Admission
The Vail Recreation District lists public skating admission at $6 for ages 4 and under, $8 for ages 5-12 and $10 for ages 13 and older, with 2026/27 public skating info listed as coming soon.
Source checked · · Official source
Dobson Arena
Vail's ice arena since 1979, renovated and reopening for skating in November 2026
Public skating at Dobson Arena: the next 7 days
Currently out of season The Vail Recreation District says Dobson Arena has been renovated and that programming will begin in November 2026. Its Public Skating & Hockey page still says the arena is closed to the public until further notice and that 2026/27 public skating info is coming soon, and its online schedule lists no sessions yet, so no public sessions are shown here yet. Official schedule update
- Address
- 320 E Lionshead Cir, Vail, CO 81657
- Phone
- (970) 479-2271
- Website
- vailrd.specialdistrict.org
A 1979 mountain arena, rebuilt around its wooden roof
Dobson Arena was built in 1979 and stayed largely unchanged for decades apart from a few minor remodels. It is the Vail Recreation District's ice arena, with public skating, youth hockey, Vail Yeti games and concerts all part of its programming.
In June 2024 the Vail Town Council and the recreation district agreed on a $55 million remodel. The plan reinforced the roof while keeping its wooden look on the inside, added rigging capacity for event producers, and raised fixed seating from 680 to 1,091. The ice was to be out of use for only one winter season.
The district now says the renovated arena is almost ready, with programming beginning in November 2026. Registration is already open for youth hockey, including the Colorado Avalanche's Mile High Mites Learn to Play program, offered with the NHL and NHLPA.
Before you head out.
Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.
Skates & rentals
Skate rentals are $5.
Source checked · · Official source
Booking & check-in
No registration is required for public skating, and all ages are welcome.
Source checked · · Official source
Skating with children
Toddler Time Skating is for ages 3-5 and includes skates and instruction; no registration is required, and the district lists the time as to be determined.
Source checked · · Official source
Parking & arrival
Parking is available at the Lionshead Parking Structure, a short walk from the arena.
Source checked · · Official source
A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.