Okay…so it’s the end of January and the entire Eastern Sierra looks like late Fall with only snow on the highest of peaks, and all the table lands and valleys filled with brown vegetation. So quit moping around waiting for the snow and try something new!
When we are faced with these sort of unusual snow years, there are always many other activities to enjoy in the mountains. If you are a climber, cyclist, runner, or even just a hiker, the weather is still perfect and the outdoors is a great place to be. But the activity that has really been superb this winter has been the ICE SKATING!
I’m not talking about the Mammoth Ice Rink (http://www.ci.mammoth-lakes.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=438), although that is fun too. But what I’m referring to is all the frozen bodies of water in the Sierra right now that are pristine for ice skating. With the temperatures still dropping below freezing at night, but no snow to cover the surface, there is a vast variety of natural ice skating rinks surround the Mammoth Lakes area just waiting for you to skate on them.
Crowley Lake was great about two weeks ago. Here is a group of us playing a little makeshift ice hockey. The recent warm tempos have caused it to unfreeze in many areas, so I don’t recommend going there right now.
But the Alkali Ponds off Green Church Road (Benton Crossing Rd) have been phenomenal! And you can’t ask for a better view while out there. Check it out!
These are easy to get to and quality ice. I headed over to the siphon tub for a natural hot water soak afterwards. What a day!
For more information on Eastern Sierra ice skating, you can check out this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastern-Sierra-Backcountry-Ice-Skating/180447440786
But before heading out to skate on a frozen lake or pond, please be sure you know that the ice is think enough, have the proper safety equipment, and always skate with a friend. If this is new to you, I suggest going online and reading about ice skating safety and educating yourself o the dangers.
Written by Eric Leach / 800-921-6520 / eric@ResortPropertyRealty.com
Hi there!
I’m a film producer from Brazil, leaving in Los Angeles and I’m looking for a ice skating outdoor location to shoot a short film scene for a film student from UCLA, his final thesis project, and I’d like to know if is it possible to film in Eastern Sierra Ice Skating, and how much it would be to rent the place for 1 or 2 days shooting?
Thank you very much!
Fernando Camargo
Hi Fernando,
These are all open outdoor frozen lakes that are free for anyone to access and film at. Just be careful and be sure you know the ice is good before you go out on it. Good luck!
Thanks, Eric