Winter Lodge
Winter Lodge is a nonprofit outdoor ice skating facility in Palo Alto, California, serving over 70,000 guests annually with public skating, group skating classes, and private group events. Operated by Community Skating, Inc. since 1956, it is the only permanent outdoor rink west of the Sierra Nevada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersPalo Alto, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Winter Lodge does
Winter Lodge is a nonprofit outdoor ice skating facility located at 3009 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, California, operated by Community Skating, Inc. (EIN 77-0089303). Founded in 1956 by engineer Duncan Williams, it is the only permanent outdoor ice skating rink west of the Sierra Nevada. The organization serves over 70,000 guests annually and trains more than 3,000 skating students per season through what is described as one of the largest recreational skating schools in the U.S. It employs 11-50 people and operates seasonally from October through April.
The facility's defining technical asset is a brine-based refrigeration and shading system designed by Williams in 1955-1956 to sustain outdoor ice under California's mild winter climate; this original design remains largely intact and operational today. Beyond public skating sessions, Winter Lodge runs structured group classes spanning youth basic skills, hockey, freestyle, and adult instruction, plus private group event reservations for corporate, school, and private gatherings. An ancillary tennis program operated by the Kim Grant Tennis Academy utilizes the property's refurbished courts to extend facility usage beyond the skating season.
Winter Lodge generates revenue through ticket sales for public skating ($20 per person), skate rentals ($6 per pair), multi-week class registrations ($228-$368 per session), and group event reservations priced at $29 per skater with minimum fees from $390 to $2,900 depending on format. All tickets and class enrollments are sold direct-to-consumer via the winterlodgeonline.com ticketing platform or by phone, with no third-party distribution. As a nonprofit, the organization also solicits tax-deductible donations to support operations, maintenance, and program preservation.
Winter Lodge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Winter Lodge
- Legal name
- Community Skating, Inc.
- Website
- https://winterlodge.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Winter Lodge is a nonprofit outdoor ice skating facility in Palo Alto, California, serving over 70,000 guests annually with public skating, group skating classes, and private group events. Operated by Community Skating, Inc. since 1956, it is the only permanent outdoor rink west of the Sierra Nevada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Winter Lodge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palo Alto
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Winter Lodge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Public Skating Admissions: Direct ticket sales for public skating sessions at $20 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance online only, up to 30 days ahead.
- Skate Rentals: Rental skates available for $6 per pair during public sessions and classes.
- Group Event Reservations: Private group events priced at $29 per skater with minimum fees ranging from $390 to $2,900 depending on group size and venue (outdoor, indoor, or combined).
- Skating Classes: Group skating lessons for youth and adults, ranging from $228 for a 6-week fall session to $368 for an 8-week winter/spring session. Includes youth basic skills, hockey, freestyle, and adult classes.
- Donations and Support: As a nonprofit organization operated by Community Skating, Inc. (EIN 77-0089303), Winter Lodge accepts tax-deductible donations to support operations, maintenance, and preserve access to programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Public Skating Admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Skate Rental |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Youth Basic Skills Classes |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Parent & Tot Classes |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Teen Classes |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Freestyle Skills Classes |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Adult Basic Skills |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Daytime Private Group |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Evening Private Group |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Indoor Private Group |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Public Session Group |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Broomball |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Winter Lodge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Winter Lodge operates a nonprofit outdoor ice skating facility in Palo Alto, California, offering public skating sessions, group skating instruction (Youth Basic Skills, Hockey, Freestyle, Adult, and Parent & Tot classes), and private group event reservations. Supporting offerings include skate rentals and Little Bear skating aids for beginners, with an ancillary tennis program hosted on-site. The facility runs seasonally (October through April) and is the only permanent outdoor ice rink west of the Sierra Nevada.
Product overview
Winter Lodge operates as a recreational facility offering outdoor and indoor ice skating activities. The core offerings include public skating sessions, group skating classes (Youth Basic Skills through Freestyle Skills, Hockey, and Adult classes), and group event reservations (Daytime Private, Evening Private, Indoor Private, and Public Session Group formats). Supporting services include skate rentals in sizes toddler 6 through Mens 15, and Little Bear skating aids for young beginners. An ancillary tennis program operated by Kim Grant Tennis Academy is also offered on-site. The facility operates as a seasonal outdoor rink (October through April) with indoor rink availability and serves over 3,000 skating students per season.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Public Skating Sessions Outdoor and indoor ice skating sessions open to all skill levels, with admission tickets purchased in advance online; sessions run on varying schedules throughout the week with morning, afternoon, and evening options.
- Skating Classes Group skating instruction for ages 5 and up, including Youth Basic Skills (Beginner through D levels), Youth Hockey, Youth Freestyle Skills, Adult Basic Skills, Adult Freestyle Skills, and Parent & Tot classes; weekly classes with professional instructors in a recreational atmosphere.
- Group Event Reservations Private ice reservations for groups including Daytime Private (outdoor ice, 35-75 skaters), Evening Private (outdoor + indoor ice, 100-300 skaters), Indoor Private (indoor ice, 35-75 skaters), Public Session Groups (15-30 skaters), and Broomball events.
- Skate Rentals Rental skates available in sizes from toddler 6 to Ladies 14 and Mens 15, included with class registration or available separately for $6 per pair during public sessions.
- Little Bear Skating Aids Plastic bear-shaped skating aids for young beginners to push while learning to skate, available on indoor ice during Saturday and Sunday afternoon/evening public sessions.
- Kim Grant Tennis Academy Lessons Tennis lessons offered on Winter Lodge's refurbished tennis courts, including group and private lessons for all ages, provided by Kim Grant Tennis Academy.
Quantifiable outcome
- Serves over 70,000 guests per year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Winter Lodge
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Winter Lodge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Winter Lodge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Kim Grant Tennis AcademyminorKim Grant Tennis Academy operates tennis lessons on Winter Lodge's refurbished tennis courts. The partnership has been in place for over 15 years, offering group and private lessons for all ages. This allows Winter Lodge to maximize use of its outdoor facilities year-round.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Winter Lodge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Peninsula Skating Club: Bay Area nonprofit skating organization running lessons, freestyle sessions, and youth hockey. Comparable as a Bay Area nonprofit skating instruction provider overlapping directly with Winter Lodge's class business.
- Wollman Rink: Iconic outdoor ice skating rink in New York City's Central Park. Directly comparable as a permanent outdoor public skating facility offering admission-based public sessions, group events, and lessons — Winter Lodge is its West Coast analog.
- Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center: San Francisco public indoor ice rink offering public skating sessions, lessons, and group events. Comparable as a Bay Area community ice skating facility with a similar public-session-and-classes model.
- The Rink at Rockefeller Center: World-famous outdoor ice rink at Rockefeller Center. Closely comparable as a destination outdoor ice skating facility serving public sessions, group bookings, and tourists in a high-cost urban market.
- Snoopy's Home Ice: Charles Schulz-built outdoor skating rink in Santa Rosa, California. Closely comparable as a Northern California permanent outdoor ice facility with public skating, lessons, and a community / nonprofit heritage.
Regional players
- Paramount Iceland Skate Rink: Long-running Southern California indoor ice rink offering public skating, lessons, and group events. Comparable as a California community ice rink with public-session and class programming.
- Sharks Ice at San Jose: NHL-affiliated Bay Area ice facility operating multiple rinks with public skating, youth hockey, figure skating, and lessons. Comparable as a regional peer offering similar programming within driving distance of Winter Lodge's catchment.
- City Ice (Long Beach): Southern California indoor ice rink providing public skating, lessons, and youth hockey. Comparable as a California community ice rink with overlapping admissions and instructional revenue.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Winter Lodge social profiles
Digital presenceWinter Lodge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Winter Lodge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Winter Lodge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Winter Lodge M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Winter Lodge
What does Winter Lodge do?
Winter Lodge operates a nonprofit outdoor ice skating facility in Palo Alto, California, offering public skating sessions, group skating instruction (Youth Basic Skills, Hockey, Freestyle, Adult, and Parent & Tot classes), and private group event reservations. Supporting offerings include skate rentals and Little Bear skating aids for beginners, with an ancillary tennis program hosted on-site. The facility runs seasonally (October through April) and is the only permanent outdoor ice rink west of the Sierra Nevada.
Is Winter Lodge a public or private company?
Winter Lodge is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Winter Lodge founded?
Winter Lodge was founded in 1956. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Winter Lodge based?
Winter Lodge is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, in the North America region.
How does Winter Lodge make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Public Skating Admissions are the primary driver. The others are skate Rentals, group Event Reservations, skating Classes and donations and Support.
Who are Winter Lodge's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Peninsula Skating Club, Wollman Rink, Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center, The Rink at Rockefeller Center and Snoopy's Home Ice. Regional players are Paramount Iceland Skate Rink, Sharks Ice at San Jose and City Ice (Long Beach).
Does Winter Lodge have an API?
No public API is recorded for Winter Lodge.