The Sub-Zero Ice Center is your campus home for ice skating and hockey fun. Equipment and locker rental is available for all of our members so you can drop in after class, on your way to work, or for our late night skates.
ICE RINK
Sub-Zero Ice Center
1976 Observatory Dr
Madison, WI, 53706
SKATE PASSES
Purchase a Skate Pass for unlimited access to our Open Rec Skate, Open Hockey, and Stick & Puck at the rink. Open Rec Skate is open to all ages. Participants must be at least 18 years of age for Open Hockey and Stick & Puck.
| Semester/Summer | Fall + Spring | |
| UW Student | $40 | $70 |
| Rec Well Member |
$50 | $90 |
| Non-Rec Well Member |
$60 | $110 |
SKATE AT BAKKE
Our ice rink schedule provides certain times for recreational and figure skaters to take to the ice and for hockey enthusiasts to practice, play, and hone your puck-handling skills. All participants must be at least 18 years of age.
PUBLIC SKATE
Invite your friends to join you as you enjoy time on the ice. Recreational, beginner, and advanced skaters are all welcome to join us at the Sub-Zero Ice Center during this time.
18 & OLDER STICK & PUCK
Practice your non-shooting hockey skills during dedicated times. Gloves and helmets are required for all players. Goalies are welcome, but no pick-up games are permitted.
18 & OLDER OPEN HOCKEY
Get on the ice for pick-up hockey games. Full hockey gear is recommended. The first two goalies to arrive for each session will be admitted at no charge.
FREESTYLE SKATE: BASIC 4+/ADULT ADVANCED 4+*
This offering is an opportunity for figure skaters to work on their skills in an environment dedicated solely to figure skating. Skaters are required to fill divots created from jumps, slush will be provided for that purpose.
ICE DANCE**
Provides figure skaters with a session dedicated to just ice dance and is open to all ages, either solo or partner skating. Ice dancing, rooted in ballroom dance, features pattern dances like the waltz, along with favorites like the two-step.
Forward outside edge on a circle, left & right foot, forward inside edge on a circle, left & right foot, forward crossovers, clockwise & counter clockwise, backward 1-foot glide on left & right foot, and backward 1/2 swizzle pumps, clockwise & counter clockwise
Skaters should have passed at least one USFSA pattern dance or be planning on testing within one month. and should be knowledgeable of the general patterns of ice dance. Footwork practice specific to ice dance is permitted but no skating skills/moves in the field practice. Generally, dances will be played starting with the lower-level dances first and progressing to higher-level dances.
RINK FEES & SKATE RENTALS
Rink Fees
A valid Rec Well membership or photo ID is required to skate.
| UW Student | $4 |
| Rec Well member | $5 |
| Non-Rec Well member | $6 |
Skate Rentals
Skate rentals are available in most sizes at the Sub-Zero Ice Center Member Services office. All participants are eligible to rent skates with a valid Rec Well membership or photo ID.
| One-time rental | $3 |
| Semester rental (unlimited) | $20 |
| Academic year rental (unlimited) | $30 |
Theme Skate Night
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Spring
Join us on selected Saturdays from 7:30 – 9pm for theme skate nights. Have an idea for a future theme? Let us know when you stop in the rink. Helmets are recommended to be worn when skating. Students: $4 (if you bring your skates), $7 (if you need to rent skates).
Theme Skate Night Spring 2025
| Date | Theme |
|---|---|
| January 25 | Gaming Favorites |
| February 1 | Wild West |
| February 8 | Love Songs |
| February 15 | Break Up Songs |
| March 1 | Secret Agent Songs |
| March 8 | Spanish Hits |
| March 15 | Beach Party |
| April 5 | Motown |
| April 12 | Tik Tok Hits |
| April 19 | Reggae Hits |
| April 26 | '90s Hip Hop |
| May 3 | Jazzy Classics |
Summer
Join us on selected Saturdays from 7:30 – 9pm for theme skate nights. Have an idea for a future theme? Let us know when you stop in the rink. Helmets are recommended to be worn when skating. Students: $4 (if you bring your skates), $7 (if you need to rent skates).
Theme Skate Night Summer 2025
| Date | Theme |
|---|---|
| June 21 | School Spirit |
| June 28 | The Epoch Tour (Rec Well's Version) |
| July 12 | World Music |
| July 19 | Classical Pop |
| July 26 | Holidays in July |
| August 2 | Disco |
| August 9 | Merengue Mania |
| August 16 | Y2K |
| August 23 | Afro Hits |
| August 30 | Summertime Sadness |
Fall
Check back later for fall themed skate schedule.
ICE RINK POLICIES
- Instruction by skating professionals during open rec skating sessions is prohibited.
- Skating direction is at the discretion of staff on duty.
- Exercises and activities that may endanger you or others are strictly prohibited. We have the right to stop any activity we deem unsafe.
- All users must immediately exit the ice when the doors to the ice resurfacer garage is open and remain off the ice until resurfacing is complete and the garage doors have closed.
- Benches are provided around the perimeter of the ice rink. Please do not sit on the boards.
- Ice hockey equipment is intended for the ice only. Use of this equipment off the ice is not allowed.
- Any equipment or activity that is not intended for this space must be approved by our staff.
- Stay hydrated with drinks in a sealed and shatterproof container. Please leave your food and gum outside of activity spaces.
- We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Lockers are provided for rental in the ice rink.
RESERVE THE RINK
Interested in reserving one of our facility spaces for an event for your student organization, university department, or community group? All reservations can be made by submitting a Special Event Request Form
For more information, please visit our Reservations & Rentals page or email us.