Ultimate Planning, Outfit & Fun Tips For An Ice Skating Date

A perfect ice skating date is one that is romantic, fun, and memorable where you let go of your skating insecurities and enjoy one another’s company.

An ideal ice skating date involves dressing in warm layers and choosing the right ice skates. During the date, you and your partner can hold hands, play ice skating games, or simply glide around the rink to romantic music.

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How to decide if going on an ice skating date makes sense?

Before we begin the planning process of an ice skating date, it is important to evaluate whether going on an ice skating date makes sense for you and your partner.

Both of you have zero ice skating experience

– Avoid going on an ice skating date altogether as the first time on ice is all about getting used to the feeling of being on skates, learning to stay stable, failing & falling.
– The first time on ice requires immense focus and concentration and the whole experience is hardly romantic.

If only one of you has some ice skating experience

– Go on an ice skating date only if both of you are comfortable with each other, have known each other for a while, or are in a steady relationship.
– If it’s your first date ever and only one of you has ice skating experience, the date won’t go as well. The one who has never been on skates before will be too self-conscious, and embarrassed to fall. The more experienced skater would either be too caring, too boastful, or just plain annoyed by the other person’s struggle to balance.

If both of you have some ice skating experience

If both of you can skate well enough – i.e. can stand upright, glide forwards and backward and stop – an ice skating date would be an excellent date idea.

It would probably even work as a first date if both of you love doing something engaging & fun instead of a regular romantic dinner.

How to plan an ice skating date – Complete Guide

Choose the right rink

The best rink for an ice skating date is one which
– has plenty of casual ice skaters (i.e. it is not full of professional skaters or skaters taking lessons)
– is big enough to not get crowded
– is affordably priced
– doesn’t need a booking too much in advance or allows a full refund
– provides rental skates and has sufficient availability of all sizes and types. (not required if you and your partner have your own skates)
– doesn’t get too hot or cold (especially windy outdoor rinks)
– has good beverage options
– is not too far away from where the two of you stay (unless you really want to be away from people you know!)

With the above factors in mind it is best to avoid an ice skating date at temporary Christmas rinks that get too crowded, campus rinks, or professional and expensive rinks.

Check for food and beverage options at the rink and nearby

A good couple of hours on the rink can leave you feeling hungry and dehydrated. It is best to also perform a quick study of the beverage options at the rink as well as of places around the rink where you and your date could go out for a post-skating meal.

Decide what to wear on an ice skating date

On a date, it is best to wear something that’s flattering and comfortable. But for an ice skating date, you need something that allows you to skate well first and then tick off other criteria.

I have an entire article on what to wear when ice skating as well as one on the best ice skating jackets. Read those for detailed information or go through the quick tips below.

For girls

Top

• A full-sleeved top + neck buff to cover your neck
• a turtle-neck or a mock-neck top

Bottoms

• athletic leggings (ideally ones that go over the skates)
• jeggings – if you want to look cute but want a better range of motion than jeans to facilitate gliding
• jeans – only you’re a beginner and aren’t really going to glide or move much.

Layers – opt for a body-hugging, nonbulky jacket. Choose

• a parka or a long jacket for outdoor rinks and harsh winters
• a fleece jacket for an indoor temperature-regulated rink
• a down jacket, if you’re not likely to get too warmed up

If you’re trying to make a good impression, wear a flattering jacket. Else choose one that keeps you adequately warm and is functional. The best bet is to wear a parka on a cold rink and then leave it out once skating warms up your body.

A few outfit ideas for a date

For guys

Guys should also primarily focus on being comfortable skating and for that reason they could wear

Top

• A full-sleeved shirt
• A hoodie
• A sweatshirt + neck buff
• A turtle neck (useful when it’s cold)

Bottoms

• sweat pants
• track pants
• athletic stretchable pants
• jeans – only if the movement is going to be limited

Layers

• fleece jacket
• full-sleeved jacket
• puffy down jacket

You may have to take off the jacket once your body warms up so make sure both the jacket and the layer under it make you look fairly attractive.

A few outfit ideas for a date

Choose the right skates

The most defining element of your date would be how you feel when you skate. That’s exactly why you must choose the right skates.

If you are a beginner – opt for figure skates instead of hockey skates as they are slightly thicker and easier to balance on.

Regardless of which type of skate you choose, check if the fit is correct. To do that

• choose the right size. It’s usually the same as your shoe size.
• try the skates with a pair of thin socks on. Your toe should almost touch the front end of the skating boot
• once you stand upright, check if the heel is touching the back end of the skating boot.
• tighten the laces and see if there is enough breathing room for your foot.

Try on your skates with your socks on.

Gloves & Socks

Wear gloves
– if the rink is too cold
– if you’re likely to fall frequently
You can hold your date’s hands with the gloves on or leave out the hand-holding for times when you’re not on the rink

Wear socks
– choose thin socks for better grip and control even if you’re wearing rental skates that tend to be uncomfortable

Things to do on an ice skating date

Start slowly by gliding and holding hands

The first thing to do on an ice skating date is to become comfortable with skating in the presence of each other. If both of you are experienced ice skaters, this would not be too big a challenge.

Once you get comfortable –

• try simple moves like gliding forwards, backward, etc
• hold hands while you do it
• skate around the rink

Play a few fun games

A date on an ice skating rink need not just be about holding hands and gliding, you could add some fun to it by playing games

• race against each other
• do a backward skating race
• show each other fun moves and challenge the other to not fall when trying these out

If you are having fun, get more intimate by going to a secluded area

If you find yourself having fun on the date, you could maybe sneak into a secluded area. Slow down. Talk to each other. Bond with each other. Basically, use the release of endorphins to your advantage.

Maybe even cuddle and get intimate. If you are at a rink that plays nice music, use it to get romantic.

Mix it up with occasional breaks

Ice skating dates can get very intense as
– ice skating is essentially a form of working out
– it requires a lot of focus and concentration

So you may find that even though you’re having fun, you aren’t getting time to bond with your date. If you find yourself in this spot, remember to take short breaks.
– You could simply stand on the side and get chatty.
– You could even step out for a cup of hot chocolate

Remember to use these breaks to not only recharge your body but to also connect with your date on ‘non-skating’ topics.

Bonus Tip: Get your pics clicked

Most ice skating dates go undocumented as there is nobody to click your picture.
But step outside the rink for a bit and ask a friendly stanger to click the picture of the two of you on a date.
Even a bad picture clicked by a stranger is enough to bring back memories of a fun ice skating date.

How to deal gracefully with falls on an ice skating date

If you fall during an ice skating date
– smile, brush it off and continue skating
– be honest and laugh about how you are struggling.
– if your date is better at skating, hold on to your date and get up. Let your date guide you around the rink.

If your date falls
– offer your hand to help him/her get up (only if you’re stable)
– don’t ridicule your date or make your date feel insecure or uncomfortable.
– check if he/she is hurt and take a small break if required

How to stay safe during an ice skating date

Staying injury-free on an ice skating date is very important for a memorable experience.
– Wear gloves to protect your hands if you’re likely to fall often
– Insist on a good fit of the skate. Don’t compromise on the fit at any cost
– Make sure your basics of ice skating are correct – bend your knees, keep your feet square under your shoulders, fall sideways and get up with minimal contact with the rink. You can read more about this in my article on how to learn ice skating by yourself here.

What to do after the date

A few simple ways in which you can take the date forward from the ice skating rink are

• Going out for dinner at a place of your choice
• Watching a movie with your partner

Frequently Asked Questions – Ice Skating Date

Is ice skating good for a date?

Ice skating is an excellent date idea. It lets you bond while you move around on skates, get goofy, hold hands, play ice skating games and be your own true self around each other.

Can you wear jeans on an ice skating date?

Jeans aren’t the most comfortable for ice skating. Yet lots of people wear jeans when ice skating. You can wear jeans on an ice skating date too to look good if you are not going to move around much or are comfortable gliding around in jeans.