Joy Burns Arena

University of Denver's Community Ice Arena

Joy Burns Arena is the University of Denver's community ice rink inside the Daniel L. Ritchie Center on East Asbury Avenue. The rink runs Learn to Skate USA curriculum, Learn to Play Hockey, figure-skating progression, and the Jr. Pioneers youth hockey program affiliated with the DU Pioneers Division I program.

Programs for Kids

The DU Learn to Skate program ladders skaters from preschool through advanced. Programs include:
- Snowplow Sam Learn to Skate for ages 3-5
- Learn to Skate USA Basic 1-6 curriculum
- Learn to Play Hockey progression
- Jr. Pioneers youth hockey for ages 4-14 (Rocky Mountain Hockey Federation)
- Figure-skating progression and freestyle
- Special Olympics skating classes
- Adult Learn to Skate and pickup hockey
- Public skating sessions
- Hockey clinics and skill camps

What's Included

• Indoor ice sheet at the Ritchie Center (companion sheet to Magness Arena)
• Skate-rental included with Learn to Skate registration
• Coaching staff with DU and Pioneers development experience
• Locker rooms and warm spectator viewing
• Daily hours 6 AM - 11 PM
• Year-round programming calendar

Experience

Snowplow Sam classes for ages 3-5 work on first ice steps in a supportive small-group setting. Basic levels progress through stops, edges, and crossovers. Jr. Pioneers players follow the structured Rocky Mountain Hockey Federation pathway, while figure-skating students can pursue freestyle through DU coaches. Sharing a building with the Division I Pioneers hockey program adds aspirational draw.