Monona's Skating Season Starts on the Yahara, Weeks Before the Lake Freezes

The City of Monona plans to open the Lake Ridge Bank River Rink on Saturday, November 21, nine days from today, according to the city's October 16 newsletter. Lake Monona usually doesn't freeze until December 15. That's the median freeze date kept by UW-Madison's Wisconsin State Climatology Office. So in a typical year, the city's skating season is more than three weeks old before the lake it's named for has much ice on it.

That gap now shapes winter in Monona. The season starts on the Yahara River at Grand Crossing Park, on ice made by a machine. Even then, the weather still decides the exact date.

Three Seasons of Opening Days

The rink's start date has moved around a bit over the last three winters, and the lake has been less predictable still. Here are both, side by side.

In 2024–25, Fox47 reported that the rink would be open every day, holidays included, from November 16 through March 2. That put rink skating 27 days ahead of the lake's first freeze. It was 50 days ahead of the freeze that actually lasted.

Last winter the gap was shorter. The rink opened November 26, and the lake froze December 12, 16 days later. If this year's November 21 opening holds and the lake freezes near its median, the gap will be 24 days.

What the Lake Did Over Those Same Weeks

The 2024–25 freeze dates show why the rink matters. The climatology office's records show Lake Monona froze on December 13 and opened again on December 17. It froze on December 22 and opened again on December 28. It froze for the third time on January 5 and stayed covered until March 15. In those first weeks of winter, the lake froze and thawed three times.

Last winter was steadier. Monona froze December 12, opened March 11, and had 89 days of ice cover. Lake Mendota, across the isthmus, didn't freeze until January 1 and had 71 days.

The office's definition of a freeze date matters here. It's the first date the majority of the lake surface is estimated to be frozen, and the office says no reliable information on ice thickness is available. A freeze date on the calendar says nothing about whether the ice will hold anyone.

The city has been talking about this. On October 27, the Monona Public Library's Eco-Action Tuesdays series brought a UW-Madison Badger Talk called "Warming Winters in Wisconsin" to Aldo Leopold Nature Center at 330 Femrite Drive. The speaker was Amanda Latham, a climate outreach specialist with the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, and she talked about how Wisconsin winters are changing.

Why a Refrigerated Rink Still Waits on the Weather

The River Rink is a 5,000-square-foot refrigerated outdoor rink that holds up to 80 skaters, according to Travel Wisconsin. Because the ice is made mechanically, the rink can open in November without waiting for a cold snap on Lake Monona.

The rink is still outdoors, though, under open sky, and that affected last season's start. The city had to move opening day, and its notice explained why:

"To guarantee safe, solid ice, we're postponing Opening Day to Wednesday, Nov. 26!"

That line comes from the city's postponement announcement, which listed the 2025–26 season as running through Sunday, March 1, 2026.

So November 21 is the city's target date this year. Last winter showed that the date can move. The refrigeration system has to build a solid sheet before anyone skates, and an outdoor sheet in late November depends partly on the weather. The current schedule and any updates are posted on the Lake Ridge Bank River Rink page on the city's website.

What's Down by the Water at Grand Crossing

The rink is in Grand Crossing Park, 6320 Inland Way, along the Yahara River near West Broadway and Bridge Road.

The rink offers skate rentals. Next to the ice is the Below Deck Concession Stand, which Travel Wisconsin describes as selling hot chocolate, hot cider, and s'mores kits to enjoy by the bonfire. Last season the city also promoted fresh pizza and Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream at the rink. Below Deck is open in warmer months too. This fall the library held a Scoops & Stories storytime at Grand Crossing Park with $2 ice cream scoops at the stand.

In past seasons, the city's programs at the rink included:

• Public open skate sessions
• Lessons and workshops, from first-time skaters to hockey parents learning the basics
• Birthday and party packages
• Private rentals for groups, teams, or events

The rink's best-known event so far is Light the Ice. In 2024 it took place on Saturday, November 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., with holiday decor, lights, Christmas music, and on-ice entertainment, as Fox47 described it. The city has also promoted holiday programming at the rink that included themed skates, a Grinch skate, and Santa photos. In January 2025, Lake Ridge Bank hosted an Evening on the Ice with free admission and skate rental. The 2026–27 event dates, hours, and admission prices are posted on the city's rink page.

Monona's Calendar From Mid-November to Mid-December

Here is the month ahead in Monona, ending on the lake's median freeze date.

1. Monday, November 16, 10 a.m. The Monona Public Library holds Nutcracker Storytime with Madison Ballet at Maywood School, 902 Nichols Road. It's aimed at ages 3 and up, and younger siblings are welcome.
2. Tuesday, November 17, 5 to 8 p.m. Culver's at 4401 Cottage Grove Road gives part of all sales to the Friends of Monona Public Library. No code or coupon is needed.
3. Saturday, November 21. The Lake Ridge Bank River Rink is scheduled to open at Grand Crossing Park.
4. Wednesday, December 9, 5 to 9 p.m. WVMO 98.7 FM holds its second annual Jingle Jangle at Lola's, with WVMO DJs playing an all-vinyl set of holiday music and station merchandise for sale in the Side Car Lounge.
5. Around December 15. Lake Monona's median freeze date, according to the Wisconsin State Climatology Office.

By that last date in a typical year, the rink will have been open for more than three weeks. Lake Monona froze close to that date last winter, on December 12. In 2024–25 it froze on December 13 and took until January 5 to stay frozen.

At Lessing Real Estate, we follow what sets the calendar in each community we serve, from a rink's opening day on the Yahara to the dates when Monona's market picks up and slows down. If you're thinking about a move and want to know where your home stands before the busy spring season, we'll walk you through it. Get Your Free Home Valuation.