It's been 12 months since professional figure skater Kody-Leigh Hirst has been on the ice but this week she's back, and Canberrans will get to see her return in all its glory.
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Kody-Leigh is just one professional skater who'll show off their talents at this year's Skating at Garema Place, the annual winter event that sees a pop-up ice rink installed in the centre of Canberra.
Kody-Leigh has spent the past year recovering from knee surgery and said "words can't describe how good it feels" to be back on the ice.
"It's so nice, I just feel so free and open - it feels amazing," she said.
Skating at Garema Place officially opened to the public last week and this year features an ice slide, a jumping castle and real falling snow.
It's the fifth year an open-air ice rink has popped up in Civic, inspiring Canberrans to meet for skate dates after work and drawing families into Garema Place.
This year's event, sponsored by In the City Canberra, is part of the national Skating At festival, with ice rinks also popping up in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane CBDs for the next three weeks.
CEO of In The City Canberra Jane Easthope said a number of businesses had already booked social skating nights for employees. She described the rink this year as "Instagram-worthy".
""Bringing an outdoor ice rink to Canberra is something we're very passionate about," Ms Easthope said.
"We love that it's Canberra's own Rockefeller Centre in New York and Hyde Park in London.
"We want Canberrans to kick back with a warm mulled wine or a hot chocolate and watch the spectacle, and also tuck in to some delicious offerings from food vendors or nearby restaurants and cafes. "
What's new at Skating at Garema Place this year: New roof covering 75 per cent of the rink – so Canberrans can skate in wet weather, five-metre toboggan slide, wheelchair access, kangaroo pushers that allow parents to push their kids across the ice.
Skating at Garema Place, Garema Place, Canberra, June 23 to July 16. Hourly sessions held on the hour. Adult tickets $22, children $16. Family skate pack $76. For more information and to book visit canberra.skatingat.com.au
