At Howelsen Ice Arena, a trip around the rink can turn into a spin, a race or a friendly collision. The downtown Steamboat Springs facility combines familiar open skating with ice bumper cars, a surprisingly gleeful variation on the usual family rink outing.
The cars glide over the ice rather than a hard indoor floor, and riders can use them for tag, impromptu races and dizzying circles. Children and adults can both take a turn, so a group does not have to choose between an activity for the kids and one that gives the grown-ups a chance to play, too.
For multigenerational outings, it is an easy place to divide the fun without splitting up. Some people can ride, others can lace up skates, and nonparticipants can settle into the bleachers to watch the action on the ice.
A short, high-energy ride
Bumper-car sessions run about 20 minutes, which gives the activity a nice contained burst of energy. It can fit neatly into an afternoon downtown, a break between other Steamboat plans or a longer visit built around skating.
During combined sessions, the bumper cars use roughly half the arena and skating continues on the other half. That arrangement keeps the rink active in two different ways: one side has the quick turns and bumps of the cars, while the other has the quieter rhythm of people making laps.
The cars do make firm contact when they meet. That is much of the amusement for riders who enjoy a little harmless mayhem, but it is worth knowing before putting someone in a car who prefers a gentler ride.
Young children may need a parent or older sibling in the car to help with driving. For a child who is ready to ride but not quite ready to steer solo, that can make the outing a shared adventure rather than a frustrating first attempt.
A rink that makes room for beginners
The skating side is set up for a broad range of confidence levels. A returning skater can take a few careful laps, an experienced skater can settle into a smoother stride, and first-timers have beginner walkers available for extra stability.
Those walkers are useful well beyond the preschool set. Adults who have not been on skates in years can use the support to get their bearings without turning the first few minutes into an unwanted test of balance.
Small sleds give infants and very young children a way to be out on the ice before they are ready to skate independently. It is a simple detail, but it helps a family with very young children avoid leaving one member of the crew on the sidelines.
Rental skates are available, and the arena also offers skate sharpening. The ice itself is notably smooth and well maintained, welcome news for anyone trying to find a steady first glide or simply hoping for an easy afternoon of laps.
More than an open-skate rink
Howelsen Ice Arena serves as a community rink as well as a visitor-friendly stop. Along with open skating, it hosts stick-and-puck sessions and provides a setting for hockey viewing, including high school hockey.
The spectator stands give the building a useful second life for family members who would rather watch than skate. They also make it easy to pause, take a few photographs and see the bumper-car commotion from a comfortable distance.
A remodeled portion of the facility and the stands give the arena a polished, practical feel. It is not only a place to rush in, make one lap and leave; there is room for the group to linger around the activity.
A welcome change of pace in Steamboat
In a town strongly associated with outdoor recreation, an indoor rink offers a pleasant detour. It works on a rainy day when outdoor plans get interrupted, and it can be a cool break during a warm-weather visit.
It also gives tired ski legs a different assignment. Instead of another downhill run or trail outing, the family can trade boots for skates, or skip the skates altogether and steer a bumper car across the ice.
The arena's downtown location makes this feel less like an excursion that takes over the day and more like a lively stop that can slot into time around town.
A couple of useful details
The rink is cold, even in summer, and warm layers are useful for riders, skaters and anyone spending time in the stands. An extra sweater or jacket can make the difference between enjoying the show and counting the minutes until everyone is ready to leave.
Bumper-car availability is tied to scheduled sessions, and popular times may fill. When the cars are the main reason for the visit, reserving ahead is advisable; current schedules can also confirm which sessions pair bumper cars with skating.