Giving up on skiing, thinking about skating

Andrew Slade Jan 22, 2012 11 Comments

Why even listen to the weather forecast? With the fizzle of yet another snow forecast into gray skies and brown ground, I’m about to give up hope on the cross country ski season. Time to pull out the ice skates and hit one of Duluth’s fine outdoor rinks.

Any recommendations about places to rent skates here in town?

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11 Comments

Conrad

about 11 years ago 

I've done the same.  I joined a beginner hockey league since there is no snow for skiing.  I just got some used skates for $60 bucks.  Is the mayor skate still on for today? Not that it matters if the Mayor is there, any free indoor time is much appreciated.

Paul Lundgren

about 11 years ago 

The annual Parks and Recreation skating party is indeed today -- Jan. 22, 3 to 5 p.m. -- at the DECC Arena. It's free and open to all ages. Kids under 10 must be accompanied by and adult. Bring your own skates.

Cookies provided by Old Country Buffet, music provided by Shelly's Mobile Music Machine, free door prizes for the kids, DECC concessions open. 

The last skating party of the season will be held on Sunday, Feb. 26, 3 to 5 p.m. in the DECC Arena.

bluenewt

about 11 years ago 

We bought Nordic touring skates this year and have been skating all over the St. Louis River. They're awesome. You can go for miles. They handle bumpy ice much better than my hockey skates. Nordic skating has been saving my sanity this snowless season.

Today we skated off the Barker's Island Marina, where the ice was smooth enough even for regular  skates. It was fun to skate around the boat slips. You could get a great game of pond hockey going there.

adam

about 11 years ago 

Tell me more of this Mobile Music Machine.

Conrad

about 11 years ago 

Shellie' s Mobile music machine is AKA a DJ.  

Don't know if the fact the guy had a wireless mic made it mobile or not. 

I had never skated before this year and it has been blast but I still miss Piedmont and Korkie.

Conrad

about 11 years ago 

Checked out those nordic skates and now I am in a dilemma.  They look super cool but I just can't dish that money out in short notice but I really want to.  Damn you.

heysme

about 11 years ago 

A few years ago Snowflake rented skates for a rink they had - haven't been there in quite some time so not sure if they still do.

bluenewt

about 11 years ago 

It's true, the Nordic skates are pricey. And you just know that as soon as you buy them, it'll finally snow and make the lakes and rivers unskatable. And they're not good for hockey - not maneuverable like that. But for distance skating, man, are they fun. 

We ordered Lundhags from NordicSkater.com. We also ordered Elite Ice Claws for in case we went through the ice. But we haven't yet.

kerc

about 11 years ago 

"It's true, the Nordic skates are pricey. And you just know that as soon as you buy them, it'll finally snow and make the lakes and rivers unskatable. "

So go ahead and put down the cash and save winter for the rest of us!



Also this has probably been covered BUT .... Play It Again sports has used skates that aren't half your paycheck. If you just want to skate you can get a decent pair for a decent price (usually).

brian

about 11 years ago 

I blame myself. I picked up a really nice pair of XC boots after using the same old boots for about 20 years. I've jinxed the season.

krlars2

about 11 years ago 

We just picked up a very adequate pair for $2.70 after trade in on the old pair at Play it Again for the 3 year old yesterday. A refreshing change from 13 year old hockey playing son. Adult sizes are more. But my husband found a rare pair that will fit his size 14s-reportedly cast off by a semi pro Russian hockey player for $25.

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