Ice Cube

If there is something I’m not good at it’s Ice Skating. Okay, there are many things I’m not good at but to take not being good to another level, then ice skating is it. That’s not to say I’m not partial to it from time to time and for me the perfect time to get bruised and cold is the annual opening of Ice Cube.
It’s the outdoor rink for Leeds, set in Millennium Square, and it is so much more fun than the indoor alternatives in other nearby cities. I always feel like I could be in Germany, Holland or somewhere where they love lederhosen and bratwurst. It’s skating done the continental way.
Obviously, you can hire out the skates and they have various skating times for groups, schools and people who just want to hang out. You are also in prime position to then hot foot it to one of the bars nearby to warm up. I recommend a dash to Epernay, because after you’ve been on ice you should sample some Champagne that has been on ice. That’s what I tell myself anyway. Excellent fun for the kids, big kids and seriously big big kids.

It’s baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaack!!! Nicely coinciding with the return of Dancing on Ice, Millennium Square’s annual Ice Cube hath returned. It’s nice to see the Millennium Square space turned so easily into a large stomping ground for amateur skaters.
I realise that since early December we’ve had some serious snow, with seemingly more to come, but the novelty of outdoor skating rinks rarely wears off. Plus this one actually looks safe, unlike some I’ve seen where there are hearty pools of wet located mid skate flow like potholes in the road. There’s a decent size to skate around too, the last few I’ve been to in surrounding areas haven’t been conducive to multiple persons gliding around, and there was definitely no room for a triple salchow, and plus points include, plenty of room to watch your friends and family skate around and fall on their backsides, and if it’s a typical winter’s day, there is a purpose built pavilion and café. It looks kinda special at night time, all lit up with multi coloured spots, very nice three month addition.
Is it free to participate? Nope. Adults will pay £8.50 for between an hour or 90 minutes on the ice, depending on what time you arrive, kids, £6.50, students £7.50, and prices include skate hire but not locker hire. Depending on your perspective it’s either a rip off or a bargain, but I think it’s great. If you avoid Saturdays when all kidlets are off school, you can get a good dance around the ice pretty person free.

Apparently in it’s 10^th year running the ‘ice cube’ in Millennium Square provides show-​offs and novices and distinct change to weekend revelries. Crammed with cheery circling friends, prancing pros and courting couples attempting to hold hands there is also a wee baby rink for smaller inexperienced people.
I got a lovely view of all these happenings from atop o’ the Carriageworks on Friday night. There is also a small exhibition about the melting polar circle around the edge too.