Outdoor Ice Skating — Local services in White Marsh

My sister and her kids went here not expecting such a horrible experience. First, the skates were terribly uncomfortable. They hurt my sister's ankles and they were unbearable to wear after minutes for me. Like my sister they bothered my ankles but because my feet are wide they squeezed my feet and made it impossible to stand or skate in within minutes of putting them on. Second, the posts for children to use who don't know how to skate were unavailable due to limited quantity. When I asked the staff if there was any system to getting one I was told you just have to find one when its not in use (it was the weekend and the place was packed with all of them out on the rink). So apparently grown men and women take presidence of 5 year olds because they were also using the posts while my young niece and nephew were falling and freezing on the ice repeatedly. Third, there were no lockers to put our personal items in while skating. I did walk past today and I did see lockers but I didn't see keys to them. It looked like you need to bring your own lock. I didn't look close enough but if that is the case then as a first time customer why would I be carrying around a lock? I complained to the staff about the posts and they were able to get me some for the kids eventually but that doesn't excuse the fact they have such a limited quantity and no organized system. The stickers they supply to show you've paid also don't hold. I'll jus buy my own skates and get on the ice for free because no one would notice considering what an unorganized mess this place is.

This is an update in reply to the response. As mentioned I did speak to the staff and after hearing my complaints they got me posts but in your reply there is no mention of the insufficient quantity of posts compared to the volume. I'm assuming there still is no structured system to getting a post and there has been no increase in supply. My main concern was an always be the children. It is unacceptable that grown men and women are out on the rink using these posts for as long as they want while small children have to suffer. This is suppose to be family fun. Where's the fun for these kids busting they're butts on the ice because you can't set up a structured system and supply them with the needed equipment...

I really like this rink. I always try to go later in the night since they are open rather late or during the weekdays to try to avoid dealing with the crowds since I go to practice some figure skating elements. It’s a nice change of atmosphere and pace than my year round home rink. Staff is laid back and the rink is a decent size. However, it can get super packed unexpectedly- so just be aware and prepared for that. Pricing for admission is really affordable, which is a super nice plus! Can’t say anything about the rental skates as I have and use my own skates.

-That being said, my only criticism is that the ice needs to be resurfaced more often as it gets super rough. They claim that they do so every hour but that is not true. I have been coming to this rink since last year and have timed them several times. They go well over an hour- sometimes 2 and the ice gets terrible- dangerous even. To the point where someone could cut themselves if they fall from how rough it gets. The cross cut resurface needs to be more precise. The several times I’ve been already this year, there have been a lot of gaps missed on the ice and the outside edges by the boards completely missed.

If they could fix their promptness and thoroughness on their zamboni service - then it would most definitely be a 5 star review.

*not a critique, just a PSA. Beware of kids who get rowdy and don’t get corrected by their parents on nights where there’s a predominately kid crowd and its kind of packed... Many random Penguin poles skidding by from kids tossing them randomly- whether to chase them or because they’re done using them and prefer obstructing someone’s path over putting it away in its...

I had a good time up till my daughter asked for a penguin, we saw one on the ice and I got it for her, moments later this lady was screaming we took it from her granddaughter, I gave it back and reminded her they were first come first serve, and went to get off the ice as it was time for us to leave anyhow soon after and saw her making a fist to me like insinuating fighting, I told her in choice words to get lost. Her husband got up came over cruising and yelling sitting next to me on the bench put his arm around me and even at one point poked my shoulder while continuing to yell at me and two young daughters and then proceeded to threaten to follow us home. Security was called and helped get us away from them as his son looked on. I told security I didn’t want him knowing my car as he could tell his lunatic father and he may very well follow us home, he started yelling I stole the penguin from his daughter (not the case, but it made them feel better about their crazy showing in public) While this was a unique situation it shows how unsafe a once thought of safe area can become in an instant. POV the penguins can cause some drama, staff could be quicker to respond. Seemed like a lot of young adults maybe an older adult on staff would be appropriate for when things go wrong. The staff was very apologetic and even offered me a refund...