Yellow twinkling lights reflect off the ice, illuminating the faces of the young kids gliding around the rink as they lean on their small seals for support. Opposite the rink, vendors smile as they greet customers, handing them cups of hot cocoa.

Bringing a “Winter Wonderland” to West Palm Beach, The Ben Hotel opened a new ice skating rink which has room for up to 70 people. Publications like Travel + Leisure have recognized it for its “state-of-the-art refrigeration system,” which keeps the rink frozen even with the Florida heat. This rink is the first and only outdoor ice-skating rink in South Florida to use real ice, and it will be available to the public until March 1, 2025.

“They do brand new (aluminum) coils every couple of months that are running underneath the ice that are five degrees Fahrenheit,” the employee granting admission, Logan, said. 

Every half hour or so, the skaters exit the rink so that workers can operate an ice resurfacer called a Zamboni, which cleans and smooths out the ice. Workers then go in by hand, using scrapers to get to the spots the Zamboni can’t get to.

Opening just in time for the holiday season on Nov. 1, the rink has attracted families, giving them the option to ice skate or enjoy the merchandise for sale. At one vendor’s shop, kids picked up candy, popcorn, and tiaras, while parents grabbed holiday shirts and sweaters.

“It’s something that you and your family can do and enjoy,” a vendor worker said.

Some students that ice skate competitively have also been to the rink, including vocal senior Andie Miller. 

“My mom sent me a news article about it, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s so cool,’” Miller said. “So then I immediately went to go check it out after school.” 

From food and beverage vendors to holiday lights, the ice rink provides winter activities  during and beyond the holiday season. Employees said that the goal behind the rink was to bring the “Christmas spirit” to the community.

“Having activities to do with friends outside of school is great, especially around the holidays,” Miller said. “Ice skating is a holiday activity. I went with my friends, and it was really fun.” 

Tickets cost $20 per adult, $10 for children between 4-11 years old, and free for kids under 3, and they include Winter Wonderland access, rink entry, and ice skate rentals. You can buy tickets and VIP packages at thebenevents.com.