Ice Chalet Knoxville Tennessee

about THE ICE CHALET

FOUNDED IN 1962

LobbyThe Ice Chalet was built in 1962 to provide recreational ice skating for Knoxville and surrounding communities. In addition to public sessions, we offer a comprehensive skating school program for all ages and abilities, as well as skate and accessory sales and service.

The Ice Chalet is located at 100 Lebanon Street, beside The Shops at Western Plaza on Kingston Pike in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee. For directions, see our "Contact Us" page.

RINK SURFACE (Building Layout in PDF format)

The Ice Chalet's rink surface is 75' by 175'. Dressing rooms are available, and all floors are covered with rubber matting. The average temperature in the rink area is about 50 degrees Farenheit.

CAFE CHALETCafe Chalet

Food and drinks are available from the Chalet Cafe, located inside our lobby, on busy evenings and weekends. Several restaurants are also within walking distance.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

Gloves are required for preschoolers. They will not enjoy themselves if they are cold. Other skaters will find that gloves and a sweater or jacket are comfortable in the rink area. Clothes should keep you warm, but also allow free movement. Skaters should wear only one pair of thin socks -- this allows for a better skate fit.

1962

The Ice Chalet was built in 1962 by a corporation known as "Chalet Ice Rinks, Inc." The primary investors were Chambliss Pierce, Harkness Construction Co., Pilot Oil Corp., and Brownlee Kesterson Construction Co.. It was one of the first two skating rinks in the South with regularly scheduled hours for public skating.

1963

In 1963, a professional ice skater and star of "Holiday On Ice" named Robert Unger moved to Knoxville and established the Robert Unger School of Ice Skating here as well as in Huntsville, Alabama.

1969

In 1969, the Ice Chalet hosted one of the first skating competitions endorsed by the Ice Skating Institute of America (ISIA, now ISI), known as the Mississippi Valley District Invitational Team Competition (MVDC). The MVDC has been held annually ever since, regularly attracting teams from all over the eastern United States, and it is the oldest continually running competition of this kind in the world.. In 1977, the MVDC became the first international ISIA (now ISI) figure skating competition.

1987

In 1987, students in the Robert Unger School first performed Nutcracker On Ice, and it has played to enthusiastic audiences each Christmas ever since. Many skaters have grown from one role to another, year after year, as they progressed in the skating school.