Ice in Paradise

What Ice in Paradise does

Ice in Paradise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ice skating facility operating since October 10, 2015, under the Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association in Goleta, California. The venue comprises two rinks — Studio Ice (~100 skater capacity) and NHL Ice (~250 skater capacity) — and serves as the only ice facility in the Santa Barbara/Goleta market. It delivers a comprehensive programming stack including public skating sessions, Learn to Skate classes (8-week sessions at $195), youth hockey development (Young Norqs, Jr. Hawks, Monarchs girls' program, Ice Hawks travel hockey ages 8U-18U, Royals high school hockey), adult hockey (Learn to Play, Santa Barbara Adult Hockey League across Divisions 1-5, Stick & Puck, Pick-Up Games), figure skating through the American Riviera Figure Skating Club, freestyle sessions, birthday party packages ($475-$1,045), private ice rentals for corporate and community events, curling, and the on-site Rinkside Cafe. Ancillary services include the Tuohy Foundation-sponsored Success Center (academic tutoring and workstations for student-athletes), STEM Field Trips, Science on Skates (City of Goleta grant-funded), Paradise Pals mentorship, and theatrical productions such as Be Our Guest On Ice.

The underlying technology is a conventional recreation facility stack rather than proprietary software: DaySmart Recreation handles online registration and scheduling, PerfectMind/BookMe4 powers the Santa Barbara Parks & Rec co-registration, Raisely powers the donation portal, ApplicantPro (via Sports Facilities Companies) handles hiring, and LiveBarn streams amateur hockey footage. Marketing is organic and community-led — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, a monthly newsletter, the Community Connections blog, partner channels through Parks & Rec, and earned media via the Santa Barbara Independent Best Of readers poll.

The business model is a hybrid of usage-based admissions (public skating, skate rentals, freestyle, Stick & Puck), subscription/recurring program fees (8-week class sessions, hockey leagues, summer camps), one-time event packages (birthday parties, private rentals), transaction-based cafe revenue, and philanthropic revenue (donations, sponsorships, vehicle donations via CARS, memorial bricks). Customer segments span youth hockey families, figure skaters, adult hockey players, event hosts, casual skaters, and donors. Strategic positioning is differentiated by nonprofit mission, exclusive regional geography, community partnerships (City of Goleta, Tuohy Foundation, UCSB, local nonprofits), and program breadth covering the full development pipeline from Learn to Skate through competitive travel hockey and theatrical figure skating.

Name

Ice in Paradise

Legal name

Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association

Website

https://www.iceinparadise.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ice in Paradise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ice skating facility in Goleta, California, operating two rinks and serving as the only ice venue in the Santa Barbara region. It delivers public skating, lessons, youth and adult hockey, figure skating, events, and educational programs for community members of all ages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ice Skating and Recreational Sports Facility

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKAEAG

Ice Rinks & Winter Sports Facilities

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Venues & Facilities (Stadiums, Arenas, Tracks, Complexes)

Keywords

• Ice skating facility
• Youth hockey programs
• Figure skating lessons
• Recreational sports services
• Community sports center

Headquarters

HQ city

Goleta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Ice Skating Admission: Daily public skating sessions with varying admission fees. Revenue from walk-in customers, tourists, and casual skaters.
2. Skate Rentals: Rental equipment including ice skates and skate helpers for beginners.
3. Program Registration Fees: Revenue from Learn to Skate classes, youth and adult hockey leagues, figure skating clubs, camps, and clinics. Programs offered in 8-week sessions with various skill levels.
4. Food & Beverage (Rinkside Cafe): On-site restaurant and bar serving snacks, meals, pizza, and alcoholic beverages. Indoor seating and outdoor patio with fire pit.
5. Party Packages: Birthday party packages ranging from Cub ($475) to Pauley's ($1,045), including private ice time, food, and party room access.
6. Private Ice Rentals: Corporate events, fundraisers, and private gatherings with rental fees for studio or NHL ice rinks.
7. Freestyle Sessions: Private skating sessions for figure skaters to practice routines and advanced skills, priced per session.
8. Donations & Sponsorships: 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepts donations, sells memorial bricks, offers sponsorship packages, and participates in car donation programs.
9. STEM Field Trips: Educational field trips combining STEM lessons with skating lessons for school groups (K-6th grade), offered in English and Spanish.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ice in Paradise operates a two-rink (Studio Ice and NHL Ice) ice skating facility providing public skating sessions, Learn to Skate classes, youth and adult hockey leagues and clinics, figure skating/freestyle sessions, skating and hockey camps, birthday party packages, and private event rentals. The nonprofit also offers the Success Center (Tuohy Foundation-sponsored academic support) and STEM/science field trip programming, with on-site food and beverage service through Rinkside Cafe.

Product overview

Ice in Paradise is an ice skating rink and recreational facility operated by the Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2015. The facility offers a comprehensive suite of ice-related recreational programs including public skating, Learn to Skate instruction, youth and adult hockey leagues, figure skating clubs, and specialty programs. Core services are delivered through structured programs like Freestyle Sessions, Youth Hockey (Young Norqs, Jr. Hawks, Monarchs, Ice Hawks), Adult Hockey (Learn to Play, Santa Barbara Adult Hockey League), and Learn to Skate classes. Additional offerings include event hosting via Birthday Party Packages and Private Events, educational programs including STEM Field Trips and Science on Skates, academic support through the Success Center, and food service via Rinkside Cafe. The facility also hosts theatrical productions like Be Our Guest On Ice and specialty events including Friday Night Ice Jam, College Night, and Parents' Night Out. The Ice Hawks travel hockey league and Royals Varsity/JV hockey represent the competitive travel hockey component.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Skating Sessions Open ice skating sessions available to the general public on scheduled days and times, with admission and skate rental options. Open to individuals, families, and walk-in visitors.
• Learn to Skate Program Group ice skating classes for all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced, taught by professional coaching staff using the Learn to Skate USA curriculum. Sold as 8-week sessions.
• Youth Hockey Programs Comprehensive youth hockey programming including Young Norqs (ages 4-10), Jr. Hawks Rec League, Monarchs girls-only program (ages 4-16), Hockey Clinics, and Ice Hawks travel hockey (8U-18U at skill levels AA/A/BB/B).
• Adult Hockey Programs Adult hockey programming including Adult Learn to Play Hockey, Santa Barbara Adult Hockey League (skill levels novice to professional), Stick & Puck sessions, and Pick-Up Games for ages 18+.
• Freestyle Sessions Private skating sessions for figure skaters to practice routines and advanced skills, available at various times throughout the week at $20-$25 per session (30 minutes to 1 hour).
• Birthday Party Packages Ice skating birthday party hosting with three package tiers — Cub ($475), Polar ($695), and Pauley's ($1,045) — including admissions, skate rentals, private ice time, food, and party room access.
• Private Events Private ice rink rentals for corporate events, holiday parties, family reunions, graduations, retirements, and other celebrations with Studio Ice (up to 100 skaters) or NHL Ice (up to 250 skaters) options.
• STEM Field Trip Program Two-hour educational field trips combining STEM lessons with guided rink tours and on-ice skating lessons, available in English and Spanish for groups of 15-30 students (grades K-6th).
• Success Center Academic support center offering homework help, volunteer tutoring, standing desks, and workstations for student-athletes. Sponsored by the Tuohy Foundation, open Monday-Thursday 2:30PM-6:30PM.
• Rinkside Cafe On-site food and beverage service offering snacks, meals, drinks, beer, wine, and pizza. Features indoor seating and outdoor patio with fire pit. Open weekdays 11:30am-close, weekends 8am-11pm.
• Ice Skating Camps Full-day and one-day skating camps for ages 5-12, including on-ice instruction, off-ice activities, crafts, and snacks. Available through in-house programs and Parks & Rec partnerships.
• Hockey Camps Hockey-specific camps including Beginner Fun Hockey Camp for ages 5-11 with on-ice and dryland training, and advanced skill development camps.
• Science on Skates Free 8-week after-school program for City of Goleta residents ages 8-10, combining STEM lessons with ice skating instruction twice weekly.
• ISI Hockey Academy Hockey skating skills program using ISI curriculum, taught by elite coaches for ages 4-15 with 30-minute weekly sessions at $110 per 8-week session.
• Parents' Night Out Monthly Saturday evening childcare service (5PM-8PM) for ages 4-12, including skating lessons, games, crafts, activities, and pizza dinner.
• Monarchs Girls Hockey Girls-only hockey program for ages 4-16 at $80 for 8 weeks. Includes a one-time gear exchange fee of $175 covering all gear and free skate rentals.
• Ice Hawks Youth Travel Hockey Youth travel hockey league with teams for ages 8U through 18U across skill levels AA, A, BB, and B, with annual tryouts held at Ice in Paradise.
• Royals High School Hockey Varsity and Junior Varsity hockey league for high school students operating at Ice in Paradise, with annual tryouts for each season.

Quantifiable outcome

• Student athletes improved grades and confidence through Success Center tutoring support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of GoletacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026City of Goleta provides grant funding for Science on Skates program - a free 8-week after-school program for Goleta residents ages 8-10 combining STEM education with skating lessons.
• Little Free LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2025Zamboni-shaped Little Free Library registered with Little Free Library organization. Installed November 7, 2025 in front of Rinkside Cafe outdoor seating. Part of global book-sharing network.
• Jeanne and Jinelle ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2025Produced Be Our Guest On Ice - a theatrical skating spectacle inspired by Beauty and the Beast. First full-length theatrical production at Ice in Paradise, sold out with standing ovations.
• Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating AssociationcoreOthers · 10 October 2015Ice in Paradise operates as a nonprofit under the Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association, EIN #45-0508885. The parent organization oversees the facility's nonprofit status and mission to provide recreational ice skating for the community.
• City of Santa Barbara Parks & RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for beginner skating classes and summer camps. Programs offered through Parks & Rec registration system, targeting ages 3-17 for skating and ages 5-11 for camps.
• Scott Hamilton CARES FoundationcoreOthersHost venue for Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer Frozen 5K fundraiser benefiting Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. Event raised $4,585 for cancer research through 35-lap skating challenge.
• Mothers' HelpersminorOthersLocal nonprofit receiving 25% of proceeds from select public skating sessions during May. Partnership supports families in the Santa Barbara area needing extra support.
• UCSB Gauchos Ice Hockey TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIce in Paradise is home ice for UCSB Ice Hockey team. Hosts practices, pre-tryout sessions, try-outs, and home games. Team competes in WCHC (ACHA) Division 3.
• Ice Hawks (Youth Travel Hockey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIce Hawks is the youth travel hockey league operating at Ice in Paradise. Teams range ages 8U-18U with skill levels AA/A/BB/B. Tryouts held annually at the facility.
• Royals High School HockeycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyals is a varsity and junior varsity hockey league for high school students operating at Ice in Paradise. Tryouts held annually for 2026-2027 season.
• American Riviera Figure Skating ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFigure skating club welcoming skaters from first-timers to experienced. Operates programming at Ice in Paradise facility.
• Sports Facilities CompaniescoreOthersHiring for Ice in Paradise is handled through Sports Facilities Companies and their Applicant Pro online portal. Also provides background check services through Rink Management Services Corporation.
• DaySmart RecreationcoreTechnology or IntegrationRegistration and scheduling platform used for all program registration, event booking, facility reservations, and daily schedules.
• LiveBarnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLiveBarn affiliate partnership provides 10% off subscription for Ice in Paradise users. World's largest broadcaster of amateur sports offering live and on-demand viewing.
• Ice WarehouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIce Warehouse affiliate partnership with promo code Paradise10 gives Ice in Paradise 10% off purchases. Resource for hockey gear including skates, sticks, and apparel.
• IS (Ice Sports Industry)minorOthersLearn to Skate program includes membership to Ice Sports Industry. ISI Hockey Academy uses ISI curriculum for skating classes.
• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)minorOthersCARS Program allows donors to make used car donations to support Ice in Paradise's nonprofit mission. Part of careasy.org nonprofit vehicle donation network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Ice House (Pasadena, CA): Multi-rink Southern California ice sports facility offering public skating, youth and adult hockey, figure skating, and lessons. Directly comparable single-site community rink model serving a similar California demographic.
• Great Park Ice (Irvine, CA): Five-sheet ice facility in Southern California operated by Anaheim Ducks ownership group. Comparable public skating, hockey, and figure skating programming at a similar recreational/community level.
• Toyota Sports Center (El Segundo, CA): Multi-rink facility with public skating, hockey leagues, and figure skating. Comparable Southern California community ice rink with similar mix of recreational and competitive programming.
• Solar4America Ice (San Jose, CA): Multi-rink facility offering public skating, hockey, and figure skating in Northern California. Comparable community-based ice sports operation with youth hockey and learn-to-skate programming.
• Iceland Skating Rink (Paramount, CA): Long-standing Southern California ice rink offering public sessions, lessons, hockey leagues, and figure skating. Comparable single-region community rink with similar recreational programming mix.
• The Rinks (Anaheim, CA): Network of ice facilities operated by Anaheim Ducks ownership, offering public skating, hockey, and figure skating across Southern California. Directly comparable multi-rink operator in same regional market.
• Rocket Ice Skating Rink: Multi-rink Illinois-based ice facility offering public skating, hockey leagues, figure skating, and lessons. Comparable single-operator community rink model with similar programming breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Chelsea Piers: Large-scale multi-sport recreational complex in New York offering ice skating, hockey, and a wide range of other sports. Comparable multi-program recreational venue model, though at much larger scale and with diversified sport portfolio.

Others

• Learn to Skate USA: Industry association and curriculum provider used by Ice in Paradise for Learn to Skate programming. Comparable as an ecosystem/curriculum enabler for community ice rinks rather than a direct competitor.
• DaySmart Recreation: Recreation management software platform used by Ice in Paradise for online registration and scheduling. Comparable as an enabling technology vendor rather than direct competitor, but representative of the broader recreation facility software ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@iceinparadisesb864/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/IceInParadiseGoleta
• Instagraminstagram.com/iceinparadise/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@iceinparadise_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greater-santa-barbara-ice-skating-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ice in Paradise