Take flight on ice

After skating competitively most of her adolescent life, Susan Burns quit the sport at age 23.

She was inspired to skate again eight years later after watching her former training mate Rudy Galindo rise to skating fame. Living in Rock Springs, Wyo., at the time, she headed down to the local rink.

"I did some jumps and spins in rental skates, and they asked me to coach," she said.

She later moved to Cheyenne, Wyo., but when her husband died in 2003, she moved to Carson City to be closer to her parents.

She coached in Lake Tahoe some, but was excited to hear Carson City was opening a rink this winter.

"It gives teenagers something to do other than casinos or bowling alleys," she said. "It's an opportunity to do something physical and have fun."

Burns is once again lacing up her skates to pass the skill on.

She offers a variety of lessons. Group lessons are $15 for a 25-minute lesson and include the skate session afterward, along with the skate rental and a beverage.

"It's a great deal," she said.

For children 3 to 5, she offers a special class with parents. Children 6 and older can take the skate lesson alone.

Private lessons also are available.

She said it often takes children more than one attempt to figure it out. She said parents should not get discouraged if their children don't learn right away.

"From 3 to 8, the inner ear is still developing," she said. "It takes them a while to find their balance."

She said parents should put their children in helmets as they learn to skate.

The 56-by-85-foot Arlington Square Ice Rink, across from the Carson Nugget at the corner of North Carson and Spear streets, was built by Ice Rink Events.

It opened Dec. 4 during the city's annual Silver & Snowflake Tree Lighting Ceremony and will remain open until Feb. 16. The city has agreed to partner with the Nugget to pay half of the $134,000 cost.

The rink is offering some special events in the coming months. Ice Disco, which was originally just going to be Friday nights in December, are being extended through January and February.

"The ones we have had have been a lot of fun," said Tammy Westergard, deputy director of the office of business development.

They also will be continuing the Sunday Afternoon Skate, 1-3 p.m. Sundays, featuring country music from the '50s through '70s.

A new offering is Just For Winter Lovers. Couples pay $25 and receive front-of-the-line access. The pair will have the ice to themselves for two songs. Westergard said it would serve as a creative way to propose, celebrate an anniversary or apologize.

Couples can add on dinner with partnering restaurants, arrange for a bouquet of flowers to be delivered or a carriage ride.

It will be offered in January and February.

Burns, who is a member of Ice Force, a committee to bring a permanent ice rink to the area, said Carson City would be an ideal site.

"I compare Carson City to Cheyenne. They're similar size and both state capitals," she said. "Cheyenne has a permanent ice facility that is doing really well.

"It would be awesome if Carson City had one."

- Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.

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Other ice rinks

Rink at Northstar

The 900-square-foot rink is the centerpiece of the Village at Northstar and is by fire pits and seating areas.

Admission is free. Skate rentals are $5. The rink is open daily 1-8 p.m. Every Tuesday, from 5-8 p.m., the DJ will be playing '70s and '80s music for Turtleneck Tuesdays. Visit northstarattahoe.com/ info/ski/the-village/village-activities.asp or call 530-562-3689.

Squaw Valley's

Olympic Ice Pavilion

For gliding on what feels like the top of Tahoe, skaters can go to Squaw Valley's Olympic-sized Ice Pavilion, located at High Camp at 8,200 feet.

Skaters will need to take Squaw's cable car to reach the ice.

The pavilion is open year-round. Winter hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursdays and until 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Skating lessons are available. Cost for a cable car ride, skating and skate rental is $27 for adults, $23 for juniors 13-18, $15 for children under 12. There are also evening discounts. Visit squaw.com/ winter/olyicepav.html or call 530-581-7246 for information.

Truckee Regional Park

On Highway 267 near Brockway Road, the rink features a large outdoor rink during the winter. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children; skate rental is $2 a day. Locals get a $1 discount. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Visit tdrpd.com/regional

_park.htm or call 530-587-6172.

Village at Heavenly

Call 530-542-4230 for more information.

Resort at Squaw Creek

Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Adults are $15, youth under 16 are and children under $12 are $8. Rentals are included in the admission price.

Visit www.squawcreek.com/lake-tahoe-family-vacations.php or call 530-583-6300 ext 6802.

South Tahoe Ice Arena

South Lake Tahoe Parks and Recreation Department has an indoor arena offering hockey and ice skating lessons.

Cost per session is $9 for adults, $8 for youth and seniors, and $6 for children under 5. Skate rentals are $3. Call 530-542-6262 for session times. Visit recreationintahoe.com/ice_arena for more information.

Reno Rink on the River

In downtown Reno along the Truckee River, the rink is on the site of the former landmark Mapes Hotel, which was imploded Jan. 30, 2000.

Hours vary, opening at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for youth and seniors. Rentals are $2. Punch cards are also available.

Visit www.cityofreno.com/

Index.aspx? page=1622 or call 775-334-2262.