Vacationing families just like ours have enjoyed The Curry Village Ice Rink for nearly 100 years since it was first established in 1928.

Located in majestic Yosemite National Park, in the western part of Curry Village and nestled below Glacier Point, this gem offers breathtaking views of snow-capped Yosemite icons like Half Dome.

Despite its long history, the Curry Village rink boasts all the amenities of a modern ice skating rink.

Perfect for a family vacation excursion, a large supply of rental skates is offered and skaters of all ages enjoy a warming hut, cubbies for shoe storage and hot drinks and snacks. In addition to ice skating, Curry Village Ice Rink features a warm fire pit adjacent to the rink where families often enjoy s’mores while drinking in views of Half Dome, watching the activity on the ice, sipping hot cocoa or just reveling in the natural beauty of Yosemite in winter. One visit and you won't be surprised that Sunset Magazine ranked it as a top ten skating rink in the West. We love it and go back year after year to make memories.

As far as we're concerned, nothing beats ice skating with the tapestry of Yosemite Valley framing the spectacular views. Yosemite Valley continues to offer outstanding winter family-friendly outdoor recreation and there exists no place more beautiful in the winter for enjoying some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.

Daily skating sessions (subject to weather conditions) are offered from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9:30 p.m. weekdays. On weekends, the rink is open for an extra morning session from 8:30 to 11 a.m., afternoon sessions from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m., and an evening session from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The cost to skate is $9.50 per adult, per session, and $8.50 per child. Skate rentals are $4.00 per session. Helmets are available at no additional cost.

The Curry Village Outdoor Ice Rink is operated by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, an authorized National Park Service concessionaire, responsible for lodging, dining, guest recreation and transportation in Yosemite.

For more information on winter activities and lodging in Yosemite, visit: www.YosemitePark.com or call 801-559-4949. For current ice rink conditions, call 209-372-8319. For road and weather conditions, call the automated National Park Service information line at 209-372-0200.

Carmel L. Mooney is the editor of Roadtripsforcouples.com, an online travel magazine. Carmel co-hosts a travel radio show every Sunday at noon on KJAY 1430 AM in Sacramento. Her family travel column can be read in California Kids Magazine at: www.valcomnews.com You can follow her on Twitter: @roadtriplover or Facebook. Carmel is also the Executive Director of Pawsitive Service Dog Solutions, a non-profit that trains and places Autism Service Dogs. You can read her service dog blog at: www.pawsitivesolutions.org

(photo courtesy of: DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite)