In one of the country’s most picturesque settings for an outdoor rink, skaters glide around an illuminated oak tree in the centre of the 600 sq m rink, overlooked by the spectacular facades of 13th Century Clifford’s Tower, the Law Courts and the Castle Museum, right in the centre of historic York.
The Ice Factor is made all the more festive with York’s biggest Christmas tree, log cabins decked with greenery, and theatrical lighting. At night, the rink positively sparkles with its floodlit surroundings and the numerous Christmas trees and cabins around the rink garlanded with lights too. Perfect for a romantic night under the stars.
Selected as one of the Top 10 Christmas Ice Rinks nationwide
by The Sun, The Guardian and The Times
Since its opening in 2004 The Ice Factor has become a Christmas fixture for York residents and visitors, attracting thousands of skaters of all ages and abilities as well as onlookers enjoying some festive fun.
The Ice Factor has a public viewing area and a heated skate hire marquee and whether you’re a Kylie fan or not, there’ll be plenty of hits you’ll love, thanks to Minster FM who’ll be setting the scene both inside the Ice Bar & Café and out on the rink, to get everyone Dancing on Ice.
Situated right beside the ice rink, the glass-fronted, heated Ice Bar & Café is the ideal spot for those who don’t wish to skate but want to watch the fun outside. And if you’ve been for a skate it’s the perfect place to warm up or cool down (depending on how energetic you’ve been).
With its contemporary black and silver décor and giant black and white photographs of the internationally-acclaimed Imperial Ice Stars’ productions of Swan Lake on Ice and Sleeping Beauty on Ice, the Ice Bar & Café sets the scene and is enough to inspire any would-be skater. Offering quick quality comfort food from 10am til 10pm, and a fully licensed bar, the Ice Bar & Café is the hot spot in York for a Christmas drink.
And remember, The Ice Factor is made of 100% real ice.
This year The Ice Factor offers even more discounts and special prices to entice every wannabe Torvil & Dean. Clubs, Parent & Toddlers and York Residents are some of the new ticket types available to all. And of course, groups of 20 or more continue to receive their discount of £1 off per ticket.
With over 100 schools enjoying the fun and exercise last year, The Ice Factor has joined forces with Ebor and Jorvik Schools Sports Partnership this year to encourage even more pupils to get skating and stay healthy, and enjoy an introductory lesson complete with certificate from our NISA*-qualilified coaches. We’ve reduced our schools prices even further this year and, as always, teacher goes free.
Whether you’re a novice or fancy yourself as a bit of a pro, our Ice Marshalls are on hand at all times to prise you off the handrail and get you skating, or to give you a tip so that you can finesse your style. Skate School is back again this year with group lessons from our NISA qualified coach available on Saturdays at 9am and to help your toddler get confident on the ice, we have special ice shoes as well as our stabliser, Bobo the Penguin, who is joined by more of his friends this year.
