With the festive season up and coming it’s that time of year to quite literally get your skates on and enjoy the range of Ice Rinks Manchester has to offer. We were lucky enough to attend the opening of Selfridges Ice Rink at the Trafford Centre; a night filled with iced treats of the skating and donut varieties, courtesy of Selfridges and Krispy Kreme.
The evening started with a one to one skating with professional skater’s of Dancing on Ice Fame; Matt Evers and Maria Filippov. Matt was lovely and patient, and by the end of the teach I’d mastered the ‘lemon skate’, something which Matt informed me was the only move the late Stephen Gately mastered on his entire stint on Dancing on Ice. The best advice Matt gave me was to be fearless, if you worry about falling it’s guaranteed to happen, keep your body moving as much as you can and watch your positioning, if I can manage to do it anybody can!
After one to ones there were lots of Christmas canapés and drinks to be had and Ugg, who sponsor the rink, gifted a few lucky guests with adorable sheepskin earmuff turned headphones. The rink itself is decorated beautifully with a giant ice sculpture, Christmas lights, glitter balls, fur throws and wooden seating, glitter skis and speakers to blast upbeat songs while you skate, there’s even a photo booth so you can capture your evening!
Once all the guests were inside, Matt and Maria performed an exclusive routine for us to the beautiful Christmas love song, Baby It’s Cold Outside. And we’re pretty sure that Maria will have been freezing on the ice in gorgeous sequin leotard! We also had a quick chat with Maria regarding the final series of Dancing on Ice and although she couldn’t give anything away, she promised us that this year was going to be a big one, so make sure you watch it when it returns in the New Year.
Selfridges Ice Rink also has the added bonus of its own Krispy Kreme, ideal for grabbing a hot coffee to warm up after being on the ice. In preparation for Christmas, everyone’s favourite donut store told us they’d be unveiling two new festive flavours in time for the holidays; Mince Pie and Chocolate Truffle, mmm.
So if you’re still lacking that Christmas spirit and want to start feeling festive get your skates on, channel your inner Torvill and Dean and head down to Selfridges Trafford while you can! The rink is open everyday (times vary) until January 5, and tickets start at £7 for adults and £5 for kids.
For more information and ticket prices see www.style.selfridges.com/store/manchester-trafford
By Leanne Coppock & Emily Parker
Images; Selfridges Image by Ben Blackall and all others by Dave Nelson.
