Idaho Falls “Ice Gala” Raises Funds to Keep Local Hockey and Figure Skating Programs Affordable for Families
Masquerade-Themed Event Supports Two Idaho Falls Ice Sports Organizations
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Ice skating and ice hockey may not be among the most widely recognized sports in the American West, but in Idaho Falls, two dedicated organizations are working hard to give local young athletes a place to train, compete, and grow. On Friday evening, those organizations came together for the “Ice Gala,” a masquerade-themed fundraising ball held at the Elks Lodge in Idaho Falls, aimed at keeping both programs financially sustainable for local families.
The event benefited Idaho Falls Figure Skating and the Snake River Youth Hockey Association, two clubs that share the significant cost of ice time in the Idaho Falls area. According to organizers, the financial demands of running ice sports programs are substantial and often invisible to those outside the community.
“I think that what a lot of people don’t realize is when you have an athlete in a sport like this, you’re not just paying for your kid’s time on the ice,” said Sydnee Nethery with Idaho Falls Figure Skating. “The organizations have to meet anywhere from $215 to $300 every hour that they’re on the ice. And so that adds up weekly to thousands between the two organizations.”
Those hourly costs — multiplied across weekly practice schedules for both organizations — create a financial burden that falls on the clubs and, ultimately, on the families they serve. Fundraisers like the Ice Gala help bridge that gap, allowing the programs to continue offering training opportunities, bring in outside talent including Olympic-level coaches, and participate in larger competitive tournaments.
Mission to Keep Kids Active, Engaged, and on the Ice
Beyond the financial mechanics, both organizations emphasize a broader community mission. Darby Heyrend with the Snake River Youth Hockey Association expressed a long-term vision that extends beyond the rink itself.
“We would love to be able to have an ice rink that has ice year round in this area. There’s one in Rexburg but we’d like one in Idaho Falls,” Heyrend said. “Our mission is just to keep the kids on the ice and out of trouble, keep them interested in sports and keep life positive for them.”
That sentiment — keeping youth engaged in structured, disciplined activities — reflects the kind of community investment that resonates deeply in Bonneville County, where family values and youth development remain central priorities. Ice sports, while niche, offer many of the same life lessons associated with more traditional team athletics.
Nethery echoed that perspective, pointing to the character development that comes with participation in either program. “I think that between the two organizations, they learn so much more than just how to play hockey or figure skate through working with a team,” she said. “You learn accountability and learn responsibility, things like that. For the figure skaters, they learn all the performance skills that will carry them through one day leading a meeting in a boardroom or being able to connect themselves in a way that represents them and their organization really well. So the lessons they learn go far beyond the ice, and that’s what’s really important.”
Community events like the Ice Gala reflect the spirit of private, locally-driven support for youth programs — an approach that relies on voluntary giving and community engagement rather than government funding. Idaho Falls residents looking to support the effort can donate directly to Idaho Falls Figure Skating at idahofallsfsc.org or to the Snake River Youth Hockey Association at yetishockey.com.
For those interested in other upcoming community events across East Idaho, the Outdoor FitFest event planned in Idaho Falls offers another opportunity for residents to connect around active, family-friendly programming. Earlier this spring, the East Idaho Home and Garden Show took over the Mountain America Center, drawing large crowds from across Bonneville County.
What Comes Next
Both Idaho Falls Figure Skating and the Snake River Youth Hockey Association will continue operating their programs through the coming season. Organizers hope the funds raised at the Ice Gala will help offset ice time costs, support competitive travel, and sustain training opportunities for athletes of all ages. Community members interested in learning more or contributing to either program are encouraged to visit the organizations’ respective websites. The long-term goal of securing a year-round ice facility in Idaho Falls remains an aspiration that organizers say would transform the local ice sports landscape for generations of young athletes to come.