BELLEVUE, Wash. — Remember when all we could do for the holidays in 2020 was watch a Hallmark movie and wish we were doing all the totally realistic perfect things that the fictional characters were doing?
Well now that we are kind of starting to get ahold of this pandemic, we are getting to a point where we can do a lot of that safely again.
The Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink had to skip the 2020 holiday season due to COVID-19 restrictions, but this year the rink is back with a holiday experience that will last 51 days.
The popular ice rink opened this week for its 24th year, to folks who are looking for a little post-2020 holiday cheer-up.
"I think people are just really excited to get out and enjoy the city, shop, dine, (etc.) and of course safely at the same time," said Patrick Bannon, president of the Bellevue Downtown Association.
This year the rink offers a COVID-friendly experience with the rink structure which is considered "Open Air 2," with mesh side openings that will allow for airflow.
Guests will not be required to show proof of the COVID-19 vaccine but will need to be wearing a mask at all times.
For tickets, you can visit the ice rink's website.
For those looking for a few other options around western Washington for outdoor ice shredding, here are some open for all ages:
Folks living or visiting the Olympic Peninsula but still looking to enjoy the ice can head to the Winter Ice Village at Port Angeles where folks can skate all day long.
The rink is presented by the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce and is located in downtown.
The rink is open daily from Nov. 19 to Jan. 3 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
All-day tickets for those at least 13 years old are $15 and those ages 3-12 can hit the ice for $10. Season passes are also available fro $150.
Skating enthusiasts can also get a taste of the mountains in the city of Cle Elum, the "Heart of the Cascades."
Suncadia Resort has a rink open to resort guests and residents as well as the public.
Reservations are available for resorts guests and residents while the public can enjoy the rink via walk-up if there's space available.
Price per session for those 12 years old and younger is $16. For everyone else, it'll cost $20.
Make your way to the other side of the Cascade Range from Puget Sound to Moses Lake where the community ice rink is available for all to enjoy.
The rink is set to open on Nov. 21 after delaying for more than a week due to warm weather.
Skate rentals will run everyone no matter the age $6. For each session, adults skate for $4, youth ages 5-17 and seniors ages 65 and over skate for $3 and those 4 years old and younger skate for free.
The rink also offers 10 admission punch cards and Season passes.
It's all about community building at the outdoor ice rink in Winthrop, with lessons, youth hockey programs and figure skating.
The rink opened on Nov. 11 and expects to be open through at least mid-February, according to the calendar posted online.
Open skates are available to adults for $10, youths ages 6-17 and seniors 65 and over for $7 and to children ages 5 and under for free.
Season passes are also for purchase for adults at $165 or $115 for youths and seniors. There are also family packages and a drop-in hockey add-on available.