With Wisconsin's landscape transformed into a winter wonderland, opportunities for indoor and outdoor adventure abound in the Madison area. Our team shares their favorite Dane County destinations for ice skating and winter sports!

Where to Enjoy the Ice and Snow in Madison, WI

Madison Ice Arena - Madison, WI

Address: 725 Forward Drive, Madison, WI 53711

Offering a full-sized and studio ice rink, the Madison Ice Arena is one of Madison's premier skating facilities, hosting events ranging from hockey to figure skating lessons. The arena also offers public skating most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—check out the full schedule here—with admission just $6 for adults and $4 for youths. Skate rentals are available. 

Edgewater Ice Rink - Madison, WI

Address: 1001 Wisconsin Place, Madison, WI 53703

Every winter, Madison's Edgewater Hotel opens up its ever-popular outdoor ice rink for the season. Overlooking the shore of Lake Mendota, the picturesque Edgewater Ice Rink is located adjacent to the hotel's warm, welcoming Icehouse bar, which is a perfect place to warm up after an hour on the ice. Tickets for public skating are available throughout the winter season, weather permitting, and guests can also reserve an outdoor fire pit near the rink. 

Frozen Assets Festival - Madison, WI

Address: Lake Mendota Shoreline Near Downtown Madison

Put on by the Clean Lakes Alliance, the 2026 Frozen Assets Festival returns to the Madison lakefront this year on Saturday, February 7. The festivities kick off with the Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk on frozen Lake Mendota and continue throughout the day with:

• Show kite demonstrations
• Indigenous Snow Snake Contest
• Pond hockey
• Snowshoeing
• Ice skating

The Frozen Assets Festival is fun for a good cause. The festival raises awareness and funds to protect and improve Madison's lakes. Read more about other winter festivals here.

Vilas Park - Madison, WI

Address: Vilas Park Drive, Madison, WI 53715

More than a dozen public parks throughout the Madison area offer public ice skating each winter. Vilas Park is one of the most popular spots, with an outdoor skating rink as well as a lagoon that opens up to skating as soon as it safely freezes over. Skating is free, and ice skate rentals are available ($6 for adults, $3 for youth). Vilas Park also offers snowshoe trails and access to frozen Lake Wingra for ice fishing. 

Lake Monona Bike Loop - Madison, WI

Address: 302 E. Lakeside St., Madison, WI 53715

Cycling opportunities don't end in wintertime, especially on routes like the 13-mile Lake Monona Bike Loop, which encircles Lake Monona and can be accessed at dozens of points throughout the Madison area. This trail, and other paths and bike lanes all over Madison, are maintained by the city to allow for winter biking. Another popular winter activity is cycling on the frozen surface or the lake itself, which is best accomplished on a fat-tire mountain bike (hit up Machinery Row Bicycles for rentals). 

UW-Madison Ice Rink - Madison, WI

Address: 1976 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706

From fall through spring, the Sub-Zero Ice Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a variety of public skate options. Daily schedules vary, with open hockey, freestyle figure skating, and public skate openings scheduled between college hockey games, practices, and other events. Discounts are available for UW-Madison students and faculty, but the ice rink is open to all. 

Get in touch today to learn more about winter sports in Dane County, and be sure to ask about how we can help find your dream home in the Madison area!