Embedded Files
Maps
Maps
Maps of known places to skate in the Burlington area (skating on water and cross training on paths are both included). Thanks to Matt Sommervile for the initial work on the ice skating map.
This is in no way comprehensive, nor does it provide any details about real time access or ice status. Do your own research and planning using external resources such as the websites on the Research page and relevant Google list-serv and Facebook groups before any trip and scout carefully once you're on site. Let us know if we're missing your favorite spot(s)!
Skating Details
Skating Details
These are the highlights of some of our favorites places to skate with description of access and specific points. No real-time conditions will be reported on this site.
Maintained Wild Ice
Maintained Wild Ice
Natural bodies of water with the surface maintained by volunteers, municipalities, and/or businesses (i.e. plowing, shoveling snow). There may be signs saying whether it is "open" or not. Whether or not it is "open", assume all rules for skating on wild ice.
Natural bodies of water with the surface maintained by volunteers, municipalities, and/or businesses (i.e. plowing, shoveling snow). There may be signs saying whether it is "open" or not. Whether or not it is "open", assume all rules for skating on wild ice.
Arthur Park Sea Caves, Burlington
Burlington Parks and Rec and volunteers shovel a skating trail, figure skating rink, and a hockey rink. If you're into geology, the sea cave is worth the trip from further afield.
Access and updates via Burlington Parks and Rec website as well as their social media accounts.
https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/parks-recreation-waterfront
Mallets Bay via Fish & Wildlife Access, Colchester
Every year, the area is plowed for a hockey tournament planned for this area (unfortunately, it has been cancelled a few years due to the warm weather). Additionally, there has been times that the area has been shoveled for different winter racing events.
Link to hockey tourney here.
What winter racing event is it?
Hero's Welcome, North Hero
There is a skating trail and a hockey rink plowed by volunteers with lights and music. When you're cold and hungry, Hero's Welcome is an amazing general store with a fine selection of treats to keep you going.
https://heroswelcome.com/
Gilbrook, Winooski
The small upper pond is shoveled by a group of volunteers for ice skating and hockey.
Website?
Wild Ice
Wild Ice
Natural bodies of water shaped by mother nature. Access, ice quality, and safety will need to be assessed on your own.
Natural bodies of water shaped by mother nature. Access, ice quality, and safety will need to be assessed on your own.
Shelburne Pond, Shelburne
Easy parking and access via the boat launch. Great place for earlier season
Colchester Pond, Colchester
Easy parking and short walk down to the boat launch. Great place for earlier season.
Inner Mallets Bay, Colchester
Big ice. The inner bay freezes before the outer bay. Inner Bay has 2 access points: (1) Bayside Park parking lot and cross the street at the light to walk down to the water and (2) Mallet's Bay Fishing Access parking and boat launch. There is a pressure ridge starting at Marble Island that bisects the inner and outer bay.
Outer Mallets Bay, Colchester
Big ice. There is usually a pressure ridge starting at Marble Island that bisects the inner and outer bay. The outer bay can be accessed by parking at the south side parking strip of Sand Bar State Park. There is also a pressure ridge at Robinson point before you're able to access the expanse of the outer bay. Alternatively, the bay can be accessed from the Causeway State Park in Colchester but there is a 1/4 mile approach.
Shelburne Bay, Shelburne
Easy parking and access via the boat launch. Also accessible via Red Rocks Park with about 1/4 mile hike to the beach. Generally freezes later in the season than Mallett's Bay or the Inland Sea
Leddy Beach, Burlington
Park at Leddy Beach Parking, cross the bike path, walk down the stairs to the water. Leddy Beach rarely freezes smooth as it is close to the broad lake with the east/west winds, but when it does freezes it is small but glorious!
Saint Albans Bay, Saint Albans
Park at St Albans Bay Town Park, walk down to the water. Pressure ridge at Hathaway point. The smoothness may deteriorate as you approach Lazy Lady Island.
Maquam Bay, Swanton
Park at Swanton Beach parking. There will be some rough ice due to the west facing area.
Keeler Bay, South Hero
Easy parking and access via the Keeler Bay Access Area.
Burlington Waterfront
Generally a late-season location to skate. The Breakwater provides enough protection to allow the area near the boat house and south to freeze
Southern Lake Champlain
South of Charlotte, there are several stretches of the lake that freeze early in the season. DAR State Park and Crown Point are likely spots
Dead Creek WMA
A long protected, slow flowing creek/slough that freezes early in the season. Multiple access areas are present along the creek
Inland Sea - BIG ice. Due to it's expanse, we decided to dedicate a whole section to it.
Apple Island Marina, South Hero
Easy parking and access via the boat launch. Water is shallow and semi-protected from the prevailing winds
Hero's Welcome, North Hero
Park at Hero's Welcome or the community center parking lot. Walk across the street and down the ramp to the water. This location is an excellent place to get lunch or a hot drink after a skate
Holcomb Bay Access Area, Isle La Motte
Park at the fishing access area, walk to the water.
Stoney Point Access Area, Isle La Motte
Park at access, walk to the water. This is a shorter distance to check off the "skate from VT to NY" bucket list, but likely pretty bumpy ice.
Indoor Skating Rinks
Indoor Skating Rinks
Many rinks allow nordic skates during public sessions. Great place to take lessons and cross train on other types of skates. Fees are nominal but schedules can be frustrating since events, camps, and other ice sports are prioritized. Year round.
Gordon H. Paquette Ice Arena at Leddy Park: 216 Leddy Park Rd., Burlington
Gutterson Fieldhouse at UVM: UVM has a day pass, punch card, as well as membership options for the community.
C. Douglas Cairns Arena: 599 Swift St., South Burlington
Essex Skating Facility: 2 Educational Dr., Essex Junction
Collins Perley Sports & Fitness Center 890 Fairfax Road, St. Albans
Highgate Arena, 243 Gore Road, Highgate
The Ice Center, 546 River Road, Waterbury
Stowe Arena, 350 Park St, Stowe
Outdoor Seasonal Skating Rinks
Outdoor Seasonal Skating Rinks
Municipality or school/business maintained rinks with intermittent resurfacing. Great for practicing on your own schedule, some with lights at night. Typically free but small rinks could get crowded. Most are not actively chilled, so will be weather dependent.
Burlington Parks and Rec maintains multiple rinks around the city
Colchester Parks and Rec maintains a rink at Airport Park
Skating Events
Skating Events
There are a few local and further away events with skating on maintained wild ice as one of the activities
Winter Carnival Bayside Park, Colchester 2026 Jan 31-Feb1
Great Ice, North Hero. 2026 Feb 13-15
Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake, NY 2026 Feb 6-15
Off Season Cross Training
Off Season Cross Training
Enjoy the outdoors when it is above freezing, these paved multi-use paths are great options for long distance skating during the off season (inline, quads, roller skis)
Island Line Trail, Burlington & Colchester - Well maintained multi-use path with beautiful views of Lake Champlain and minimal hills. There are many different entry points. However, on a beautiful weekend in the late spring to early fall, it can get crowded (strollers, kids, dogs, and etc). The northern sections have lots of foliage so great for hot summer days but may have debris after storms and during foliage and acorn season.
Holy Cross Rd, Colchester: The multi-use path flat route connecting Airport Park and Prim Rd via Holy Cross Rd is a low traffic area and not scenic as most path users come from the Island Line Trail and go towards Causeway State Park on the west. Great place to practice in peace. Mostly exposed with some sections of foliage.
Pine Street, Burlington: The newer multi-use path on Pine Street connecting with the Champlain Parkway could be a nice option for those into more urban and artsy scene. Completely flat route. However, not much sun protection. Pine Street section north of Burlington Electric can get very crowded during the outdoor farmer's market season, Art Hop in September, and some other events.
Colchester High School, Colchester: Colchester has a series of paths behind the high school. The team has not yet explore this but welcome a description from the community.
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