Ice-skating rink will debut atop Ponce City Market this winter

It might be hard to visualize in the midst of a sultry October, but a winter wonderland is scheduled to make its debut next month atop Ponce City Market.

Ten stories above Ponce de Leon Avenue, the Old Fourth Ward mixed-use epicenter is in the process of transforming its Rooftop Terrace events space into “Skate the Sky,” a view-rific ice-skating attraction that’ll be open from Nov. 20 to Feb. 14 (Valentines Day).

Expect 3,500 square feet of ice, seasonal food and beverage offerings such as hot toddies, holiday decor galore, and distant Buckhead vistas.

Tickets for 50 minutes of skating will cost $15 per adult or child. That includes skate rental and admission to the rest of The Roof. Correction: Admission to the rest of The Roof is $10 per adult, $7 per child.

The attraction will join other skating options at Centennial Olympic Park and Park Tavern, which have longstanding traditions of helping Southerners bust their arses on substances resembling frozen water.

Installing the rink in its elevated perch, a process that recently launched, sounds like no easy feat.

According to a press release, “The high-tech transformation from private event space to ice rink required complex engineering—the first of its kind in Atlanta,” officials wrote. “[It includes] cranes to lay the framework of the rink ... [Roof operators] Slater Hospitality’s team and engineers will use high-tech piped mats cooled by a 120-ton glycol compressor to build the surface.”

Not exactly a garden hose and baby pool.

...

Rink hours:

Sunday: noon to 9 p.m.

Monday—Wednesday: 3 to 10 p.m.

Thursday—Saturday: 3 to 11 p.m., with age 21+ only access after 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays

• Photos: Ponce City Market’s view-rific ‘Rooftop Terrace’ events space [Curbed]