Cool Coast Ice Skating, BIC, Bournemouth

A SCENIC winter wonderland awaits at Bournemouth’s Purbeck Hall as Cool Coast Ice Rink returns.

Decked out with Scandi-style wooden huts and pretty twinkling lights, the BIC hall has been transformed into a wintery scene housing the south coast’s largest indoor ice skating rink.

Welcoming novice, keen and super skaters, the seasonal site will be open to skaters whatever the weather until Sunday 23rd February, and this week we’ve teamed up with BH Live to give away a family skating ticket.

The pretty rink, featuring spectacular ribbons, festoon lights, festive fir trees and decorative icicles, is maintained at a chilly -10C while promising a welcome that couldn’t be warmer.

Last year, the popular attraction saw more than 40,000 hit the ice, and this year there are lots of new sessions to accommodate even more.

Spectators are also welcomed, and a cosy Alpine-inspired bar serves up warming hot chocolates, snacks and drinks.

The venue, located behind the main BIC building, employs skate marshals to help beginners and maintain rink safety, and boasts a team of penguin ‘skate mates’, a practice area to warm up and 600 pairs of skates ready to hire.

All sessions include 15 minutes to put on skates, 60 minutes on the ice and 15 minutes at the end to take off skates. Prices include skate hire, however, visitors may bring their own skates. Entry is free for spectators when accompanying paying skaters.

Perfect for the skilled seasoned skater, brave beginners, and everyone in between, participants are advised to dress for icy conditions with warm socks, gloves and hats.

The venue also hosts relaxed skate sessions, with more lighting and no loud music, for users with additional needs or sensory requirements as well as those who are neurodivergent.

Relaxed skating sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 4pm to 5.15pm and Saturdays 11am-12.15pm. Wheelchair users are welcome at all skate sessions, and new advanced sessions take place on Saturday evenings at 8.45pm.

Skate sessions will run between 9am and 10pm seven days a week. A range of skate sessions and ticket types will be on sale, including individual, accessible, and family rates. Group concessions and private rink hire are also available.

To find out more and book visit coolcoasticerink.co.uk

To be in to win a family skating ticket, pick up this week’s Advertiser & Times, out tomorrow (Friday).