With colder-than-average conditions this fall, it seems promising that Western New York’s outdoor ice skating rinks will be nice and frozen for outdoor sports enthusiasts this winter.

Rotary Rink, downtown Buffalo’s outdoor ice rink, is tentatively scheduled to open Nov. 23—as long as it’s cold enough. The 2012-13 skating season is presented by National Grid, and skating is open to the public during regular hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

There are special hours in place around the holidays, so check the Buffalo Place website for updates.

Though it’s free to skate, it does cost a few dollars to rent skates if you don’t bring your own. The cost of renting skates is $2 for children and $3 for adults. National Grid is sponsoring free skate rental days on Dec. 5, Jan. 2, Feb. 6 and March 6.

East Aurora’s Healthy Zone Rink, which recently underwent a name change, is open all year long for special events, but open skate hours began in mid-October.

Healthy Zone Rink, located at 41 Riley St., originated in Orchard Park in 2008 as the rink used for the Winter Classic. Its regular hours of operation are: 7 to 8:45 p.m. Fridays; 1 to 2:45 p.m., and 7 to 8:45 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 to 2:45 p.m. Sundays. For special holiday hours, visit the rink’s official website.

The cost of skating outdoors in East Aurora is bit more expensive that in Buffalo. It’s $5 for adults age 19 and older; $4 for children 5 to 18, seniors 62 and older and students with college IDs; and free to children 4 and younger. Renting skates is an additional $3.

If you’re an avid fan of outdoor skating, you should enter to win this contest sponsored by Buffalo.com and Buffalo Place. One lucky winner will receive a private ice skating party for 15 at Rotary Rink.

Photo courtesy of Flickr / stemberovi.