With the end of fall ever encroaching, all that’s left is the long, cold slog that is a Pennsylvania winter. Fight cabin fever by heading to one of our favorite ice skating rinks in the Pittsburgh region. We’ve separated the list into outdoor rinks for those seeking bone-chilling thrills and indoor rinks for the sane, commonfolk. Due to such varied openings, hours for all rinks are accessible on their respective sites. No plans of strapping on skates? Check out NEXT’s guide for other indoor excitement. Outdoor rinks The UPMC Rink at PPG Place 4 PPG Place, Downtown Pittsburgh  For Yinzers, no explanation necessary. For out-of-towners, what is typically a water feature is transformed into a winter wonderland skating rink for the cold months. With a giant Christmas tree covered in lights and festive music playing, it is Pittsburgh skating. Open through Sunday, March 1. Admission is $12 for adults and $11 for children. Rental skates are $4-6. Timed tickets are available online. Photo courtesy of City of Pittsburgh Parks Recreation Department. Schenley Park Skating Rink 10341 Overlook Drive, Oakland  Schenley Park has entertained ice skaters and hockey players since 1975. The City of Pittsburgh’s rink can accommodate 300 skaters at a time. The Schenley rink is open daily through Saturday, Feb. 28, but free skate hours vary. Find the public skate session operating hours here. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for patrons under 17. Skate rental is $3. Purchase tickets online. South Park Ice Skating Rink 300 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park With an NHL-sized rink and skate trail, this Allegheny County park offers visitors several programs for skaters like ice skating and hockey skating lessons for guests of all ages. While the North and South Park rinks are normally open by now, Allegheny County’s spending freeze caused by the state budget impasse has caused their openings to be delayed until Saturday, Dec. 20. It will remain open through March, weather permitting. Admission starts at $5. Skate rental is $2. North Park Ice Skating Rink 1101 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park The other Allegheny County-operated park and rink — North Park Ice Rink — similarly offers ice skating and hockey skating lessons for guests of all ages. It is likewise open through March, weather permitting, but also will not open until Saturday, Dec. 20. Admission starts at $5. Skate rental is $2. Indoor rinks Hunt Armory 324 Emerson St., Shadyside Hunt Armory is closed for renovations this year. Ice Castle Arena 990 Castle Shannon Blvd., Castle Shannon Host to two NHL-size, state-of-the-art ice rinks, this year-round facility not only offers skating, but a bar and lounge, arcade, gym and snack bar. The Ice Castle Arena is also home to several amateur hockey teams, such as the Pittsburgh Predators Hockey Club.  General admission is $10 most nights. Friday night sessions are $15, but include skate rental. Rental skates are $5. Pay at the door. Photo courtesy of the Alpha Ice Complex. Alpha Ice Complex 66 Alpha Drive W., Cheswick With ice activities in the winter and summer, the Alpha Ice Complex offers relaxed skating sessions, skating lessons and pickup hockey sessions. The rink can also be rented out for large events. Admission — which includes rental skates — starts at $13 for adults and $10 for kids. Pay at door only. Robert Morris University Island Sports Center 7600 Grand Ave., Neville Island This 32-acre beacon of ice sports sits on the western edge of Neville Island. The center hosts pubic skating, hockey, figure skating and skate school for all ages. Public skate schedules vary due to practices, but up-to-date schedules are available on the center’s website. General admission is $10, and rental skates an additional $4. RMU students, staff, faculty and administration skate free. Tickets are available online and at the door. Photo courtesy of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex Facebook page. UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex 8000 Cranberry Springs Drive, Cranberry The UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex is the practice and training facility for the Pittsburgh Penguins and hosts a range of activities from public skating to hockey leagues. The state-of-the-art facility provides programs for those who want to learn to skate and play hockey all year long. Admission starts at $10. Skate rental is $3. Order timed tickets online. Mt. Lebanon Ice Center 900 Cedar Blvd., Mt. Lebanon Mt. Lebanon Park’s 57-year-old ice rink is open year-round, save most major holidays. The rink is open for public skate every morning, and has additional evening hours Fridays through Sundays. Prices vary by date and length of session, but all are between $7 and $10. Rental skates are $4. Pay at the door. The post 10 ice skating rinks we love in the Pittsburgh area appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh. ...read more read less