Most impressive and least impressive venues?

[TanithandBenFan]

The only thing I liked about the arena in San Jose was they let us bring in outside food, like entire meals, without having to smuggle them in. The walk to the host hotel at night was too far and felt sketchy. Was thankful in 2023 that I had a friend who drove her car there so didn’t need to Uber every day.

 

[Icetalavista]

At least the above venues are permanent. At Euros in Graz, Austria, the venue was a large tent. Despite the fact that there was a large skating arena in town. There was an outside food court and an indoor way-undersized restaurant. I saw great skating there because I moved from my bad seat but the experience was very odd.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

The arena for SKAM in Pittsburgh was really old, but there were so many restaurants and hotels nearby, I'd visit there again for an event.

Are you talking about skate America 2004? I was there for that and I don’t remember any negative things, I remember the city actually had a lot to offer. I didn’t have any issue with the arena it was held in.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

At least the above venues are permanent. At Euros in Graz, Austria, the venue was a large tent. Despite the fact that there was a large skating arena in town. There was an outside food court and an indoor way-undersized restaurant. I saw great skating there because I moved from my bad seat but the experience was very odd.

What year was that?

 

[WOULDACOULDARETURNS]

Also, I remember the last worlds in Boston it look like that was very nicely attended which is where it’s going to be again this year. Did you guys like this arena?

I liked the arena, from what I can remember. I had really good seats. Parking was a nightmare.

 

[Icetalavista]

What year was that?

2020. The peak of Kostornaia/Aliev. Saw them. Then ate hotdogs and mulled wine in the outdoor food court LOL

 

[A.H.Black]

The arena in San Jose was probably my top arena as far as best tech/sound and comfort (temperature and seat). If the area wasn't as costly for hotel space, it would be an ideal place to host Worlds some time, imo.

I've been in the San Jose arena 4 times for Nationals and hated it every time. The seating and stairs are very steep. This means the seats require that you bend your knees a lot. Mine ache after 2 hours - after 12 hours I am in pain. The height of each step is very high, making going up to the concourse very hard every time. We finally found the lower concourse and used it, much easier.
I also find it very cold. I can see myself in the broadcast of the 2018 Nationals huddled with blankets and my heavy coat. The first time we were there, we were where the cold air from back stage and the Zamboni got us every time there was an ice make - frigid. The only thing that made it manageable was that the practice arena was even colder. That, plus any competition in California is a new level in expensive every time. I cringe every time we have to go to San Jose.

I do agree with TanithandBenFan that the food situation was the best - especially once the Whole Foods market went in a block away.

Different experiences for different people.

 

[peibeck]

Are you talking about skate America 2004? I was there for that and I don’t remember any negative things, I remember the city actually had a lot to offer. I didn’t have any issue with the arena it was held in.

Yes, the city was great. But the concourse was very dim and grungy and the scoreboard and monitors were very grainy. TT/MM's concussion splat to end the comp was the negative bookend to Kwan's withdrawing. (Although the latter was obviously good for your gal, Angela. )

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Yes, the city was great. But the concourse was very dim and grungy and the scoreboard and monitors were very grainy. TT/MM's concussion splat to end the comp was the negative bookend to Kwan's withdrawing. (Although the latter was obviously good for your gal, Angela. )

We’re like two star crossed lovers that never got to meet.

We were both at the same venue at the same time?

So this was 21 years ago lol so all I remember was that nothing was bad about the arena, my gosh I can’t remember anything but yes, Tatiana and Max I mean she was out cold. One of the scariest balls I’ve ever seen…

The magical part was they were OK eventually and Angela winning the women’s event.

 

[Ananas Astra]

The Iceberg arena in Sochi looks pretty cool. No idea about the comfort, though.

Bercy was okay back in the days and the Dortmunder Westfalenhalle as well.

 

[Finnice]

Espoo Metro Arena is pretty comfortable, has enought toilets, even a decent restaurant inside plus is easily reached by metro BUT I am afraid next GP will be in Helsinki. Maybe at the old rink in Töölö, which is ok itself, maybe in the former Hartwall Arena, which hosted Euros 2009 and Worlds 1999&2017. It is also a good venue and has s restaurant inside plus a huge mall nearby nowadays.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Yes, the city was great. But the concourse was very dim and grungy and the scoreboard and monitors were very grainy. TT/MM's concussion splat to end the comp was the negative bookend to Kwan's withdrawing. (Although the latter was obviously good for your gal, Angela. )

I have so little recollection of Mellon Arena except hauling ass all the way around the concourse to the other side of the arena to get a pic with Babou.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I have so little recollection of Mellon Arena except hauling ass all the way around the concourse to the other side of the arena to get a pic with Babou.

Were you there as well? For that skate America? And I have some really good photos with tanith and Ben from that.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Were you there as well? For that skate America? And I have some really good photos with tanith and Ben from that.

I was! That was my first Skate America. I have a pic with Tanith and Ben from the Friends of Figure Skating reception. I think that might be only photo with both of them. I have a couple with Ben from later years.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I was! That was my first Skate America. I have a pic with Tanith and Ben from the Friends of Figure Skating reception. I think that might be only photo with both of them. I have a couple with Ben from later years.

Me toooooo and first.

We should start a 2004 skate America thread, lol

I have many with Angela, of course, and everybody u can imagine including coaches, lol and sportscasters lol. Tanith and Ben were very gracious. I have several with them.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

from the Friends of Figure Skating reception

What was that?

I just bumrushed practice sessions, you know like a lady. Lol

 

[TanithandBenFan]

What was that?

I just bumrushed practice sessions, you know like a lady. Lol

It was the precursor to the FOFS breakfast. It was in the club room at the arena and they had hors d'oeuvres and skaters mingling. The only other one I have pic with is Ryan Jahnke, so I don't remember if there were others there.

I used to be all over the autograph/photo scene at practices too! We'd camp out by the railing next to the skaters' exit all day. At Nationals I was almost crushed to death quite a few times in the MK scrum.

Had to grab the photos!

https://imgur.com/a/bRB3X6i

https://imgur.com/a/3mn8GiB

Angela at practice

https://imgur.com/a/ySHPGVj

Evan before he got all weird and stopped talking to people

https://imgur.com/a/sRUh5Iv

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

It was the precursor to the FOFS breakfast. It was in the club room at the arena and they had hors d'oeuvres and skaters mingling. The only other one I have pic with is Ryan Jahnke, so I don't remember if there were others there.

I used to be all over the autograph/photo scene at practices too! We'd camp out by the railing next to the skaters' exit all day. At Nationals I was almost crushed to death quite a few times in the MK scrum.

Had to grab the photos!

https://imgur.com/a/bRB3X6i

https://imgur.com/a/3mn8GiB

Angela at practice

https://imgur.com/a/ySHPGVj

Evan before he got all weird and stopped talking to people

https://imgur.com/a/sRUh5Iv

OOOOOO

MMMMMMMMMM

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

I have the exact same photo of Brian, and where you snapped Angela I have a whole bunch of her right there at the boards and then we went up to her and I explain how I am the president of her. Lol and I got a bunch with her.

Gosh, we had to have seen each other, you and I.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

OOOOOO

MMMMMMMMMM

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

I have the exact same photo of Brian, and where you snapped Angela I have a whole bunch of her right there at the boards and then we went up to her and I explain how I am the president of her. Lol and I got a bunch with her.

Gosh, we had to have seen each other, you and I.

I'm sure we did!!

 

[peibeck]

I'm sure we did!!

Going to have to read @TanithandBenFan 's books now to see if her characters have any interactions with crazy skating fans with "harems."

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Going to have to read @TanithandBenFan 's books now to see if her characters have any interactions with crazy skating fans with "harems."

I gave myself a fan cameo in almost all my books.

 

[cholla]

Stockholm Globen (now Avicii) has been one of my fave arenas so far. Espoo is nice too. On the other hand, Palavela in Torino is certainly my least fave. The press room is ridiculously small and the press stands not much better. Medolanium Forum (Milano/Assago) is more comfortable although the arena is quite old. Accor Arena in Paris Bercy is perfect but it's no longer used for FS events (too expensive) but we have Aren'Ice in Cergy, not far from Paris, which is brand new and superb. Angers Arena is great too. Grenoble Polesud is average. The arena in Kaunas (Lituania) was good too and so is Tondibara Ice Hall in Tallinn (except for its outside architecture as I'm not at all into brutalism.) Centre Bell in Montreal is beautifully located downtown but not very practical when you work as the press room is on the top floor and the press stands 2 or 3 floors lower with slow and crowded elevators. Sofia (Bulgarie) and Debrecen (Hungary) have old decrepit arenas with very uncomfortable seats. I've been to countless others in Europe, NA and Asia but I can't think of any particular ones either in a really positive or negative sense.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Stockholm Globen (now Avicii) has been one of my fave arenas so far. Espoo is nice too. On the other hand, Palavela in Torino is certainly my least fave. The press room is ridiculously small and the press stands not much better. Medolanium Forum (Milano/Assago) is more comfortable although the arena is quite old. Accor Arena in Paris Bercy is perfect but it's no longer used for FS events (too expensive) but we have Aren'Ice in Cergy, not far from Paris, which is brand new and superb. Angers Arena is great too. Grenoble Polesud is average. The arena in Kaunas (Lituania) was good too and so is Tondibara Ice Hall in Tallinn (except for its outside architecture as I'm not at all into brutalism.) Centre Bell in Montreal is beautifully located downtown but not very practical when you work as the press room is on the top floor and the press stands 2 or 3 floors lower with slow and crowded elevators. Sofia (Bulgarie) and Debrecen (Hungary) have old decrepit arenas with very uncomfortable seats. I've been to countless others in Europe, NA and Asia but I can't think of any particular ones either in a really positive or negative sense.

Thank you for all of your feedback and information.