From first-time skaters to Olympic hopefuls, from toddlers to seniors, from hockey to curling — Escondido Ice puts world-class ice recreation five minutes from home.
A two-week mini Learn to Skate session offering free introductory lessons for first-time skaters. Covers the fundamentals: sitting and standing up on ice, marching, and gliding. Led by professional skating staff. Perfect for families who've never been on ice before.
Ages: All ages · Cost: Free · Led by professional skating staff
The Rinks' flagship Learn to Skate program has enrolled thousands of Southern California skaters and is ranked the #1 program of its kind in the country (at Great Park Ice). Offers progression tracks in general skating, hockey, and figure skating, led by experienced professional instructors.
Ages: All ages · Multiple skill levels · Paths to hockey or figure skating
Open recreational skating for all ages and abilities — the gateway activity for discovering a lifelong passion. Available daily, with options for birthday parties, family gatherings, work events, and holiday skating. Rental equipment available.
Ages: All ages · Daily sessions · Rental skates available · Private events bookable
The Rinks' Learn to Play Hockey program began in 2011 and has enrolled over 22,500 kids across Southern California. Currently 4,600+ kids participate annually. The program provides all equipment on ice and is designed to give every child — regardless of background — a shot at the sport.
Ages: 3–12 · Equipment provided · 22,500+ alumni across Southern California · Open to beginners
San Diego's largest youth hockey program with 150+ players and a 40+ year legacy. Competing at age groups from 8-U through 18-U, the Jr. Gulls have produced players who've advanced to the NHL, NCAA, Junior A Tier 1 & 2, and the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Ages: 8U–18U · 150+ players · Elite development track · Home games at Escondido Ice
Launched in 2016, the Jr. Gulls Girls program grew from zero to six teams (8-U to 19-U) in just four years. Players have earned spots in NCAA Division I & III programs and represented Team USA internationally. USA Hockey named The Rinks a Model Club Association for girls development.
Ages: 8U–19U · Six teams · NCAA & Team USA alumni · USA Hockey Model Club
Launched in 2008 with one team, the ADHSHL now fields 55 teams across Southern California. Six teams representing 58 schools in San Diego County are already competing — including Carlsbad United, Cathedral Central, La Jolla Country Day, Poway, Pacific Ridge, and San Diego Union. Escondido Ice becomes their local home.
55 teams · 6 SD county teams from 58 schools · Open to high school students with no prior experience required
From beginner glides to national-level competition, Escondido Ice will offer full figure skating programming. The Rinks Foundation's Great Park Ice facility trained four U.S. figure skaters to the 2022 Beijing Olympics, including Nathan Chen (2022 Olympic gold medalist) under head coach Rafael Arutyunyan — four-time Coach of the Year and PSA Hall of Famer.
All skill levels · Recreational through competitive · Professional coaching staff · Competition hosting
Great Park Ice hosts the largest adult hockey program in Southern California. Escondido Ice will bring the same model locally — recreational leagues, drop-in hockey, and competitive divisions for adults of all skill levels. You don't have to be a kid to start playing.
Ages: 18+ · Recreational and competitive divisions · Drop-in sessions · Beginner-friendly
Escondido Ice will offer sled hockey, adaptive skating, and inclusive programs for participants with disabilities — the same programming The Rinks Foundation has championed at Great Park Ice, which has hosted the NHL Sled Hockey Classic and Disabled Hockey Jamboree.
All ages and abilities · Adaptive equipment available · Inclusive programming
One of the most inclusive ice sports — no skating required — curling and broomball make ice accessible to everyone. Great for corporate events, team-building, birthday parties, and community gatherings. Escondido Ice will offer regular curling leagues and open sessions.
No skating required · Great for teams & groups · Leagues and open sessions
Following the Great Park Ice model, Escondido Ice will host USA Hockey National Championship tournaments, figure skating competitions, college hockey games, Anaheim Ducks exhibition events, and multi-day tournaments drawing visitors from across the region. These events drive significant hotel, restaurant, and retail spending in Escondido.
USA Hockey Nationals · Figure skating competitions · Ducks events · Multi-day tournaments
Southern California's youth hockey participation has grown 40% over the past decade. California has the fastest youth hockey growth rate in the country for seven consecutive years. San Diego County has only 5 ice rinks for the 5th most populous county in the United States. The demand is there. The facility isn't — yet.
The San Diego Gulls — the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks — will use Escondido Ice as their primary practice facility. The Gulls are entering their 12th AHL season in 2026–27.
Having a professional AHL team practice in Escondido elevates every youth program at the facility — aspiring players skate where the pros train.
The Gulls serve as the primary development affiliate for NHL Anaheim Ducks. Players drafted by the Ducks develop through the Gulls system — and soon, they'll do it in Escondido's backyard.
Ryan Johnson (Buffalo Sabres, 1st round), Cam York (Philadelphia Flyers, 1st round) — both developed through The Rinks Foundation system.
Former program players Dominique Petrie, Brooke Bryant, and Cayla Barnes were all drafted to the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).
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