If you’ve ever driven down 166th Street in Artesia, California, you might’ve missed it. Honestly, it looks like a giant warehouse. But inside that unassuming building is the East West Ice Palace, a facility that basically changed the trajectory of American figure skating over the last two decades. It isn’t just a neighborhood rink where kids have birthday parties—though they definitely do that—it’s the house that Michelle Kwan built. Literally.
The Kwan family opened this place in 2005. At the time, Michelle was already a legend, but the rink was designed to be a "home base" that wasn't just about the elite. It was about creating a sustainable environment for the sport in Southern California.
Most people don’t realize how rare it is for a rink to be privately owned by a skating family. Usually, these places are city-owned or run by massive corporations that prioritize public sessions over training. At East West, the vibe is different. You walk in, and it feels like a shrine to the sport, but without being snobby about it.
The Michelle Kwan Connection and the Legacy of the Palace
Let’s be real: you can’t talk about the East West Ice Palace without talking about the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history. While Michelle didn't spend every waking hour coaching there—she had a pretty busy schedule with the State Department and her own education—her father, Danny Kwan, was the heart and soul of the operation for years.
He was often there, sitting by the plexiglass, watching the skaters. That’s the thing about this rink. It has a pedigree.
Elite skaters like Nathan Chen or Alexa Knierim have touched that ice. It’s a "skater’s rink." The ice quality is notoriously good because the management actually understands that a soft patch of ice or a weird rut can ruin a triple Axel.
It’s about 42,000 square feet. Not massive, but efficient. It houses an NHL-sized surface, a fitness center, and the "Kwan Room," which is basically a museum of Michelle’s career. If you’re a skating nerd, seeing those costumes up close is worth the trip alone.
What Actually Happens Inside?
It’s a mix. On one hand, you have the "Learn to Skate" programs. These follow the U.S. Figure Skating curriculum. You see toddlers stumbling around in rental skates, clutching those plastic seals for balance. It’s adorable.
Then, the mood shifts.
The freestyle sessions are where the real work happens. This is where you see the competitive kids—the ones whose parents are spending $40,000 a year on coaching, dresses, and ice time. You’ll hear the thump of a landed jump or the scratch of a blade during a camel spin. It’s rhythmic. It’s intense.
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But it’s not just for figure skaters.
Hockey is huge here too. The East West Ice Palace is home to various youth hockey leagues and adult "beer leagues." If you’ve never watched adult league hockey at 10:30 PM on a Tuesday, you’re missing out on some of the most passionate, albeit slightly uncoordinated, sports on earth.
Training and Off-Ice Facilities
They have an off-ice training area that’s specifically geared toward the needs of skaters. We aren't just talking about treadmills. We’re talking about plyometrics and harness training.
A harness is basically a pulley system attached to the ceiling. A coach holds the rope, and the skater wears a belt. It allows the skater to practice the rotation of a triple or quadruple jump without the fear of slamming into the ice if they under-rotate. It’s a game-changer for injury prevention.
The Reality of Running an Ice Rink in California
Running an ice rink in the Southern California heat is a logistical nightmare. Think about it. You are trying to keep a massive slab of ice frozen when it’s 95 degrees outside in the middle of a Santa Ana wind event.
The utility bills are astronomical.
This is why so many rinks have closed down over the last decade. The East West Ice Palace has survived because it has a dedicated community. It’s located in a pocket of Artesia and Cerritos that has a high concentration of families who value extracurricular excellence.
There's also the "Kwan factor." The name brings in people from all over the world. It’s a destination rink.
Common Misconceptions About the Rink
People often think it’s a public park or a government-funded community center. It isn’t. It’s a private business.
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Another big one? That it’s "only for pros."
I’ve seen people hesitate to go to a public session there because they think they’ll be judged by Olympic-level coaches. Honestly, no one cares. During public sessions, it’s just a normal rink. You’ll see teenagers on dates, families trying not to fall, and the occasional "rink rat" who is there every single day.
The staff is generally pretty chill. They’ve seen it all. From elite meltdowns after a bad practice to kids puking from too much birthday cake.
Why You Should Care About the Location
Artesia is a unique spot. It’s right near "Little India" on Pioneer Boulevard. This means if you’re a skating parent waiting for your kid to finish a two-hour session, you have some of the best food in the state within a five-minute drive.
Grab some chaat or a dosa while you wait. It beats sitting in a freezing bleacher any day.
The rink's proximity to the 91 and 605 freeways makes it accessible, but let’s be honest—Southern California traffic is the worst. If you’re coming from the Westside or South Bay, you have to time it right or you’ll spend more time in your car than on the ice.
The Technical Details (For the Nerds)
The ice is kept at a specific temperature. For hockey, you want it harder and colder—around 17 to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. For figure skating, you want it slightly "softer" so the blade can grip the ice for deep edges, usually around 24 to 26 degrees.
Managing that balance when you have a hockey game followed immediately by a figure skating session is an art form. The Zamboni drivers at East West are some of the best in the business. They have to be.
Practical Tips for Your First Visit
If you’re planning on heading down to the East West Ice Palace, here is the reality of what you need to know.
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First, check the schedule online before you leave. I cannot stress this enough. Rinks are notorious for changing schedules last minute due to tournaments or private events. Don’t just show up expecting to skate.
Second, dress in layers. It sounds obvious, but it’s a different kind of cold inside. It’s a damp, bone-chilling cold that lingers. Even if it’s a heatwave outside, bring a hoodie and gloves.
Third, the rental skates are... rental skates. They’re fine for beginners, but if you’re planning on going more than twice a month, buy your own. Your ankles will thank you.
Getting Involved
- Public Sessions: Usually held on weekends and some weekdays. Check the "Public Skating" tab on their site.
- Learn to Skate: These go in cycles. Usually 8-week series. Great for kids and adults. Yes, they have adult classes. It’s never too late to learn how to stop without hitting the wall.
- The Pro Shop: It’s small but well-stocked. If you need your skates sharpened, this is one of the few places in the area I’d actually trust to do it right. A bad sharpening can literally ruin your balance.
- Birthday Parties: They have rooms you can rent. It’s a classic SoCal move.
Looking Forward
The East West Ice Palace remains a cornerstone of the skating world. As the sport evolves—with more emphasis on high-flying quads and athletic power—the need for high-quality training facilities only grows.
The Kwan family’s vision was to create a place where the next generation could flourish. Whether or not the next Michelle Kwan is currently training there, the facility provides a necessary outlet for athletes and hobbyists alike. It’s a piece of sporting history that you can actually interact with.
Actionable Steps for Newcomers
If you’re thinking about checking it out, don't overthink it.
Start by attending a weekend public session to get a feel for the ice. If you have kids, look into the "Try Skating for Free" events that U.S. Figure Skating sometimes hosts at this location.
For those looking for more serious training, contact the skating director to find a coach that fits your personality. Not every coach is a "drill sergeant," and not every coach is "soft." You need to find the right match.
Finally, take five minutes to look at the photos and memorabilia in the lobby. It’s a reminder that great things can come from small, dedicated spaces in the middle of a busy city.
The rink is located at 11446 Artesia Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701.
Show up, lace up, and try not to fall. But if you do, just remember—even Michelle Kwan fell sometimes. It’s part of the process.