Curry Village Ice Skating Rink is in
Yosemite Valley
WELCOME TO YOSEMITEME!
WHAT TO DO
ICE SKATING
Price/Value
Skill Level
Supplies Needed
ICE SKATING
Accessibility
WHAT: Since 1928, the Curry Village open-aired, ice-skating rink in Yosemite has been providing memorable ice-skating experiences for visitors to the famed Valley. The rink incudes a skate rental program, temporary tent facilities for changing into skates, a fire pit to stay warm, music, and lights for night skating. Hot chocolate/s’mores can be purchased nearby at one of the local shops.
The ice rink’s location has changed over the years with its most recent move coming after the Merced River officially became part of the “National Wild and Scenic River System” under the Federal Legislation (final sign-off on the selected plan for mitigation occurred in 2014). The “selected plan” permitted a “seasonal” rink and required it be moved farther away from the Merced River corridor. In 2017, It was downsized and relocated closer to its parking lot. It still retains a shady position near the base of Glacier Point where the sun shines only about 30 minutes a day during the winter, which ensures cooler temperatures for the ice. Half Dome can also be viewed from the rink, adding to the picturesque mountain ambiance.
Although some believe the open-air rink no longer compares to its “glory days” when the rink was supersized (60,000 square feet) and nestled among the trees at a more permanent spot, the skating rink still provides a winter experience that will delight children, families, and adults who are aching for physical activity during the colder days and evenings of the winter months.
WHEN: Ice skating at Curry Village becomes available as weather permits, usually starting in late November/early December and going through early March (Phone number: (209) 372-8210).
Quick Glance
OPENS: Late November/
Early December.
CLOSES: Early March.
TIMES: Every Day (12 - 2:30, 3:30 - 6
pm & 7 - 9:30 pm).
Sat-Sun & Holidays add (8:30 am- 11 am)
PRICES: Adults/Seniors ($16)
Adult Season Pass
($150).
Children 12 and
under ($15.00)
Children Season
Pass ($100)
Skate Rental
($5.25); No charge
for Helmet.
WHERE: Curry Village
There are three 2 ½-hour-sessions Monday through Friday (12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm, and 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm).
Four 2 ½-hour-sessions are available on Holidays and Saturdays and Sundays (8:30 am to 11:00 am, 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm, and 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm).
WHERE: The Curry Village Ice Rink can be found near where Southside Drive and Northside Drive meet. If you are traveling eastward on Southside Drive from Bridalveil Fall, continue along Southside Drive for a few miles until you come to the first stop sign at Sentinel Bridge. Going left will take you to Yosemite Village and going straight will keep you on your way to “Curry Village and Campgrounds.”
Continue straight, bypassing Yosemite Village and the main parking area. As you continue east on Southside Drive, you will pass Housekeeping Camp on your left. Enjoy the ride through this part of the forest. Soon you will come to an intersection with a one-way a road to your left (Northside Drive) and Curry Village Drive to your right. Turn right. About 100 feet after turning right, you will see the Ice Rink Parking Lot on your right (see image below from Google Earth).
For the winter of 2022-23, two shuttle routes are in operation. The Valleywide Shuttle serves all stops in Yosemite Valley, including lodges (e.g., Ahwahnee Hotel and the Yosemite Valley Lodge), food service, campgrounds, and trailheads. Buses arrive every 12 to 22 minutes from 7 am to 10 pm. Round trip on this route takes about 1 ½ hours. The East Valley Shuttle route is limited to Yosemite Village, Curry Village, Pines campgrounds, and trailheads in eastern Yosemite Valley (i.e., it does not include the Ahwahnee Hotel and the Yosemite Valley Lodge). Buses arrive every 8 to 12 minutes from 7 am to 10 pm. Round trip on this route takes about 50 minutes.. See shuttle map here.
Photo Courtesy of Google Maps.
HOW & HOW MUCH: New for 2022-23 Season: Tickets can be purchased online and in-person on a first-come, first-served basis. For online purchases, go to TravelYosemite.com by clicking here. Provide your desired date and time in the "booking engine" to determine availability. Complete the remaining information if your skating session is available.
For "in-person" ticket purchases, they can be bought 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each session at the Curry Village Tour and Activity Desk adjacent to the Registration Office (so, go there first to make sure the rink has not reached capacity or you could spend time in line awaiting openings). No "in-person" reservations can be made.
For the winter of 2022/23, ticket Prices are as follows: Children 12 and under ($15 USD), Adults and Seniors ($16 USD). Season passes that allow for unlimited skating across sessions can be purchased for Children under 12 ($100 USD) and for Adults and Seniors ($150 USD).
Once you have your tickets, you will make about a 30-yard walk to the skate rental shop at the rink.
Skate rentals ($5.25), skate sharpening ($15), and helmets (no charge) are available at the rink.
HELPFUL LINKS: Under Construction.
