The snow outside may turn to muddy slush, but inside? Well, it's a winter wonderland.

Yes, the Winter Ice Palace returns for its 15th year at the Cloverdale Arena, starting this Friday, Dec. 21. The arena will once again be transformed for families to enjoy, with holiday lighting, Christmas trees and a brand new archway and railing for the less-seasoned skaters to hold on to.

But the centerpiece, as always, will be a large Christmas tree, decked with holiday lighting, placed in the middle of the rink for all skaters to glide around.

"It just keeps getting more and more popular every year. We're almost at a point where we're almost maxed out (at this arena)," says Allyson Fennell, community services co-ordinator for Cloverdale Arena operations.

Fennell estimates 10,000 people turned out over the 10 days in 2011, and is expecting the same this year.

In White Rock, Centennial Park arena is decking the halls with its own Holiday Break Skates, from Dec.

24 to Jan. 6. Each day will feature a different family theme and "stick and puck" sessions between 11: 30 a.m. and 12: 15 p.m. Visit www. whiterockcity.ca for details about rules and regulations.

North Delta Recreation Centre arena is hosting its own wonderland, Polar North, complete with an igloo, penguins and other features. Skating sessions run all day from Dec. 28 to Jan. 4. Visit www.delta.ca for more information.

Twitter @stephensmys