The Block is Free and Open!
Skate, sled, and gather in the heart of downtown.
Winter Activities at the Starter Block
The Starter Block has become a small winter gathering place in downtown Fairbanks. During the colder months the site comes alive with simple outdoor activities designed to bring people together and make use of the long Interior winter.
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The space currently includes a community ice rink, a sledding hill with shared sleds, and a small retail cabin that will soon host seasonal vendors. All activities are free and open to the public.
Gizmo's Ice Rink
Located at 123 Lacey St, the Starter Block ice rink provides a simple outdoor skating space in the heart of downtown. Maintained by volunteers and community partners, the rink offers a place for casual skating, event booking, and winter gatherings.
The rink is open daily when conditions allow. Visitors are welcome to bring their own skates* and enjoy the space during daylight and evening hours.
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*you can buy used/new skates at Play it Again, or rent a pair at the Big Dipper
We’re so glad you’re here!
We want everyone to enjoy the space, so here are a few things to know to help keep the rink safe, friendly, and fun for all.
Want to sponsor, partner or book an event?
Reach out to us at info@festivalfairbanks.org
Duncan's Sledding Hill
Right next to the rink is a small sledding hill built from the winter snow piles that naturally accumulate downtown. The hill provides a fun and spontaneous activity for kids and families visiting the area.
A collection of sleds is available on site for community use, so anyone can stop by and take a few runs down the hill. The hill was created as a simple way to turn winter snow into a shared public amenity.
Retail Chalet(Opening Soon)
A small retail chalet has been installed beside the rink and sledding hill as part of the Starter Block demonstration project. This structure is intended to support small seasonal businesses, pop-up vendors, and community programming in the space.
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The chalet itself is the result of an incredible community effort. Students from Hutchison High School’s Construction Trades program helped outfit and construct the structure, with donated labor materials from Stew’s Electric & Lighting and Brown’s Electric Supply. Staff from the City of Fairbanks Public Works Department also played a key role in helping move and place the cabin on site, along with support from many local volunteers.
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Together, these contributions helped transform a simple idea into a real piece of downtown infrastructure that can support small businesses, community events, and future experimentation at the Starter Block.
A Community-Built Space
The Starter Block winter activities are the result of donated labor, community partnerships, and local creativity. Volunteers, local businesses, students, and city crews have all helped transform an underused downtown lot into a place for play, gathering, and experimentation.
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The project demonstrates how simple ideas—like a rink, a sled hill, and a small cabin—can help activate public space and support future possibilities for downtown Fairbanks.
There's more coming this summer!
Want to get involved?
Reach out to us at info@festivalfairbanks.org
Starter Block Partners
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​City of Fairbanks Public Works
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Rink building (Roy, Alex, Tim, Malakai, Corey, Vince, Kayla)
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Snow clearing (Jeremiah Cotter, Silas, Chris, Duncan)
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Chalet journey #2 (Robert, Josh, Craig, James, Byron)
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Hutch High Construction Trades (Mr Cross, + students)
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Browns Electric
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​Stews Electric
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Alaska Hose and Fastener (Rob, Jessie, Shawn)
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Vertex
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IABA
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Volunteer corps: The Sorum-Ritchie Family, Schemper-Hill Family, Mike Sanders, Julie Jones, Faustine Bernadac, BuildAK. Chris "Uncle Gizmo" Tilly, Duncan Meyers,
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Marja Hallsten
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Kennebec Family
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