A trip to The Ice ArenA is a unique and entertaining, physical adventure. It can be a fun reward, an educational or development experience, it’s a great option for an end of term outing, or a special experience for exchange students. Both students and teachers can have a great time! There will be smiles all round as you experience something out of the ordinary for most Australians.
We welcome:
Schools | OSHC & Child Care Services | Council & Youth Groups | Scout & Guide Groups | Sports Clubs | And many more
Snow & Ice Excursion
Our Snow & Ice package lets you experience the best of both Ice Skating and Snow Play. We've combined our two best public programs with Schools, OSHC and Community Groups in mind.
We split the ice in 2 - on one side is Ice Skating and the other is Snow Play. Everyone can choose their own experience, and have a go at one or both.
Our Snow & Ice Excursions are recommended for Ages 4-12 (Grades K-6), however, all ages and All-Abilities can have fun at The Ice ArenA.
ICE SKATING
Strap on some skates, grab a frame if needed, get on the ice, and go! Try skating forwards and backwards, maybe try gliding on one foot, then the other, and if you’ve got all that, try some slaloms or swizzles. Or keep it simple and skate with your mates. Bonus points if the teachers are cool enough to join in!
SNOW PLAY
We drop piles of real snow onto the ice and deck it out with props, obstacles, games, toys, sleds, and snowball makers. Try building snowmen and snowcastles, have a sled race, or test your aim with our penguin target board or have a snowball fight with your friends, or your teacher!
SESSION TIMES
Schools & Community Groups can visit The Ice ArenA any weekday during School Terms.
We have two session times available:
- Morning – 11:00AM to 1:00PM
- Afternoon – 1:00PM to 3:00PM
Most schools tend to book for up to 2 hours and we find this is a good amount of time for most kids to enjoy all the different activities and it fits in well with lunch.
CAPACITY
Each booking requires a minimum of 25 people, and each session can accommodate up to 120 people.
You can bring a class or several classes, or split between morning and afternoon sessions and bring multiple year levels.
For smaller groups, we combine other bookings in the same session. Private bookings are available for an additional fee upon request.
WHAT TO BRING
- LONG PANTS ARE MANDATORY
- Warm layers, you’ll warm up while moving and cool down quickly once stopped
- Thick, long socks, or two pairs of socks
- Gloves and beanies are also recommended
- A full water bottle, hydration is important even in the cold
BENEFITS OF A SNOW & ICE EXCURSION
Even if you don’t move, standing on skates engages different leg and stability muscles. But we’re sure everyone will be so busy having fun they won’t even realise they’re also exercising. It’s also super low impact compared to other contact sports and running.
Ice Skating and Snow Play are a lot of fun, and they’re also great for development. Skating and snow provide opportunities to experience the icey cold, feel the hardness of ice, the softness of snow, how the light interacts with powdery snow vs smooth ice, and engage in mobility and balance practice.
Just fill out and submit the Schools & Community Enquiry and one of our team will be in touch to assist you with your booking. We are open until late and available to help outside of school hours. Pay by cash, card, or invoice (14 day terms, purchase order required). You can also call us on 08 7123 0812 for any other information and questions.
Don’t break the budget looking for something fun and engaging to do with your students. For a small flat rate per person, including skate hire and snow toys, a Snow & Ice package is a fun, healthy, inexpensive outing that gets the students and teachers alike moving, laughing, and learning.
Teachers and volunteers are encouraged to join in, but it’s not mandatory. We recommend 1 teacher or supervisor per 10 children to join in on the on-ice activities. Excursions are an opportunity for students and teachers to have fun together.
The Ice ArenA building is over 40 years old, while we believe Ice Sports are for Everyone, our venue is as accesible and disabled friendly as we could make it. There is a ramp for access to the building, wide doorways and an open layout, a small step to get onto the ice, and our disabled bathroom will fit most wheelchairs. See our All Abilities page for more info, send an Enquiry, or give us a call.
BOOKINGS
To book, simply fill out the Schools & Community Enquiry at the bottom of this page and one of our team will be in touch to assist you with your booking.
Bookings must be placed at least 7 days in advance. Approximate numbers are required to place your booking. Final numbers will be confirmed on the day when you arrive. Please communicate any changes to numbers before your booking so we can best accommodate you.
Cost is $19.50 flat rate for children and teachers/supervisors.
Payment for your booking can be made on the day or by invoice (14 day terms, purchase order number required). Please arrive 15 minutes early and visit the Reception desk prior to your session to confirm the final numbers and orders for payment.
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for all the details, by placing a booking your organisation is agreeing to these terms.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
SKATING AIDS
Skating aids are available for use for FREE during sessions. We have regular skate frames and push-along penguins.
SNOW PLAY TOYS
We have a range of toys from buckets, snowball makers, and toboggans available for FREE to use during sessions.
RESERVED TABLES
We’ll reserve tables to fit your group so you have somewhere to place bags and shoes, put on skates, and to sit when taking a break from all the fun.
FRIENDLY, CERTIFIED STAFF
Our staff don’t just work here, they’re part of the ice sports community too, and they hold First Aid certificates as well as current WWCCs.
CAFÉ
With a kitchen on site, and a wide variety of food and drink options, fuel your Snow & Ice excursion with lunch from our café.
You’ll be burning more calories in the cold after all.
LUNCH ORDERS AVAILABLE
Lunch Orders are available for pre-order, including vegetarian and vegan options on request. Orders must be placed 7 business days prior to your booking. Simply fill out the Lunch Order Form after you’ve placed your booking request.
OPEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Student, teachers and volunteers can also purchase food, drink, sweets and snacks on the day. And Adults, you’ll be thankful for our coffee and tea to wrap your hands around.
WATER
Due to COVID-19 we do not have public water fountains and do not refill water bottles in the kitchen. We encourage everyone to bring a large, full water bottle with them. You can request jugs of water and cups for your table if required.
FOOD INTOLERANCES & ALLERGIES
Upon request, we can provide vegetarian and vegan options, and we have some accommodations for gluten, dairy, egg, and nut allergies. If you have anyone with special dietary requirements, please chat with us about options.
NO OUTSIDE FOOD & DRINK POLICY
Please note, The Ice ArenA does not allow external food & drinks into the building, water bottles are excluded. If you wish to bring your own lunch, consider taking advantage of the natural environment and stunning scenery of Bonython Park across the road.
LUNCH ORDERS
All Lunch Order meals come with a side of chips and a drink: either a juice box or bottle of water or soft drink.
Meals are $10.00 each.
- Chicken Nuggets meal
- Hot Dog meal
- Fried Fish meal
- Vegetarian meal*
- Vegan meal**
* limited items kept in stock
** special order only, stock not held, contact us to discuss options
MAKE A DAY OF IT
The Ice ArenA is conveniently located across the road from Bonython Park. Visit us for some Snow & Ice, have some lunch from the café and then head over to the park to warm up, play games and explore nature.
Bonython Park is also home to an “All Access” Playground.
This is a great option for large groups requiring split sessions as there are no multiple trips back and forth.
SAFETY
Your safety is our first priority when you come to The Ice ArenA, we want everyone to leave with a good experience of their time with us. We aim to minimise risks by maintaining the venue and facilities as best we can, The Ice ArenA is over 40 years old after all, as many of our Adelaide locals will know.
Behaving in a sensible manner and using some common sense will ensure a safe, fun time for everyone.
With any sport or form of exercise, there are inherent risks, and it is a condition of entry that students, teachers and volunteers follow all directions from our experienced staff. We recommend for every 10 children that 1 teacher or supervisor accompanies on the on-ice activities. You’re also welcome to approach our staff for advice and tips too. We love this place and we want you to love it too so we’re more than happy to help with skating advice.
Should an injury occur, our First Aid Certified staff will attend to the injury and complete an incident report in our First Aid Room or at your reserved table for the comfort of the patient. We will facilitate getting the appropriate medical care or call an ambulance if necessary. We strongly suggest that at least one car accompanies your group, so in the case of an emergency, the patient can be transported to a doctor without inconveniencing the whole group.
We have local medical clinics nearby including the Western Clinic Medical Centre on Henley Beach Road, Mile End, and the Brickworks Medical Centre. In the rare situation of a serious injury, the Royal Adelaide Hospital is 1km away, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woodville is 6.5km away
Tips to Minimize Risk:
- Wear long layers – clothing that covers your arms, legs, and hands, LONG PANTS ARE MANDATORY
- Make sure skates fit snugly – Its a common mistake to choose a bigger size for ‘comfort’
- Always skate in the same direction as others – don’t skate across the flow of skaters either
- Skate within your limits – beginners should start slow and use the skate aids provided
While not required, students can wear protective gear, such as bike helmets, shin, knee, and elbow pads and gloves, if preferred.
GETTING HERE
Allocated street parking for buses
Underground carpark
Street parking, free for 2 hours
Next to Thebarton tram stop
Schools & Community Enquiry Form
Please fill out the below details to send an enquiry or to start the booking process. Someone from our team will be in touch to assist you.
Please only fill out the Lunch Order Form after you have sent your Booking Enquiry Form. The Booking Enquiry Form can found above this section.
Lunch Orders must be placed at least 10 business days prior to booking to ensure stock.
