GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Ice Plex was open on Thanksgiving for a "free skate" day, welcoming experienced skaters and first-timers.
Every thanksgiving the great falls ice plex welcomes families by waving their admission fees from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
That way- while the turkey heats up, families can cool down.
This year, the Hansen family tested out a new tradition, treating themselves to free laps around the rink.
Mother Abigail Hansen said she wanted to try out a new holiday tradition this year, as it’s their family’s first Thanksgiving without her mother.
“Usually we travel to Billings and do a little football with family. But this year my mom passed away so we were able to come together and just be a family here,”
Although this an annual tradition for the ice plex, these Great Falls family had no idea it existed.
“We didn’t even know about it. We read about it in the newspaper,” Hansen said.
Although this was the Hansen family’s first Thanksgiving-On-Ice, for some families it’s an annual affair.
The Matsko’s have done the seasonal skate each year for about 6 years now.
“It’s our family tradition,” Ryan Matsko said.
Ryan and his sister Natalie skate with their father before their Thanksgiving dinner.
“We get to go with our whole family and like skate,” Natalie Matsko said.
So if you’re not tied to a tradition, a seasonal skate might be one to keep in mind.
The next free admission holiday skate will be this Christmas from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
While the cost of admission on holidays is free, rental skates are still $5 per pair.
The Ice Plex is located at 4001 29th Street SW; click here to visit the website .
