x
Breaking News
More () »

Figure skaters at the Ice Chalet

"Skating isn't just skating to me. It's something way better. It's something you feel in your heart."

Maddie Harrell will play two roles in the upcoming Nutcracker on Ice: an Arabian and a Flower.

It is just another opportunity for the 17-year-old to express herself through figure skating.

"It's really satisfying when you finally land a jump that you've been working on for ages. There's a great community here. My best friend skates here. Everyone's great. I love coming just to see my friends. Even if it's a bad skating day it's fun to hang out with people," she said.

Abbi Barron will also perform two roles as a Coachman and a skater in the Jingle Bell Open.

"I've been skating since I was about six and my siblings and I all skate and we all love it," she said.

Addison Bradley, 8, said, "If skating wasn't in my life I don't know what I would do."

She will miss performing in the Nutcracker this year for the first time in her life. Her mother was pregnant with her when she skated in the show. Addison embraces her mother's passion for the sport.

"I'm basically feeling like I am free. I'm like a free horse out on the range," she said.

They each will be free to enjoy a favorite past time in February: watching Olympic figure skating on TV.

"The lifts, when they do the throw lifts where the girl turns in the air, those are very impressive. And I like actually the simple stuff, like the footwork that the couples do. That's impressive to me because having footwork in sync is extremely hard to do with another person. Even by yourself it's hard and so you know they practiced that a lot to be able to do it as well as they do," Abbi said.

Made said, "It's just really awesome to see some people who are really great at the sport you do. You can recognize what they are doing. It's really fun."

Abbi said, "I know what they are doing so I understand when a skater falls and I'm like, oh, it was their edge or they missed their toe pick or I can look at their foot work and be like wow their fluency is different. You pick up stuff from watching the Olympics that you can put into your own technique when you skate."

Back at the Ice Chalet, skaters take lessons and practice and perform. It takes commitment and something more.

"Skating isn't just skating to me. It's something way better. It's something you feel in your heart," Addison said.

This is the 30th year for Nutcracker on Ice at the Ice Chalet.

Tuesday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.

There is also a matinee Saturday at 2 p.m.

Before You Leave, Check This Out