This Florida Lodge Simply Opened an Outside Ice-skating Rink — and It’s Fabricated from Actual Ice

When you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, West Palm Seaside, Florida, gained’t make the listing — except, in fact, you dream of a world the place the air is heat and palm timber are swaying whereas you sip sizzling chocolate and lace up your ice skates.

Your winter-in-paradise fantasies can come true this 12 months at The Ben West Palm, which lately opened an al fresco Winter Wonderland that includes Aspen-inspired chalets, 4 wintry meals and beverage shops, and an out of doors ice-skating rink.

It’s the primary (and solely) out of doors ice-skating rink in South Florida, the place wintertime temps hover between the mid-60s and higher 70s — and sure, the rink is fabricated from actual ice.

Questioning how that works? It’s not Frozen-level sorcery: it’s Ice America’s state-of-the-art refrigeration system, which makes use of aluminum coils to repeatedly freeze the ice, making an ice-skating rink potential even in a state that can by no means see a naturally frozen lake or river.

A part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment, The Ben is thought for one-of-a-kind experiences and distinctive occasions, and this tropical Winter Wonderland expertise is not any exception. Specialised lighting, music, and festive decor goal to make guests really feel as in the event that they’ve stepped into a captivating wintertime village, however with palm timber and the Intracoastal Waterway on the horizon as a substitute of snow-capped mountains.

“We’re extremely excited to convey this magical expertise to the area people,” Bernardo Neto, the overall supervisor of The Ben, stated in a launch supplied to Journey + Leisure. “The Ben Lodge thrives on creating moments which might be actually surprising in South Florida, and this winter wonderland is not any exception. From the actual ice skating to the festive meals and chalet-inspired ambiance, we’re offering an area the place households and pals can collect and make reminiscences that can final a lifetime.”

The Ben may also supply themed meals and drinks impressed by cozy winter lodges, a VIP space, and a wide range of seasonal occasions, events, and family-friendly actions on the Winter Wonderland.

The Winter Wonderland is open by means of March 1, 2025. Tickets price $20 per grownup and $10 per little one aged 4 to 11 years previous (youngsters aged three and underneath are free) and embody Winter Wonderland entry, rink entry, and ice skate leases. The rink accommodates as much as 70 skaters per 90-minute session and is open to all ages. Purchase tickets and VIP packages at thebenevents.com.

To finish the Christmas in Florida expertise, there’s additionally a vacation playground across the nook full with the world’s solely 35-foot, 700-ton sand tree (and accompanying gentle and music present), a 50-foot Ferris wheel, 100 tons of accompanying sand sculptures, and many different leisure all through the month. The Metropolis of West Palm Seaside’s Vacation in Paradise is open from Dec. 5 by means of Dec. 31.