Olympian and five-time Finnish National Champion Figure Skater Kiira Korpi kicked off the 2018-19 season at the Patina Restaurant Group-operated Rink at Rockefeller Center on Monday, as she hosted the ceremonial first skate on the world’s most famous ice rink.
Accompanied by rising child skaters from Ice Theatre of New York and Figure Skating in Harlem, Korpi continued the Rink’s tradition as the first New York rink to open each year. During warmer months, Patina operates the space as the Summer Garden & Bar.
The Rink offers packaged skating and culinary experiences in collaboration with Patina-operated restaurants Rock Center Café and The Sea Grill, both of which feature rink-side, floor-to-ceiling views of the skating action. This season, special experiences include The Perfect Start: Breakfast and Skating, Afternoon Tea and Skating, Après Skate, late-night Starlight Skate, and classic traditions such as the popular Breakfast with Santa, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Engagement on Ice, and VIP Skating &
Dinner.
Another VIP experience for guests to enjoy is The Igloo, a reservation-only glass-encased and heated lounge located rink-side. The Igloo allows VIP guests to enjoy skipthe- line privileges, receive enhanced service with in-house skate concierges, and use as a plush resting area to take breaks with offerings such as water, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies.
The Rink will be open to the public daily through Easter. First designed as a temporary attraction, The Rink has evolved into one of the city’s most legendary landmarks and one of the top-visited sites in Manhattan, hosting more than 250,000 skaters annually.