Half Dome Boogie

The outdoor ice rink beneath Yosemite's iconic Half Dome might be the best place this side of Canada to lace up the skates and put one blade in front of the other. Rent your skates at Curry Village, breathe in some fresh air, and hit the counterclockwise flow. Sure, your arms may fly akimbo once in a while, and your form may not be as sleek as Brian Boitano's, but lively tunes from an outdoor speaker will help keep you in the groove—and may even inspire a triple lutz or two. Take a breather at the outdoor firepit and marvel at the winter wilderness all around. Ice skating to views of Half Dome? Icesome!

BONUS: The five-star Ahwahnee Hotel becomes extra cozy in the winter. Head there for an après-skate; grab your favorite hot beverage from the bar, and make your way to a fireside couch in the Great Lounge.

The Curry Village Ice Rink has 2.5-hour skate sessions: on the weekends it's 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Weekdays is only 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) It costs $11 per adult to rent skates and go out on the rink. The rink typically operates through late February.