Ice skating in the desert: No freezing temperatures required

By Delen Goldberg

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 | 2 a.m.

The Las Vegas Strip is getting a new attraction this winter: an ice rink. Or rather, an “ice” rink.

A 35-foot by 85-foot synthetic ice skating rink will be installed next month at the Venetian on top of the resort’s Grand Canal. The rink will “float” on the water as gondoliers paddle by.

It won’t be made of ice. Instead, skaters will glide on top of a recyclable polymer surface made to look like ice. They’ll wear real skates, but they won’t feel cold. The synthetic rink requires no electricity or refrigeration, a plus in Las Vegas’ mild climate.

To keep it slippery, vendor BH Skating Parks International will spray the surface with a glide enhancer liquid that reduces the friction of skate blades. Even so, the rink will feel significantly slower than real ice.

The rink is part of the first “Winter in Venice” celebration at Sheldon Adelson’s Venetian and Palazzo resorts. Holiday events run Nov. 21 to Jan. 8 and include strolling carolers, candy cane stilt walkers, puppets, jugglers and magicians. A 65-foot LED Christmas tree will decorate the top of the Doge’s Palace fountain, more than 2,000 lights will adorn the skating rink, and giant snowflakes will hang from the Venetian’s facade. The Doge Palace will also host a nightly holiday light show.

The skating venture is not Adelson’s first foray into winter sports. The Marina Bay Sands in Singapore has a synthetic ice skating rink in its shopping mall.

Executives declined to say how much the rink will cost to build. The price for skating will be steep: $19 for a half-hour ($14 with a rewards card).

Resort officials hope the attraction sets the Venetian and Palazzo apart from their competition. Resorts president John Caparella called the festivities “the Strip’s first-ever true winter celebration.”

“The first weeks of December have historically proved to be less busy for Las Vegas,” Caparella said. “With the holidays being such a special time for people everywhere, our goal is to create a celebration that entices both visitors and locals alike to celebrate the holidays with us.”