Opinion

Students debate on how to have the best ice-skating experience

Ariella Legatt, Reporter • Jan 27, 2026

The village meridian showcases their beautiful outdoor ice skating rink during the holidays. Many go to have fun with their family, friends or loved ones for a great outdoor activity.

As the winter season rolls around, so do all the fun winter activities. Ice skating is one of the most popular and anticipated activities to do in the wintertime. Many students here at Eagle High express their love of ice skating, but the real debate is whether indoor or outdoor ice skating gives skates the better experience.

“I love both, but if I had to choose, I would choose outdoor because I think it gives you a more real experience of nature and feels like you are on a frozen lake or something which is always fun,” said junior Leighton Archer.

Some people like to go skating over frozen lakes and ponds, or there are outdoor man-made ice rinks that can make skating safer and more accessible for those who want to go. The feeling of being outside while ice skating, especially if it’s snowing out can be a magical feeling.

Indoor skating has its benefits too and some like to enjoy the warmth of no breezes while skating.

“I think indoor ice skating is more fun because it feels more secure and its usually warmer since there isn’t any wind, which I really like, and it helps me enjoy it more when I’m not freezing,” said junior Lauren Damiani.

During the wintertime, many find it enjoyable to visit their local ice skating rinks. The Village at Meridian provides a beautiful outdoor rink that many enjoy. (Auggie Marx)

Some of the most popular outdoor ice-skating rinks in Idaho include Sun Valley Outdoor Ice Rink and Stanley Ice Rink. More local options include Caldwell Ice Arena and the Village at Meridian. These are all famously loved by many because of the unique experiences they all have. The Sun Valley Rink provides beautiful views of Payette Lake while Stanley Ice Rink offers breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Caldwell Ice Arena and has late-night ice-skating sessions on Friday and Saturday nights. Though they are all popular for different reasons, they all offer amazing experiences.

The most popular indoor ice-skating destination in Idaho is Idaho Ice World. This offers a wide range of activities and features for families and parties and is in Boise. Other rinks like Frontier Ice Area located in Coeur d’Alene and Manchester Ice and Event Centre in McCall are also loved by many.

Both experiences have different reasons why they are good and it’s all up to the person skating to decide what their favorite is. The students of Eagle High seem to agree that overall, both are fun options.

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About the Contributors

Ariella Legatt, Reporter

Hi! My name is Ariella Legatt, and I am a Junior at Eagle High School. This is my first year being a member of the newspaper staff and I could not be more excited. I love to go on hikes and to go camping. I am looking forward to getting to know my fellow staff and getting to know more students and teachers here at Eagle High!

Auggie Marx, Photographer

Hi, my name is Auggie Marx, and I am a sophomore here at Eagle High. This is my first year on the newspaper staff and I’m so thrilled. I’m on the cheer team for Eagle high and in my free time, I like to play guitar, listen to music, and hang out with friends!