It might be a bit early to think about snow, but this is New England after all! If you don’t want to wait until January to get your skates on, there are some great indoor options in our region. Read on…

Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum

This indoor rink is the on-campus home for the UConn Men’s and Women’s ice hockey teams. The rink is open for public skating sessions with $7 admission and skate rentals for $5. Be sure to bring cash or check, as credit and debit cards are not accepted here. Free parking is available in the lot outside the rink, which is located at 509 Jim Calhoun Way on the UConn Storrs campus. Their public skating schedule is available at uconnhuskies.com/facilities, but skaters should double-check for changes by calling 860-486-3808.

Champions Skating Center

Skate like a champion! This indoor sports complex boasts two ice rinks, sports shops, and a fitness center with a pool. It is the official practice facility for the Hartford Wolf Pack, but also allows public skating. Public skate sessions are one hour in length, and cost $7 per skater plus $3 to rent skates if needed. Ice hockey and general ice skating lessons are available as well. Champions Skating Center is located at 6 Progress Drive in Cromwell. championsskatingcenter.com

Edward L. Bennett Rink

Run by the West Haven Board of Education, this indoor rink is home to the West Haven High School Blue Devils girls and boys hockey team. Public skate sessions are every Sunday from 1:30 – 3 p.m., with some additional sessions listed in their calendar online. Admission is $5, and skates can be rented for an additional $5. Visit bennettrink.com or call 203-931-6890 for more information.

Newington Ice Arena

This arena has it all: two ice rinks, a proshop, a café, fitness center, mirrored dance room, and amenities for events up to 100 people! Admission for open skate is $6 on weekdays, and $7 on the weekends. Rentals skates are available for $3 on a first come, first served basis. Other skating activities include music-and-lights-filled Ice Jams, open hockey practice, Stick Time pick-up games, and freestyle skating sessions. The Newington Ice Arena is located at 300 Alumni Road. Skating lessons for beginners are available year-round. newingtonarena.com

Milford Ice Pavilion

Public skate sessions are held 7 days a week, excluding holidays. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children under 5. Skate rental is free, although college students receive reduced admission and free rentals with school ID. Besides public skate, the rink hosts hockey, figure skating, skating lessons, and birthday parties. There is also a snack bar that serves everything from breakfast to pizza. Find this rink at 291 Bic Drive in Milford. milfordice.com

Rose Garden Ice Arena

Because catering to every level of skater, from beginners to pros, isn’t enough, this arena also offers a pro shop, concession, wellness programs, nutrition consulting, competitive skating, synchronized skating, youth hockey and Theater On Ice. Friday Night Laser Skate is a fun way to get some exercise, wind down and kick off the weekend. Birthday parties and group rates are available. Visit rosegardenicearena.com for the updated public skate schedule. Public skate is $7 for those 13-64; and $4 for children, seniors and those with military ID. Skate rentals are $5 and skate aids (a fun seal or a walker bar) are $5. The rink is located at 641 New London Turnpike, Norwich.

Washington Trust Community Skating Center

Experience a little winter magic in Rhode Island at this wonderful outdoor skating rink. The skate fee at Washington Trust is $8 for adults or $5 for children and seniors, with discounts available for YMCA members. Skate rentals are $4, and food and hot beverages are available at the concession stands. Restrooms are located in the north side of rental building and are surrounded rubber mats, making them accessible without having to remove your skates. The rink is located at 61 Main Street in Westerly (near the Westerly/Pawcatuck line), with parking available in the lot on Commerce Street. Public skate is 7 days a week but times vary, so check their schedule online at oceancommunityymca.org.

Wilcox Park

Wilcox Park is a beautiful place to spend the day in every season. In the winter, the park transforms into a beloved sledding spot frequented by locals. The park is open year round, and you can warm up with a good book at the adjacent Westerly Library. Wilcox Park is located on Broad Street, and street parking in downtown Westerly is free. westerlylibrary.org

Lyman Allyn Art Museum

Sledding is allowed and encouraged on the grounds of Lyman Allyn. The best hill is located next to the front parking lot, outside of the museum’s front doors. The museum will allow the use of the first floor restrooms without charging admission – but a tour of the galleries might be a great way to warm up after playing in the snow! You can find the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London on 625 Williams Street. lymanallyn.org

Horsebarn Hill

A very popular sledding destination in Storrs, this huge hill is not for the faint of heart! The more adventurous sledders will often make ramps from packed snow, and parents with young children should be aware that people come down the hill very fast. Horsebarn Hill can be found by the animal barns on UConn’s main campus. Public restrooms are available at the UConn Dairy Bar, Kellogg Dairy Center, or at Horsebarn Hill Arena. There is free visitor parking in front of UConn Horse Barn Unit I, or you can pay to park in the lot next to the arena. animalscience.uconn.edu

Washington Park

This beautiful Groton park has over 32 acres and a steep hill that is perfect for sledding. Parking is free, and there are public restrooms located at bottom of hill near the baseball field. Washington Park is on Meridian Street next to the Groton Municipal Building. cityofgroton.recdesk.com

Norwich Golf Course

Norwich’s public golf course allows families to sled on their grounds, except for at Hole 2 which has been deemed too dangerous. Restrooms will be available when the clubhouse is open, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The golf course is located at 685 New London Turnpike in Norwich. norwichgolf.com

Pierson Park

You can find Pierson Park next to the Cromwell Police Department on West Street. The best hill for sledding is the one closest to Timber Hill Road. Parking is free, but visitors should be aware that the restroom facilities will be closed for the season. cromwellct.com/recreation

Veterans Memorial Park

If you live in or near Jewett City, try sledding at Veterans Memorial Park! The park does not have restroom facilities, but parking is available at the Youth Center on 68 Ashland Street. griswoldyfs.com

Powder Ridge Park

Snow tubing lets you experience all the fun of sledding without having to lug your toboggan up the hill over and over again. Passes will run you $28 for a two hour session, or $36 for four hours. Both options include a tube and helmet. Tubing is available 7 days a week, but it is highly recommended to make a reservation ahead of time by phone. Tubing parties for up to 10 guests are also available! There is no specific age or height requirement for participating in tubing, but children must be capable of riding alone at speeds up to 25-30 miles per hour. Other winter activities at the park include skiing, snowboarding, and snowbiking. Powder Ridge Park is at 99 Powder Hill Road in Middletown. powderridgepark.com

Yawgoo Valley

Open every weekend during the winter, Yawgoo Valley’s tubing park has seven perfect lanes, and tow ropes so you can sit back and enjoy the ride! Tickets are $15 for a 50-minute session, and are only available for tubers 42 inches and taller. Purchase tickets at the ticket window, or buy them online to avoid the lines. Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled session, as refunds are not offered if you miss your timeslot. And sure to check the weather when buying your tickets! Tubing speed can be reduced in warm weather, so go on a cold day for maximum fun. Yawgoo Valley also offers skiing, snowboarding, and group classes or private lessons for both. The Snow Tubing Park is located at 220 Yawgoo Valley Road, Exeter, RI. yawgoo.com