When most people think of sunny St George, ice skating is not the first thing to come to mind; however Tuacahn has changed all that — with ice skating Tuacahn.
Coupled with the other festivities during Christmas in the Canyon, ice skating Tuacahn opened during Thanksgiving weekend to a crowd of enthusiastic skaters.
It fits right in with all the activities, says Darren Hunsaker of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Hunsaker and his family come to Tuacahn each year during the holidays. They were excited to learn about ice skating Tuacahn.
“It’s very festive,” says Tara Hunsaker. “Where else can you do this in the middle of the red rocks.”
Ice skating Tuacahn | Almost like ice
The issue of temperature and the costs related to powering an ice skating Tuacahn rink didn’t simply go away. But Tuacahn officials found a way to work around it in order to include something they’ve wanted to do for years.
“It takes as much power to run a real ice skating rink as it does to power our new building,” says Kevin Smith, Tuacahn CEO.
On top of that, there are the maintenance costs to be considered.
That’s where an innovating synthetic ice product comes into play. It’s called PolyGlide.
Touted as bearing close resemblance to the look and feel of skating on real ice, PolyGlide is a self-lubricating, slippery material. It comes in puzzle-style pieces that snap together to create the ice skating Tuacahn rink.
Smith says their research taught them this product claims to be 10 percent more resistant than real ice. Beyond that, the feel is reported to be very similar to regular ice.
Smooth sailing
“I think it’s nice. It’s fun for the kids,” says Carol Mayhew of Ivins, Utah.
Sage Southwick, of North Ogden, Utah, says the use of synthetic ice at ice skating Tuacahn actually made it easier for her to skate.
“It’s good for beginners. It’s cool that it’s not cold when you fall down,” she says.
Unbeatable setting
Regardless of what people may wonder about the use of synthetic vs. real ice at ice skating Tuacahn, Smith says nothing compares to the ambiance. A little magical world one might expect from a theater venue.
“We’re in the business of creating a setting that is real even though it isn’t,” Smith says. “That’s what Tuacahn is about. Creating something unique and different.”
Above all, ice skating Tuacahn, and the many other Christmas in the Canyon events, are all about families making memories.
Christmas in the Canyon events
While you’re out enjoying the ice skating Tuacahn experience, you may also want to check out the following:
- Live Nativity
- Visit with Santa Claus
- “Fairy Tale Christmas” by Scott McLean and Michael McLean
- Old Salty train ride
- Entertainment on the plaza
- Thousands of twinkling lights
- Hot chocolate and other treats
- Shopping in the new gift gallery
“We do it all,” says Tara Hunsaker. “Tuacahn is a tradition for us.”
Whichever event you participate in, or if you tackle them all, it is difficult not to feel the Christmas spirit pouring out of the canyon.
“It’s kind of our gift to the community,” Smith says.
Each of the Christmas in the Canyon events have varying dates, start times and costs. For more information lot onto www.tuacahn.org
Interested in a home near ice skating Tuacahn? Check out these local listings here.