By Gerry Barker
Photos/Video by Gerry Barker
In the Palm Beaches, celebrating the holidays is usually lights strung around palm trees or a giant tree made of sand. There’s never been an outdoor ice skating rink — until now.
Welcome to “Rinkside at The Ben,” featuring not only outdoor ice skating, but also a winter wonderland of shops, food and music. Hosted by The Ben, an Autograph Collection hotel in downtown West Palm Beach, it made its debut Saturday, Nov. 2 and will run through March 1, 2025.
“We’re excited to be able to offer something unique that nobody else in the area is doing,” said Bernardo Neto, The Ben’s general manager.
Located on a green space across from the hotel, Elis Alarcon, director of hotel operations at The Ben, said planning for the ice rink started almost a year ago. “There were a number of permits and approvals required,” she said, while constructing the rink and wonderland village itself “only took about a month.”
The job of installing the ice rink was handled by Ice America. Based in California with offices in Texas and New Jersey, they have been marketing their portable ice solution since 2008, and have it down to a science. But wait. Outdoor ice in South Florida? It is called the Sunshine State for a reason.
No worries. Lisa Enochs. Ice America’s executive director of event production and planning, said the ice can remain frozen even in temperatures as high as 90 degrees, thanks to their state-of-the-art, refrigeration system that utilizes aluminum coils to continuously freeze the ice. “Rain or wind is more of an issue,” she said, because high winds can inhibit the freezing process.
Around the ice rink, visitors will find The Top Shelf Elf, where bartenders are ready to make seasonal cocktails like a Peppermint Espresso Martini or Santa’s Secret Cocoa, the Snack Chalet, where you can get everything from Belgian waffles and corn on the cob to hot dogs and a pretzel with cheese sauce, plus Byrdie’s, offering up hot cocoa, sweets and souvenirs. The Polar Lounge is a VIP retreat with “arctic alcoves” that accommodate up to six guests and is available for private parties.
Of course, there’s the all-important skate rental, and its companion kiosk, Cubby Rentals. What’s a Cubby, you may ask. For grandparents of a 12-year-old whose feet have never touched the nice, I would them a godsend.
We learned the Cubbys come in two versions — Bobby the Seal and Tommy the Reindeer. Made of molded plastic and tapered for stability and support, first-timers can use them as they master skating on the ice. That’s exactly what Cate, our granddaughter, did, using Bobby the Seal as she made her way around the rink. There are even helpers who guided Cate onto the ice.
The rink is large enough to accommodate up to 70 skaters, and sessions last 90 minutes. Saturdays will feature live music provided by local band, Girlfriend Material.
Ice skating in a tropical setting — the hope is it will become South Florida’s new holiday tradition. Who needs Rockefeller Center, right?
Tickets and VIP packages go on sale October 18, 2024 at www.thebenevents.com.
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