Ice ArenA, formerly known as Snowdome Adelaide, formerly known as Mt Thebarton Snow & Ice, is located in Adelaide, Australia. It operated the world's first indoor ski slope from 1987 to 2005.
The centre first opened with two ice skating rinks (one large 56×26m rink and one smaller 30×15m surface) in 1981. The indoor snow slope was added in 1987.
The facility temporarily closed in June 2005 due to the running costs of the centre, but has since reopened minus the indoor slope. The financial strain was due to poor management, from the privatizations of utilities (eg. electricity, water) from the government, and also increases in the cost of public liability insurance.
The general public skating times include:
- Monday to Friday from 10.00am - 4.00pm
- Wednesday Night from 7.00pm - 9.30pm
- Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm - 4.00pm
- 'The Fridge' sessions Friday and Saturday nights from 7.30pm -
11.00pm (this is $14.00 per person for all ages plus $3.00 skate
hire)
- Public Holidays from 12.00pm - 4.00pm.
Prices are $13.50 per person (15 years and over), $11.00 per person (6-14 years), $6.00 per person (5 years and under) and skate hire is $3.00 per session.
Family discount applies to all sessions and includes 15% off admission price only, minimum 1 adult and 2 children skating.
The hire skates should be close fitting as they need to feel like an extension of your foot. To assist in your skating and for your safety, there should be no heel movement but your toes should be able to wiggle. When laced or buckled, no more than one finger should fit down the back of the tongue. If you're unhappy with the fit or feel of your boot, take them back to Skate Hire and ask for a different pair. Ask the staff for help if you are unsure about how to buckle or lace the boots. Blisters are normally caused by movement of the foot inside the boot, so it's important to have your boots fastened tightly.
The Adelaide Ice Sports Academy offers a wide range of ice
skating lessons including the following programs:
- Junior Academy (3-7 years)
- Learn to Skate Academy (8 years - Adult)
- Adult Academy
- Future Stars Academy
- Synchronized Skating Academy
- Ice Hockey Academy
Lessons are 55 minutes duration (20-45 minutes for Juniors). The Learn to Skate Academy, Freestyle Academy and Ice Hockey Academy courses also include practices during public sessions and other specified times.
These lessons are based on the Aussie Skate Program which has been specifically designed to suit the needs of all people wanting to ice skate. It uses a series of graded tests with merit awards, allowing newcomers to the sport to progress at their own pace to whatever level they choose. All skaters enrolled in the Adelaide Ice Sports Academy classes are automatically members of Aussie Skate.
The Silver Blades Figure Skating Club (SBFFC) provides opportunities for skaters to compete in Club competitions on a regular basis. Skaters can enter these competitions from the completion of the Basic 1 assessment and above. Competing in competitions requires the skater to be a member of the Club. The SBFFC sells skating accessories at the Ice ArenA on Saturday mornings.
