Gliding around Bozeman

While many Bozemanites and MSU outdoor-minded bums alike love to indulge in downhill skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, ice climbing and snowmobiling in these long winter months, I am left to wonder why more people aren’t interested in ice skating. A wonderful sport and hobby that combines grace, strength, skill and passion, ice skating is accessible at a low cost to any student looking for a less time-consuming way to spend a chilly afternoon after class.

There are a plethora of locations around the greater Bozeman area to skate throughout the winter. Stephanie Shepherd, a freshman studying English writing, told the Exponent that she has been really impressed with the sheer amount of available ice skating locations around Bozeman since moving here. “Bozeman has lots of opportunities for both amateur and experienced ice skaters,” Shepherd said. “City parks like Bogert, South Side and Beall contain outdoor rinks, and the Haynes Pavilion at the fairgrounds has plenty of open skate times for casual skaters. For more dedicated skaters, on the other hand, the Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association has learn-to-skate programs, as well as hockey teams for all ages. The Bozeman Figure Skaters Club is another option for those looking to take private lessons or compete.”

Through the ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program (ORP), MSU students can rent skates for periods of two days at a time — from Monday-Wednesday, Wednesday-Friday or Friday-Monday. There are DBS Blitz Skates available for $4 for two days of skating, DBS Cougar Skates also available for $4 for two days of skating or Jackson Ice Skates available for $5 for two days of skating.