- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
GE Plaza at Robson Square
Category: Active Life Skating Rinks Skating Rinks [Edit]
800 Robson StVancouver, BC V6Z 3B7
Neighbourhood: Downtown
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
11 reviews for GE Plaza at Robson Square
11 reviews in English
-
Review from Rohan S.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
So my friends suggesting coming here for a friends birthday.
I was a lot apprehensive since I haven't been ice skating for over a decade, and last time I tired, I spent a lot of time sliding on my ass.
Things didn't start off that well. With cheap skate rentals ($4), skate move quickly. They didn't have my size, so I settled with a couple sizes too big.
All in all it' was a great time, very family friendly. There are people of all skill levels that come skating here, so just be prepared to deal with that. -
Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
2/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place conjures up big "awwww"s from me cuz I'm the simple romantic. It's located in an active area of downtown that has finally finished all the renovations - so central to everything (transit included). It's never too cold in Vancouver to enjoy some outdoor skating, and the cool LED lights that change colours above you distract from the fact that this rink is pretty tiny. And when you're done with the skating, you can head upstairs to look at the beautiful tree lights in the evening (it's like your own little garden in downtown, I find few people actually wander this area).
During the weekends there are usually things happening beside the rink as well, since the steps also double as seats for concerts or shows. Skate rentals are cheap at $3 a pair, and the little food stand will provide good nurishment and hot cocoa while you're off the ice.
Beware of kids or rowdy teens that think they're awesome and race each other, and also keep an eye out for the new people who can't skate - those helper stands take up a lot of space!
Enjoy your date! -
Review from Amanda L.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love the Robson Square ice rink! It would be 5 stars but last year a few times I went they were out of several sizes of skates leaving a large, cold, unhappy lineup of grumps.
All that aside it's a fun way to kill some time with friends if your stuck downtown in the winter, beats wandering the malls. If your not into the typical winter snowboarding or skiing it's a nice wintery alternative. Skates are only $4, another $2 for a helmet if your clutzy and a pretty cheap concession with cheap drinks and snacks.
They also have a funky little zamboni that looks like an Orca! Too cute. -
Review from Louisa P.
Burnaby, BC
3/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love that there is no fee to skate here! If you got blades, bring em! If you don't, its only 3 bucks for a rental! Super kid friendly with rental helmets available and those blue thing-ys that are made if plastic, not metal (like in the ol' days where your hands would meld to it. Lol). Pretty quiet on weekdays, which is nice. :)
-
Review from Stephanie M.
Vancouver, BC
1/18/2011
OK, full confession. As an "On-terrible" native who lived for two years literally right across the street from the world's largest ice skating rink (the Rideau Canal), I am a bit of an ice rink snob. But with all the perks that Vancouver offers, I'm willing to compromise on ice skating surface area, and you can't help but be charmed by the small but festive rink at Robson Square. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there was no admission fee and that rentals were only $3, which I thought was reasonable considering that I was fully expecting to encounter a bit of a tourist trap.
Yes, the rink is small and crowded, but the atmosphere is fun and it just feels neat skating underneath the dome. Plus of course the location is perfect for tourists and too-cool-to-expose-my-inner-child hipsters who live downtown - you know you want to try it! I'm impressed that they put the effort into making this considering it probably requires a fairly complicated and expensive cooling system underneath the ice to maintain the surface. I bet it's even more fun during the holiday season or at night when you have the lights. -
Review from Jason P.
12/28/2010
This ice rink is a fun and festive venue in the heart of all the downtown Vancouver action. This small ice rink is located right on Robson street under the colorful lit glass domes. Whats more fun during the holidays than ice skating and then eating out on Robson? $3 to rent a pair of skates and no admission make it all the better!
We came here in the early afternoon on a weekday and it was perfect timing, with only a few other people on the ice. Within an hour or two it got very busy, but we left. Can't complain for cheap fun. -
Review from Vincci L.
12/10/2009 2 photos
It's about time they did something to that gloomy Robson Square. In anticipation of the Olympics, GE and the provincial government partnered up to refresh the skating rink and make it all snazzy again.
GE has also used their technology into revitilizing this space. Energy efficient LED lighting products, and refrigeration technology has been incorported in the plaza. Also, there's a concession.
Skate rentals are available at $3.00. They open from 9am-9pm each day. The rink itself is not too big, so I could see it being cramped on the weekends.
It's an awesome upgrade- much more light comes in, and a great outdoor activity to do in the winter!!
They also have live concerts to play there, so keep your eye out for them! Christmas lights, hot chocolate, skating....it can't get any more festive than this!! -
Review from Roanna Z.
2/19/2010 2 photos
This free outdoor venue had a lot to offer for us. We watched a young juggling troupe, ("Cirque-wanna-be's) delighted the crowd. The stage is set up at one side of the ice rink and offering a variety entertainment day and night.
We walked past the ice rink. The lights were so festive! This brought back memories of Winterlude in Ottawa for me.
Just past the rink a large monitor to watch the Olympic action lets you feel like your not missing a beat while walking around. Above us, people on the zip line squealed as they whizzed passed. A bit farther along we came to the back of the Art Gallery with a humongous floral backdrop covering the wall. Very resourceful way of re-directing people I think.
This whole block turned out to be one of my favourite stops!Listed in: Vancouver street Festivals.
-
Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
2/19/2010
What it has: Ice skating rink, zip-lining (free but monstrous lineup), live entertainment, lineups for other free exhibits nearby (Vancouver Art Gallery/BC Pavilion) and the CTV broadcast tent.
Big open space in the hub of major retail centre of downtown - the electricity here is fun and definitely contagious. A true open area public square/celebration site unlike the drab security zones labelled as 'LiveCity'. -
Review from Thu N.
1/25/2010
A must-see place for all visitors and locals alike in Vancouver. We got here after dark where the ice rink was glowing, there was live music and just a really happy good vibe. So many photos opportunities and so many chances to meet new happy tourists! I really like what they've done to the place in anticipation for the olympics, I'm sure I'll be dropping bey here often in the weeks to come!
Listed in: Whirl Wind Weekend Tour of…
-
Review from Jasmine L.
Vancouver, BC
1/7/2010
The ice gets crappy quickly because of all the skaters, if you arrive any time between 4-8 it will be so full you will hardly be able to skate, there are no places to stash your bags, and despite all that, I LOVE this place. I'm an awful rink rat, and I am *delighted* there is now a rink that is open every single day at all hours. And it's free! The starving artist in me rejoices! So much so that I am there pretty much every other day!
I'd tell you to check it out, only I don't want it to be any more crowded than it already is. Don't worry if you can't skate. Most people are of the "omg I can't remember the last time I skated!" variety.
Amendment to the previous review, it's now open from noon-9pm.
