When you think of Gurney’s, you think of sand and sea, but now there is another fun activity to do this winter….skating! On October 10, Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa opened their new ice skating rink, located on the roof of their spa, and overlooking the beautiful ocean beach!
What could be better than skating above the rolling waves, high on the cliffs at this year-round resort? One of the reasons they opened this rink, is to extend the season, making Montauk a year-round destination. Open to the public, this ice skating rink is actually made out of white plastic, even though it looks like ice.
“We wanted it to be light enough to sit on the roof of the spa, and ice is just too heavy,” said Simon de Swaan, Gurney’s Food & Beverage Director, who oversees the rink. “We oil it daily, and it is just a bit slower than real ice, but people are still enjoying it.”
He said Gurney’s used to have an ice skating rink many years ago, in a different location, outside the restaurants, and “we decided to bring it back.” He said the rink officially opens on November 1, and up until then it is free to all. Starting then, it will be $15 for adults, $10 for children, and $3.00 to rent skates, unless you bring your own. Locals get in for half-price, with ID, and the rink is free for all of Gurney’s registered guests.
“This is the only ice skating rink on the East End of Long Island, located right on the ocean,” said de Swaan. It will have lights and music, and also a bar with hot beverages, including hot toddies, hot cider, hot chocolate, and mulled port.”
The ice skating rink is truly beautiful, especially at sunset, when its surrounding trees light up, and there are even heat lamps and lovely wooden benches for seating around the rink. There is also an attendant present at the rink, and a Deejay is scheduled on the weekends, for fun music.
The kids at Montauk Public School are excited about having an ice skating rink in their hometown. Recently, two of them, Kendall Stedman and Kaitlyn Damm, were trying out the ice.
“It’s great to have something else to do in Montauk, especially in the winter,” said Damm. “The rink is fun.”
The new ice skating rink will be open on Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bar hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.,
and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
