Icy and Incredible

By Gail Friedman

Whether spiraling into a triple axel or hanging desperately onto a friend, most skaters agree that the best way to welcome winter is on the ice. These outdoor rinks around the state are great places to take an icy spin.

Dunn Pond State Park , Gardner This 119-acre park is named for its 20-acre pond, which hosts ice skaters when the weather cooperates. Ambitious athletes can take a spin on the ice and then change from skates to cross-country skis and hit one of the park's snowy trails.

EcoTarium, Worcester This hands-on nature center is known as much for its grounds as for its indoor exhibits. And when the pond freezes, the scenic surroundings become a backdrop for ruddy-faced families gliding around the ice. 508.929.2700; ecotarium.org

Frog Pond, Boston Massachusetts ' best-known outdoor rink is the Boston Common's Frog Pond, which also doubles as a great people-watching spot on a busy day. Rentals available. 617.635.2120

Kelly Outdoor Skating Rink , Jamaica Plain The Kelly Outdoor Skating Rink brings the graceful winter sport to one of Boston 's most colorful neighborhoods. 617.727.7000

Larz Anderson Skating Rink, Brookline A former estate on the Brookline–Jamaica Plain border, this 64-acre park opens its ice rink between December and February. For those who'd rather drive than slide, the park is anchored by the Larz Anderson Auto Museum , a small but intriguing shrine to antique cars. 617.739.7518

Porter Lake , Forest Park , Springfield Everett H. Barney donated much of this park's 785-acre expanse after making a fortune in clamp-on ice skates, so it's no wonder there's outdoor skating. The old-growth forest is also a haven for deer and other wildlife. They have a limited supply of skates for rental, so be sure to bring your own, just in case. 413.787.6434