ICE SKATING IN THE KEWEENAW

Skate laps, slap a puck around, practice your figure skating moves, or simply sip on a cup of hot cocoa while watching others glide across the ice…. Ice skating is a classic winter pastime that can be enjoyed at a variety of historic indoor rinks and charming outdoor rinks throughout the Keweenaw. 

The only rink with skate rentals is the Michigan Tech John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Stop by Center Ice in Houghton to get sized for a new pair of skates or have your current pair sharpened before you go! 

HISTORIC INDOOR RINKS

THE DEE STADIUM

700 E Lakeshore Dr, Houghton, MI 49931

Driving into Houghton on US-41, you will notice a sign that reads “Houghton: The Birthplace of Professional Hockey.” In 1902, The Amphidrome was built on the Portage Canal in Houghton, Michigan. It was home of The Portage Lakes who won Hockey’s first National Championship Game in 1903. The original stadium was destroyed in a fire in 1927, and The New Amphidrome was rebuilt on the same site. The name of the stadium was later changed to what we know it as now, The Dee Stadium.

The Dee Stadium includes The History of Hockey Exhibit, located in The Kenner Ruohonen Memorial History Room. This museum offers its guests the opportunity to learn about The Dee Stadium and its role as the birthplace of professional hockey. It also offers interesting insight into the history of hockey in the Copper Country. It’s typically open Monday-Friday from 9:00-4:00PM, with extended hours during hockey season.

The Dee Stadium offers FREE public skating, with different ice sessions available for Public Skating, Adult & Senior Open Skating, and Learn to Skate for Kids. The Dee Stadium also has a skate sled available for those with mobility challenges.  To use the sled, please see the rink attendant.

The Dee 2023-2024 Public Ice Schedule:

Public Skate: Sunday 5:30-6:45PM
Adult Skate: Monday & Thursday 12:00-1:30PM
Learn to Skate: Wednesday 12:00-1:30PM

*Occasional cancellations will occur due to hockey games, tournaments, or other activities. Schedule changes will be recorded on the answering machine at (906) 482-7760. 

Michigan Tech’s John MacInnes Ice Arena has skate rentals available during public skate. Photo by Michigan Technological University.

MICHIGAN TECH JOHN J. MACINNES STUDENT ICE ARENA

500 MacInnes Dr, Houghton, MI 49931

The John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena, located in the Student Developmental Complex at Michigan Technological University, has been home to the Michigan Tech Hockey Huskies since the season of 1971-1972. The large arena, video scoreboard, luxury suites, and Michigan Tech Pep Band make home hockey games extra fun and exciting. Check the Michigan Tech Hockey Schedule to see when the next home game is!

The John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena also offers public skating, adult hockey, figure skating programs, and private rentals. The arena offers skate and helmet rentals during Public Skating. Public admission is $10 and skate rentals are an additional $5.

Michigan Tech Spring Semester Public Ice Schedule:

January 14-March 17 | Sundays from 6-8PM| No skating February 25 or March 3
January 9-March 21 | Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12PM-1:15PM | No skating February 27 &29

THE HOUGHTON COUNTY ARENA “HOCO”

1500 Birch St, Hancock, MI 49930

The Houghton County Arena, called “HoCo” by locals, has provided the community with excellent recreational and educational opportunities since it’s construction in the early 1970’s. Free public open skate sessions are offered every week!

Houghton County Arena 2023-2024 Public Ice Schedule:
Open Skate Sessions: Wednesdays 12-2:30PM, Fridays 6:45PM-8PM
Check the ice schedule for additional offerings and potential changes in schedules! More public skate sessions are added when time permits.

THE GEORGE GIPP ARENA

200 Isle Royale St, Laurium, MI 49913

The George Gipp Arena, also referred to as the Bi-Centennial, is part of the George Gipp Recreation Area in Laurium, Michigan.  Who is George Gipp? George Gipp, nicknamed “The Gipper,” was a college football player at the University of Notre Dame. He became Notre Dame’s first All-American football in 1920. Gipp scored 83 touch downs during his 4-year, 32 game collegiate career. He was born in the Village of Laurium 1895 and unfortunately passed away at the young age of 25. His legacy now lives on through George Gipp Recreation Area & Ice Arena including a memorial honoring “The Gipper” nearby.

The George Gipp Arena is primarily used for the Initiation & Mites Program (youth hockey), public skating, and private ice rentals. Public skating is offered for $1.00, and concessions are usually open during public skate times. Ice is available from the end of November through March.

The Gipp 2023-2024 Public Ice Schedule:
Public Skate:
Friday 6-7:30PM
Saturday 3-4:30PM
Sunday 3-4:30PM & 6:30-8PM

The Calumet Hockeyville hosted NHL pre-season game between the Red Wings the St. Louis Blues in 2019.

THE CALUMET COLOSSEUM

10 Red Jacket Rd, Calumet, MI 49913

The Calumet Colosseum is considered the oldest operating continuous-use hockey ice rink in North America. The arena opened on January 1, 1914, and the first game was played on January 6^th between the Calumet Wolverines and the Portage Lake Pioneers. From 1942-2005 the arena was named the Calumet Armory, and the arena was used by the Calumet Detachment of the Michigan National Guard. Although the name was reverted to Calumet Colosseum in 2005, you will still hear many locals refer to the arena as “The Armory.”

In 2019, the Calumet Colosseum was the winner of the Kraft Hockeyville USA Contest. Not only did the Colosseum receive $150,000 for upgrades, but it also won the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game between the Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues! The game brought wide-spread excitement to Calumet during September 2019, and the Red Wings won the game, 4-1.

Calumet Colosseum 2023-2024 Public Skating Schedule:

Public Open Skate: Time and day varies. Check here for weekly schedules.

THE KENNER RUOHONEN MEMORIAL DOME

S61C, Houghton, MI 49931

The Kenner Dome, also known as The Oskar Dome, is a small community rink located in Stanton Township, near Houghton. It prides itself as being a community hockey rink for everyone who wants to play, even those who can’t play on an organized team. This pole-barn rink is a great option for the skaters looking for additional practice time.

The Kenner Dome 2023-2024 Public Ice Schedule:

Public Skating (No Sticks):
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 5:00-8:00PM
Saturday 12:00-2:00PM
Sunday 12:00-2:00PM & 5:00-6:00PM

Youth Hockey:
Tues & Thursday 4:00-7:00PM
Saturday & Sunday 2:00-5:00PM
Hours are Parent Enforced.

OUTDOOR RINKS

Skaters enjoyed a rare moment of perfect ice for skating on the frozen Portage Canal during the winter of 2021.

DODGEVILLE

Main St, Houghton, MI 49931

Dodgeville Ice Rink is an open outdoor pavilion-style rink in Houghton County. It is equipped with boards and hockey nets, making it the perfect facility to play a game of pick-up hockey. There is also a warming shelter and restrooms located on-site. Many young hockey enthusiasts have practiced on this small ice pad, and it’s an excellent spot to bring your family skating. This facility is minutes away from downtown Houghton and can be a great spot for an afternoon of fun.

LAURN-GROVE ICE RINK

Emery St, Hancock, MI 49930

Laurn-Grove Ice Rink is Hancock’s only outdoor ice rink. This backyard rink is used heavily by recreational ice skaters and hockey players. In 2017, this historic outdoor rink received grants from the Keweenaw Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council that made it possible to install LED lighting at the rink and make improvements and upgrades to the rink boards. It’s always a delight to see this neighborhood rink lit up for those late-evening games of hockey.

The Ahmeek Ice Rink will soon come to life with public skate and community hockey.

EMIL AHO MEMORIAL ICE RINK “AHMEEK ICE RINK”

School St, Ahmeek, MI 49950

The Emil Aho Memorial Ice Rink is an outdoor community rink located in Ahmeek, MI. This outdoor ice rink has regular hours, with designated ice times scheduled for youth hockey, hockey, and public skating. This volunteer-run facility includes a warming shack complete with a concession stand and restrooms. Stop by for a good ol’ game of Ahmeek Hockey or just come and skate around. Visit the Ahmeek Ice Rink Facebook Page for updates on ice status and schedule.

CHASSELL ICE RINKS

103 3rd St, Chassell, MI 49916

Chassell Township owns and operates 2 outdoor ice rinks. The first rink is just East of the Chassell Heritage Center and is accessible from Second Street off US-41. There is also an ice pavilion located in Centennial Park on Pike Bay. This rink is accessible by turning East onto Third Street off US-41. Chassell rinks have designated hours for hockey, open skating, and junior hockey. The rinks are lit for night skating and there is a warming shed available for skaters and visitors.

Chassell Centennial Park Rink 2023-2024 Ice Schedule:

8AM-1PM Hockey
1PM-4PM Open Skating
4PM - 6PM Jr. Hockey
6PM - 8PM Open Skating 
8PM -11PM Hockey
11P -12AM Flooding
12AM - Lights Out

*Small Children Require Supervision.