The Winter Ice Palace is returning to Cloverdale.
The unique annual skating experience will open this week at Cloverdale Arena and run for three weeks until Jan. 5. This is the 25th year The Barn will be transformed into a winter wonderland to welcome skaters over the Christmas season.
The City of Surrey announced the return of popular ice hall in a press release Dec. 10.
"This holiday season the Winter Ice Palace is celebrating a milestone of 25 years of family fun in Surrey,” Mayor Brenda Locke said in the release. “A cherished holiday tradition, the Winter Ice Palace is a magical and affordable experience for all ages.”
She added the palace opens Dec. 14.
“I invite everyone to lace up the skates and join us at Surrey’s own enchanting winter playground.”
To celebrate a quarter century, the city is hosting a special kick-off event Saturday, Dec. 14, at The Barn with food trucks, giveaways and holiday music. There will be two skating sessions that day: one from 1 - 2:30 p.m. and the next one from 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Each year, the arena is festooned with an array of festive lights, Christmas Trees, and Christmas decorations, transforming The Barn into a glitzy, pond-style skating experience for patrons.
Palace-goers will need to register ahead of time for any of several daily 90-minute skating sessions. The ever-popular sessions will be open for registration up to three days in advance of the ice times.
The city offers the limited capacity registration process so participants are guaranteed ice time. It also "reduces congestion" for an enhanced experience, according to the city.
Skating costs $5 per person, but is free for Surreyites with an annual recreation pass or Family Fun pass—although registration is still required. Skaters can bring their own gear or rent skates and helmets onsite.
Santa Claus will visit Dec. 21 when he’ll swap out his black boots for a pair of blades during three “Skate with Santa” sessions, one from 1:30 - 3 p.m., another from 3:30 - 5 p.m., and the final skate from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
“Attendees are encouraged to wear an ugly holiday sweater while they skate and take photos,” notes the release.
Session registration can be done in three ways: online through surrey.ca/parks-recreation/activities-registration; by phone, 604-501-5100; or by visiting any city recreation facility.
Parks and Rec. is also booking the ice palace for private rentals, such as Christmas and birthday parties. Call 604-501-5877, for more info.
The 2024 ice palace will be the 25th incarnation of the “annual” event, which started 27 years ago in 1997. The event was cancelled in 2020 because of COVID and in 2021 because the city was short-staffed.
The Cloverdale Arena is located at 6090 176th Street on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
For more info, and a full list of skating times, visit surrey.ca and search “Ice Palace.”
