What says winter more than donning a pair of ice skates and cutting a figure eight in the frozen surface of a rink? Not much besides a nice cup of hot cocoa.
Fortunately these experiences, normally denied to those who live in the sunshine state, are now available thanks to clever engineering and a good dose of holiday spirits at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Frozen through Jan. 1, guests and club members alike can enjoy a full-blown ice-skating rink at the Mizner-designed landmark resort. Measuring 85-by-40 feet, the ice rink can comfortably host up to 100 skaters. What’s more, the ice in the rink is pink.
“It’s a tribute to the historic resort as a pink landmark in South Florida,” says spokesperson Megan Sterritt. “The Pink Rink is a real ice skating rink with pink ice.” In keeping with the color scheme, a portion of the proceeds collected will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
The Resort & Club created the winter rink on its croquet lawn just for the season, covered by a tent decorated with whimsical snowflakes and glowing snowmen. Rose air steams from the ice. Surrounding the rink are fabric-covered stands for lacing up skates and resting feet. First time skaters can figure out how to keep their balance using orange “walker” devices.
If you find yourself in the stands, that’s where the hot chocolate is – with whipped cream on top. A cozy concession situated behind the stands is fully stocked with warm and cold beverages as well as special drinks for adults, like baileys hot chocolate, along with hot dogs, candy and chips.
As effective as the rink might be for luring locals to spend a night at the Resort, it won’t draw many snowbirds. For that, the resort is also marketing its unique surfing school run by Costa del Este Water sports and in partnership with Billabong surf wear. The school offers one-on-one lessons for a personalized teaching experience as well as group lessons. The secret weapon for newbies: motorized surfboards, just in case the waves won’t perform or you need a little gentle rehearsal before taking on a big tsunami.
Beach bonfires and a kid-friendly New Years block party are some of the other holiday events to help South Floridians grasp the feeling of the northern winter. But the ice is the thing, including skating demonstrations and ice shows by former figure skating champions Frank Sweiding and Anita Hartshorn.
For further information visit www.bocaresort.com or call 1-888-495-BOCA. ?
