One of the first things people notice about a hockey arena is how cold it is. After all, you’re not used to being in the presence of ice and snow. Unless, of course, you live in northern climes where winter sports are a way of life.
The temperature in a hockey arena can vary, but it’s always fairly low. That, in turn, can affect how you perform, whether you’re an audience member or a participant. On this front, the lines between player and spectator are blurred. If you’re a fan of the sport, you’re in the arena to watch the action and take it in. If you’re a participant, you want to do your best to perform well and keep warm so you can enjoy the game.
Whether you consider yourself to be a hardcore hockey fan or a casual observer, there’s always something for you to learn at a hockey arena. The cold weather certainly makes for dramatic moments, but it can also serve as a reminder that your body is a temple and you need to take care of it. Let’s explore some of the key things you need to know about the climate in a hockey arena.
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The Two Senses Affinity For Cold Weather
If you’re a fan of the sport, you’ll quickly notice that hockey players seem to love playing in the cold. Why? It’s a combination of factors, but mostly because the sport is all about hitting and taking hits. The gloves, for example, are used to protect the hands from getting frostbite, and taking punishment when playing in the snow is part of the attraction. As for the spectators, they usually wear thicker clothing due to the chill, which tends to block out the wind and keep you feeling warm.
While you might get a slight chill in the air outside a hockey arena, it’s nothing like the frostbite you might experience being in a much colder place. And that’s what matters – protecting your body from the elements. After all, when the temperature is below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, your body will start to slow down significantly, making it harder for you to stay alert and involved in the game.
How Does The Ice Age In Play?
The cold climate in a hockey arena can also have a major impact on the actual gameplay. If the game is in progress when the temperature dips below freezing, you’ll see a lot of stoppages as players come inside from outside activities and get their skates and sticks ready. Before you know it, the puck will be dropped and the action will go on as normal. However, you’ll notice that everything moves a little slower, which adds an additional element of danger to the sport.
Even when the game has ended and the participants have left the ice, the frozen surface remains. Depending on the time of year and how long the ice has been out, you might see a lot of water damage around the rink. As for the equipment, the steel teeth on the puck, for example, can become locked together from continuous sliding on the ice. This makes it harder to pull it away, like a jigsaw puzzle, and harder for everyone to find a place on the rink once it’s thawed out. Not good. Especially when you’re scrambling for your skates after a fun game of shinny or hockey brawl .
So, while you’re in the arena, you might notice the temperature is cold and you want to stay as warm as possible. Which is why you’re wearing all of those cozy sweaters and fingerless gloves. However, there’s more you need to protect yourself from outside the rink. Like the wind. If you wear one of those silly ski suits with the hood, you’ll feel like a real pro.
You’ll Never Forget The Scenery-Stealer.
Speaking of the wind, it can be brutal. During hockey seasons, you’ll experience the wind chill, which is the temperature of the air measured in conjunction with the wind direction. The higher the wind chill, the more you’ll feel like you’re experiencing actual cold weather. And it’s not an exaggeration. Studies have shown that the wind chill can really make a difference in your body temperature. If you’re not used to the cold, it can take a while for your body to get acclimated to the extreme temperatures.
Familiarity With Sudden Ice Accidents
What if I told you there was a way to keep your arena experience as close to being as outdoors as possible? With some proper gear, you’ll be able to do just that. One of the major differences between playing in the snow and playing on an ice rink is the speed at which the snow is cleared. While you might shovel a few inches of snow each day before the game, during the game, it will be cleared at a much faster pace. Sometimes, the wind will blow directly from the street to the rink, causing snowdrifts to pile up fast. In such cases, it is vital that the snow is cleared properly, otherwise, you might find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to leave the arena due to poor visibility — seriously. Another important factor to keep in mind is that, even when the snow is cleared, the ground around the rink will remain quite icy during the whole winter season. Always a potential slip and fall scenario.
More Important Details About The Humidity Level
While you might get drowsy in the dead of winter, the air in a hockey arena will never feel stale. That’s because there’s always some sort of moisture in the air. It might not seem like a lot, but a little bit of moisture can add up quickly, making you feel a little less refreshed after each breath.
Depending on the time of day and where you are in relation to the sea, the humidity can vary a lot. During the day, in the presence of water, the air usually feels thick and damp. At night, especially when the sun goes down and the temperature starts to drop, the air will feel more stagnant, which can lead to serious health problems. Like dehydration. And irritation. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on the weather and know the appropriate measures to take. Like when to open the windows and when to retreat to the relative safety of the inside.
What About The Lighting?
Even when it’s not yet dark out, the lights in a hockey arena will feel much cooler than that of an indoor swimming pool or a giant warehouse. The lighting in a hockey arena will be quite bright, especially when the arena is illuminated by the bright hues of the setting sun. It is, therefore, important that the lighting is kept at the proper level. Too little light and you’ll find it hard to see the action clearly, which might lead to dangerous play. Too much light and you’ll end up frying your retinas, which is no good either. It’s always best to keep the lighting just right so you can see the game clearly without straining your eyes. It’s the only way you’ll be able to enjoy the action, especially when the temperature is below freezing.
What About The Ambiance?
The ambiance in a hockey arena is quite unique. It’s a mixture of factors, mostly due to the fact that arena ice is often times white and somewhat pristine, which makes it all the more visible against the dark backdrop of the night or day. The lighting is usually quite uniform, without much in the way of color. However, the colors and sheens of the ice can dramatically alter the atmosphere in an otherwise drab arena.
There’s also a significant amount of snow and ice debris, which can accumulate quickly, making it look like a real winter wonderland. Or a giant ice cube, if you will. Depending on the time of day and where you are, the ambiance in a hockey arena can vary a lot. During the day, it can be fairly bright, due to the lighting. However, at night, especially when the temperature starts to drop, it can get quite gloomy, due to the lack of sunlight and the absence of any interior lighting – save the ice, of course.
Another important factor to keep in mind is the sound. Even on a large speaker system, the noise level in a hockey arena can be quite high. There’s a lot of banging, crashing, and banging again, which can be quite distracting, especially when you’re at the game and trying to enjoy the experience.
What About The Overall Feel?
Last but not least, we have the overall feel. Like the name suggests, the overall feel in a hockey arena is just what you’d expect from an outdoor winter sports venue. It’s crisp, cool, and a whole lot of fun. While you might get drowsy during the summer and prefer a warmer climate, the outdoor feel of a hockey arena will keep you feeling invigorated, even in the dead of winter.