Sub-Zero Ice Center

Madison, WI · Public skating times & prices

Opened in 2023 inside the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center, built on the site of the old Nat

Public skating at Sub-Zero Ice Center: the next 7 days

Monday, October 12

  • · Public Skate

Tuesday, October 13

  • · Public Skate

Wednesday, October 14

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Friday, October 16

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Saturday, October 17

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Sunday, October 18

  • · Public Skate

Admission and skate rental

Admission
$4–$6 · Official source
Skate rental
$3 · Official source
Address
1976 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706
Phone
(608) 263-6566
Website
recwell.wisc.edu
The curved glass-and-metal exterior of the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the building that houses the Sub-Zero Ice Center. — Sub-Zero Ice Center
The curved glass-and-metal exterior of the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the building that houses the Sub-Zero Ice Center. Photo: UW-Madison Recreation & Wellbeing · Source
Empty ice sheet viewed end-to-end from the boards, with a "SUB-ZERO ICE CENTER" wall sign above the rink and a red UW logo painted at center ice. — Sub-Zero Ice Center
Empty ice sheet viewed end-to-end from the boards, with a "SUB-ZERO ICE CENTER" wall sign above the rink and a red UW logo painted at center ice. Photo: UW-Madison Recreation & Wellbeing · Source

The rink inside UW–Madison's Bakke Center

Sub-Zero Ice Center is the rink inside the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center, which opened on the UW–Madison campus in 2023 on the site of the old Nat. Bakke was the second building of Rec Well's master plan and its third project overall, and it carries the name of lead donors Jim ('77) and Sue Bakke.

The ice shares the building with a 25-yard recreational pool, eight multipurpose courts, a climbing and bouldering wall and rooftop fitness areas, with views out to Lake Mendota. Rec Well's ice schedule divides the sheet between public skate, freestyle sessions for Basic 4 and up, ice dance, and 18-and-older stick and puck and open hockey.

Bakke changed the older campus ice too. For decades under Rec Well, the historic Shell hosted athletic competitions and community ice programs; after Bakke opened in 2023, the Shell was given back to UW Athletics.

Before you head out.

Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.

Admission

Single-session rink fees: UW student & youth $4; Rec Well member $5; non-Rec Well member $6. A valid Rec Well membership or photo ID card is required.

Source checked · · Official source

Skates & rentals

A one-time skate rental is $3, bought at the Member Services Office. Helmets rent for $2 at the front desk.

Source checked · · Official source

Booking & check-in

Rec Well publishes daily schedules on the ice-rink page for public skate, freestyle, stick-and-puck, open hockey and ice dance.

Source checked · · Official source

Skating with children

Public skate is open to recreational, beginner and advanced skaters; visitors age 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult in the facility.

Source checked · · Official source

Parking & arrival

Parking near the rink is in Lot 67, across the street from the Bakke, and Lot 36, the Observatory Drive ramp, both at hourly rates. For more parking information the rink refers visitors to UW Transportation.

Source checked · · Official source

Amenities

Lockers are provided for rental in the ice rink.

Source checked · · Official source

Rink rules

All children 17 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult while in the facility.

Source checked · · Official source

A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.