PERSHING SQUARE ICE RINK

Technical Score: Level 2 +1 GOE for hourly "scraping"
Presentation Score: Level 2 + 3 GOE for palm trees, skyscrapers, and twinkly lights

Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles hosts a seasonal ice rink from November through January. I skated here to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday in 2007.

As far as seasonal rinks go, this one is pretty decent. The setting is quite nice, as the ice is surrounded by palm trees and twinkly lights, and skyscrapers surround the square. It is a seasonal rink, however, so skating on it is a bit like skating on plywood that's been hosed down and frozen. The surface was uneven and dipped dramatically around some of the edges. The ice was also much harder than any of the other surfaces I've been on. It was rather difficult to get an edge.

The ice is not freshly cut with a Zamboni, but every hour, a little cart drives around the ice and scrapes off the snow. The hourly "scraping" is good -- and muchly needed, since the rink can get very crowded -- but the "scraping" doesn't actually resurface the ice, so divots are left behind. Watch for ruts.

Something else to watch for is the inexperienced skater. Because Pershing is a seasonal rink, it attracts people who don't usually skate -- indeed, a lot of the people sharing the ice with you have likely never skated before in their lives -- so prepare for lots of teenagers racing one another, families or groups of friends skating hand-in-hand in a way that blocks the ice, people standing in clumps and visiting on the ice, and lots of people falling.

The sessions at Pershing are an hour each and cost $6 (skate rental is extra). I personally think that's a bit steep for an hour, considering that a lot of local public sessions are $7 for two hours or more.

Be warned that you really, really, really should put your stuff in a locker or have someone guarding your goods with his or her life. My friends witnessed a passer-by swiping some drinks from an unattended family picnic. If people are willing to steal drinks, they'll be more than willing to make off with your purse or skate bag. This little warning may seem obvious, but so many skaters are accustomed to stowing their bag under a bench, and they may forget that Pershing isn't home ice...it's downtown LA. Just be careful.

Parking at Pershing is awesome. You park in the subterranean structure beneath the square, whisk up the escalator, and you're there! Also, skaters can receive discounted parking when they validate their parking ticket at the rink.

In general, Pershing Square Ice Rink is a place where you skate for the experience. As long as you go there knowing that you won't be able to do any serious practicing and that the ice will probably be packed, you will probably have a pleasant time.

Photos by Sean Yoda Rouse...thanks, Sean!

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