The UPMC Rink at PPG Place in Downtown Pittsburgh has earned a top winter honor: most beautiful ice rink in North America.
The rink ranked No. 9 on the list of the most beautiful ice rinks in the world — and was the highest-ranked in North America, according to a new global study conducted by Premier Inn.
The ranking was based on eye-tracking technology used to analyze images of more than 50 rinks worldwide. Participants spent an average of 2.5 seconds admiring the rink at PPG Place, helping it earn a total score of 70.9 out of 100.
Set beneath Pittsburgh’s glassy, castle-like skyscrapers, the rink has been a seasonal staple since it first opened in 2001. It operates annually from mid-November through late February or early March, serving as a centerpiece of the city’s holiday festivities.
And in case you’re wondering: yes, the Pittsburgh rink is bigger than New York’s Rockefeller Center rink — 67 percent larger, in fact.
Only two North American rinks cracked the global top 15.
Quebec City’s Place D’Youville came in second in North America with a score of 69.7, followed by Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto with 69.3.
It's Christmas 365 