54 HOURS : Los Angeles on Ice

Ice skating among palm trees may seem an anomaly to blizzard faces back East, but we’re Californians--what do we care? Grab your bun warmers and your main squeeze and head to Universal CityWalk’s ice rink Friday for opening day of the outdoor rink under the stars--and of the stars. At least we can guarantee stars of the sports world: L.A. Kings players Rob Blake, Eric Lacroix, Darryl Sydor and Vitali Yachmenev will be on hand for Ice Breaker ‘95, from 4-6 p.m. opening day. Two of the players will coach the public through Accuracy Shooting and Speed Blast contests, while the others will sign $1 autographs to benefit the Kings’ Family of Charities. The event is free.

The rink normally opens the day after Thanksgiving, but has proven so popular it will open this weekend and run throughout the winter season. Hours are Fridays, 3 p.m.-1 a.m.; Saturdays, noon-1 a.m.; Sundays, noon-11:30 p.m.; Mondays-Thursdays, 4:30-11:30 p.m. The rink, in front of the cinema, is open at one-hour intervals for $6; skate rental, $2. Busiest times are after 10 p.m. weekends, when moviegoers and starry-eyed romantics hit the ice. Universal Center Drive, Universal City. (818) 733-4040.