Winter in Ft. Lauderdale means … outdoor ice skating?

The Riverside Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has a new ice skating rink

Ft. Lauderdale has a beautiful downtown area with interesting buildings, pretty parks and the New River running right through it. Its Las Olas Boulevard is the place to shop, dine and stroll — a stretch of chic between downtown and the beach. The city will have something new to give residents and visitors starting the day after Thanksgiving — an outdoor ice skating rink.

Ice skating among the palm trees?!

Yes, Riverside Hotel and the Las Olas Association are bringing Skate Las Olas, an 1,800-square-foot rink of synthetic ice, to town. Which is perfect, because ice would definitely melt here — even on the coldest day of a Ft. Lauderdale winter.

Skate Las Olas will be open Nov. 25-Jan. 1. Hours will be 4-9 pm Monday-Friday through Dec. 16 and noon-9 pm every day Dec. 17-Jan. 1. The price is $6 for 30 minutes of skating, which includes skates. That’s a better price than the year-round indoor ice skating rinks in the area.

For more details including information about private parties, e-mail Riverside Hotel or call 954-377-0972.