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The Winter Club Winter Lodge
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
24 reviews for The Winter Club Winter Lodge
Our latest adventure at Winter Lodge has been... summer tennis lessons!
These folks understand their customers' crazy schedules, and have come with a flexible path for introducing 3-10 year olds to tennis: the "Mini Clinic." During the summer the clinics run at 9 and 10am both Saturday and Sunday. You can show up for whichever time and day you prefer, skip weeks, change lesson times or bring 3 kids one time and 1 kid the next. You pay only for the clinics you attend, and need to give them only 24 hours' notice. In the fall I believe the schedule switches to afternoons Mon-Thurs, but the same flexible clinic concept continues. You can tell I like the scheduling convenience.
Even more importantly, my kids are getting a ton out of it. They have liked almost all of the instructors (these vary depending on how many kids are coming, etc.) and I've been impressed with head coach Lou and how he motivates the young-uns. They kids really hustle around the court for a full hour, which is - frankly - a little shocking since it's hard for me to keep them pointed in the same direction for more than 15 minutes at a stretch. We've even put my 3 year old in the clinic (since otherwise he's just watching his 5 and 7 year old brothers) -- he's hanging in there and is often joined by several other 3 year olds. They typically break intro groups of 3-4 kids per instructor, so of course what you work on depends a bit on who else is showing up at that time.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/5/2008
Outdoor ice skating in Palo Alto?! And with a fireplace-warmed outdoor picnic area to boot? That's… Read more »
As a hockey player/fan myself, I can tell you that Winter Lodge has terrible ice. Outdoor rinks should only be in cold places, like Canada, the East Coast and Europe. When the sun shines on the non-covered part of the ice, they close it within an hour, leaving all 100+ people skating in a 30ft by 30ft area. The ice quickly becomes crappy, filled with divots and people lying on the floor who can't skate and don't want to get up. The smaller indoor rink is good for broomball, but I've only been on it once. Indoor area is small and therefore crowded. I would say Shark's Ice Fremont, Shark's Ice San Jose or what the heck, even Nazareth Ice Oasis have far better ice, less expensive and far less crowded.
This place is a real gem. Outdoor ice skating, always-burning fireplace, great ice skating lessons, a hot chocolate machine, and fun music to skate to!
I have a lot of memories skating at this place, having grown up in Palo Alto. I recently started going back since I've returned to the area. I have been taking adult skating lessons for the last year and it is so much fun!! My only complaint is that the classes are way too short (only 30 minutes).
This is a great place to come on a date -- hold hands, cuddle by the fire, share a hot chocolate, kiss under the stars. Just make sure you go on adult skating night so you avoid kiddies :)
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$10/person for several hours of family fun on a Sunday evening during their open session: can't think of a better deal in town.
No its not the biggest rink around and yes, there are a bunch of novices flailing around (including yours truly). Its like its frozen in time back in the 50's but the only thing the kids notice is how much fun everyone is having. Lots of folks grab one of the picnic tables and call out to one of the pizza delivery placed nearby. Ah, the simple pleasures of life.
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This place is really fun. The only reason why I'm giving it 4 stars and not 5, is because the ice skates are kinda uncomfortable. Other than that, the hot chocolate vending machine and candy vending machine are AWESOME!! The fact that is outdoors makes it a great way to skate. I do hate it when people bring their strollers on the ice. it makes it so crowded. I think that the fake snow is kinda cool to. The service is really nice the ice guards are friendly and don't yell at you for stupid reasons. Tip: NEVER COME HERE THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, NEW YEARS OR A BIG HOLIDAY. Why? it is super crowded on these days.
We went on a Saturday and it was crowded. I was amazed by the fake snow because I never saw it before - but then I found out it was just soap suds. There is a nice "Ice Guard" lady who patrols and helps people. The brown rental ice skates I got were not too comfortable.
I think this place is super cute. I would never come here during a public session to practice, but my husband and I went the other night just for kicks, and I love the idea that the rink is outside, and families can just come to skate. My husband has come for broomball and has had a good time, and used the picnic area. It is rare to have an open air rink like this, so the idea itself is so fun! They have snow blow in the middle of the rink which the younger kids went wild for! This place is definitely good for families. It is great to get out and do something for $8, and have a good time!
Skip the outdoor rinks San Francisco and San Jose tout as the ultimate holiday experience, Winter Lodge is where you should go! It is a much better deal for your wallet as well as a better maintained rink. Those temporary outdoor holiday rinks are there to take money from tourists.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/17/2008
Good clean fun! There's nothing like an outing to the Winter Lodge. It can be a little crowded at… Read more »
Great, inexpensive entertainment in boring Palo Alto. What a great place to try ice skating for the first time!! I've gone here twice, once on a a date, and another time with some friends. Only $10 for admission and skate rental! If you are a Stanford student, check out the coupon in the Directory or Unofficial Guide for a 2 for 1 coupon. Plenty of parking much further in. The front sign can be hard to see at night.
The partially outdoor rink is awesome, especially at night. Feels like winter without the snow. Cute fireplace/picnic area is great for big groups or parties. Sometimes the people who have better skater skills than I can be a little obnoxious with their constant weaving in and out between people. But you learn to ignore them. For beginners, not to worry, there are plenty of beginner skaters here. Also, when you get tired, they have a couple of places to sit or grab on to at either end of the rink. Check their website for their hours and make sure that they are actually open for the season.
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On Wednesday nights from 8-10, adults can skate here without kids. It is a cheap alternative to other "night out." Yes, the rink is small and this is a place built for kids, lessons and recreational skating, but it is good wholesome fun.
I love skating--especially outdoors. It gives you a good taste of winter
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When I was little, I had my birthday party here every year! They're great at accommodating large groups and parties for kids. They offer skating lessons and put on shows seasonally. The actual facility is a bit run down, but it has an old school charm that's very cute. They have two rinks, one indoor an one partially covered out door. During parties, kids can play broom ball on the indoor rink.
Great for outgoing dates.
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here are my thoughts:
-ice skates, fake snow, lit fireplace and strings of lights= FUN
-the rink itself is a bit small (but it's really cute!) so you don't see anyone doing any fancy tricks..basically just skating around in circles :).
-most of the people on the ice are younger; lots of kids and some young adults
-the parking lot seems to accomodate just the right amount of people.
-$8 for admission and $3 for skate rentals. good times.
Sure, it's not the biggest rink but if you just want somewhere fun to skate with friends, it's the best rink to take them -- especially the night sessions when the ice is a little better and the fireplaces are going. The atmosphere is cozy even for non-skaters. There's a bench seat right on the ice -- very comforting if you're a beginner.
I've been to birthday parties here and the nice thing is that they rent you the entire outdoor rink.
This is one of the few skating rinks around, so I can't knock it too hard. Mainly, I'm sad that the rink is so small. What makes up for it is the fake snow they have during the winter. Yes, I am that sucker for fake snow.
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A great family-friendly place. Being a Canadian transplant, hanging out at the Winter Lodge transports me back home - only without the threat of body-numbing frigid temperatures and whipping gale-force winds.
My hubby plays hockey at the Ice Oasis. To preserve some "Canadiana", he really wanted to enroll our daughter into skating lessons. She loves them! When she falls in class, the instructors "ignore" her, which teaches her to get up by herself. They also us fun ways to get the kids moving and learning new techniques.
We also organized a very last-minute birthday party for our daughter at the rink. The Winter Lodge staff was extremely flexible and responsive to our needs.
Although the place may feel a little too "mickey mouse" for some, it's exactly that which makes it so charming. :o)
Not the biggest rink, no.
But you know what? It's a bit cheaper and a great deal less crowded than "Downtown Ice" in San Jose, if you're up for skating outdoors. I like that they have the Adults only skating, so you can easily avoid the hoards of kids/teens (and there were) that monopolize the ice.
$10 for admission AND skate rental.
Don't bother dropping your money here for anything other than purely recreational skating. The rinks are way too small for the amount of novices awkwardly knocking into each other in their cheap rental boots. The quality of the ice is horrible and rough because it's not Zambonied often enough. My little sister once had a birthday party here, and everyone had a great time. But as a former competitive figure skater, this place is a nightmare!
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A little better than the outdoor rinks found at tourist attractions, but still not as good as the indoor rinks. It's tiny in and around the rink. If you don't skate very often and just want to skate with friends, I guess it would be kind of fun. It does have a nice wintery holiday atmosphere. They also have a small indoor rink for skating classes.
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This is a fun place to go with friends to get into the winter spirit. It's a little hard to find, since the lodge is set back from the road, but there is plenty of parking. For $10 total it's much more interactive than going to a movie - $7 to get in, $3 for rental skates, and they're pretty nice ones. There are bunches of picnic tables and a fire on the patio around the outdoor ice rink, so if you can't skate nonstop there are plenty of places to chill while taking a breather. I like Wednesday nights, when it's 18 and over only from 8-10 pm. They've also got open skate night, family night, and ice skating classes.
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The Winter Lodge offers ice skating on an indoor and an outdoor rink. The 10-year-old I nanny went here with her girl scout troupe. They all loved it and they all agreed that you do not want to go here on a rainy day, because then you are forced to use the smaller indoor rink. The parking lot is a pain to get out of when everyone is leaving en masse.
This place is a crack-up. If you are an uncoordinated adult like me or Mr. T, be prepared to have your adrenaline pumped up by the surrounding teens whizzing by on their skates. You can choose to awkwardly skate around in circles with everyone else, hopefully staying on your feet most of the time. Or, you can sit on the sidelines and watch the collisions and general mayhem occurring on the ice. Guaranteed fun time.
who knew there was ice skating in palo alto?
10 bucks includes access to the ice rink AND skate rental.
cheaper than a movie, gotta love it.
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Really adorable place to go on a date. Cheap cheap! And there' a romantic place to sit by the fire. The only thing this place needs is a coffee/hot chocolate bar....w/ marshmallows, mmmm. Or the ability to make-your-own smores. Somehow the vending machine doesn't cut it.
We went ice skating at winter lodge last night and had a great time! It was a small rink, which is great for beginners, and as others mentioned, it has benches on the ice, and fireplaces for warming. We went for general skate on a Saturday night from 8-10 pm and it was not crowded at all. It was fun to be outdoors, though I wish we could actually see some stars. It was definitely idyllic. The staff was extremely friendly and even gave us some pointers to help get us started. Oh, and extra bonus... a couple got engaged while we were there and it was very romantic to watch! We had a great time!
