretty far from you but Sunset Pond in Essex is small and freezes quickly- there were people skating on it a few days ago but doubt with the recent warm weather it's safe
Thank you so much! Yeah I definitely have to wait until it’s significantly colder before skating, but it’s good to have some places on my radar
The pond at Rams Pasture in Newtown gets pretty busy on nice days. It was actually pretty packed after the super cold we had last week.
Great thank you!
Butterworth reservoir in north end of Hamden. In years past I’ve played pond hockey on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! Unfortunately it is not nearly cold enough. Some friends apparently played on a pond in Middlefield during the Xmas deep freeze. Idk how that was possible. Butterworth was not frozen at all. Two swans were floating around out there when I looked.
Sounds perfect! Thank you!
just go to a legit outdoor ice skating rink I dunno about that wild/natural idea you have in your head
DungareeManSkedaddle t1_j26clfo wrote
It hasn’t been cold enough. Growing up we’d skate on the duck pond in Milford center, but we need a few weeks of deep cold before it’d be safe.
There’s also Ryder’s pond in Orange.