EAST WEST ICE PALACE

Technical Score: Level 4 +2 GOE for fabulous, well-maintained ice and facilities
Presentation Score: Level 4 +3 GOE for awesome staff, an excellent gym, and general feng shui

I can't say enough good things about East West Ice Palace in Artesia. This is "home" for me, so maybe I'm biased, but I absolutely love this rink. It's definitely the best training facility in the Orange County/south LA area.

Artesia is a relatively new rink, having opened in 2005, and is truly world-class. The NHL-sized ice surface is well-maintained and level (except for this one corner that slopes ever so slightly), and except for after the rare rough ice cut, the ice is a dream to skate on. The facility is immaculately clean.

Because the rink was designed as a total training center for figure skating and hockey, there is a gym and a dance studio upstairs.

The gym overlooks the ice surface and is the finest I've ever used. Just about every type of machine or apparatus you can think of is up there, and everything is meticulously maintained and clean. The gym locker rooms are the nicest I've seen at any rink or gym. Best of all, the gym is never crowded. Artesia offers gym memberships for $35.00 a month, and members receive five session passes each month. Considering that most local public sessions are $9.00 or $10.00, this is a great deal!

Public sessions vary in attendance. Midweek afternoon sessions can be relatively full or uncrowded, but the people on the ice at these sessions are generally skaters working with coaches or practicing their programs with just a smattering of people out for a fun excursion. Weekends are typically more crowded, drawing figure skaters, families, groups of friends, and birthday parties. Sessions during school breaks tend to be a bit more crowded than usual. During hockey's off-season, there are public sessions on two weeknights, which are popular with adult skaters.

The Friday night public sessions are awesome if you are a teenager and frightening if you are a figure skater. It's like a school dance on ice, complete with a DJ, pumping music, and club lighting. These sessions are always packed, which makes it impossible to train and creates very choppy ice. The kids always seem to be having a blast though!

Artesia has a pro shop that caters primarily to hockey players (figure skating accessories are quite limited). The guys in the shop are very knowledgeable and friendly, and they are expert skate sharpeners.

There is also a snack bar with sporadic hours. The snack stand is relatively small, but it has a decent selection. I've heard the individual pizzas are excellent.

The only "meh" thing about Artesia is its small parking lot. I usually don't have trouble finding a spot when I go to work with my coach or practice, but if there is a hockey tournament, a competition, a special event, or an especially crowded public session, chances are the lot will be full and you'll have to hunt for street parking.

Other than that, I couldn't ask for a better place to skate. ARTESIA REPRESENT!!

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