Vail has not one but two public skating rinks families can tale advantage of.

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To entice students to pay top dollar, developers are adding upscale amenities including tanning beds, resort-style pools and ice-skating rinks.

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"No one had ever heard of this sport, and there are maybe only three skating rinks in the U.K., " says Ms. Welch.

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In winter, when the sun is only an occasional visitor, the town squares are strung with lights and ice skating rinks are full.

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