12/11/2025
The colder the rink, the warmer the memories. ⛸️
The first ice skating rink in Yosemite National Park was built in 1929 in response to news that the park was being considered as a site for the 1932 Olympic Winter Games. Initially, the rink covered 60,000 square feet and was located in what is now the Curry Village parking lot. Being the coldest area in Yosemite Valley with little direct sunlight in winter, staff would flood the parking lot with water each night, allowing it to freeze overnight and be ready for skating by morning.
Although Yosemite didn’t host the Winter Games, Olympic speed skating tryouts for the West Coast were held at the Camp Curry rink. The rink also hosted a variety of special wintertime events, including figure skating exhibitions, curling, hockey games, winter carnivals, and even a tug-of-war competition.
In the 1970s, the ice rink was moved to the Curry Village Recreation Center, where it is still used by park visitors today. Skate rentals are available at the rink, along with a fire pit to warm icy toes while skaters enjoy views of Half Dome in the distance.
The ice-skating rink is open from mid-November to mid-March, conditions permitting.
