Unlike grass skaters or sand-dune rollerbladers, ice skaters don't achieve maximum speed by being pulled by ATVs or jet-fueled centaurs. Breeze along a surface sans equine assistance with today's Groupon to Chilled Ponds Ice & Turf Sports Complex, located in Chesapeake. Choose one of the following options:

• For $5, you get a public skating session and ice-skate rental for any age (up to a $10 value).
• For $59, you get the Learn to Skate program (a $119 value), which includes eight 30-minute skating lessons, skate rental, and four public skating sessions.

Chilled Ponds Ice & Turf Sports Complex features an NHL-style skating rink where both expert skaters and ice-taming pupils can practice their gliding skills. Casual ice-cutters get admission to a public skate (regularly valued at $10 for adults and $8 for children 7 and younger) and skate rental, a chilled way to avoid the sun's scorching summer dominion without resorting to amphibian tactics of public bathing. Ice-commanders should check the schedule before arriving to ensure they're attending a public skate time. As this $5 option has no purchase limit, round up a Bolivian hockey team's worth of skaters, spend a few hours bladin' with friends, and watch Dennis Quaid begin his new figure-skating career by taking a slap-shot and scoring with today's Groupon.

Alternately, the Learn to Skate option gives prospective ice-sprinters eight half-hour classes, during which they'll train with a Chilled Ponds professional and in accordance with the Ice Skating Institute's curriculum (call ahead to schedule lessons according to age group and skill level). This deal also includes four public skating lessons, skate rental, a newsletter, evaluations, and if offered, participation in seasonal ice shows. This package is ideal for someone serious about getting in shape for ice-based competitions or a cameo in the upcoming film release Mighty Ducks 6: The Quack is Back and Fending Off the Apocalypse for One Last Time.

Call ahead to register for the Learn to Skate option. Learn to Skate participants under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver.

Reviews

Three Insider Pagers give Chilled Ponds Ice & Turf Sports Complex an average rating of four stars:

• This is a nice facility – Kristen G.
• This place is a blast! It is not too crowded and you have all levels of skaters. The music is fun and it is a good quality rink. – Wendy M.
• This place is a hit with the kids and very affordable. – Kelli H.