the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, Fritz Dietl was the founder and owner of the Fritz Dietl Ice Skating Rink. He was born on July 11, 1911 in Vienna, Austria and held Master’s Degree in Engineering. Dietl began ice skating at age 12 on the Old Danube River in his hometown of Vienna. In the 1930s, he had his own European ice skating show where he was featured as a stilt skater.
Fritz Dietl came to the United States in 1940 and began skating with the Olympic Champion, Sonja Henie. In 1958, he opened Fritz Dietl Ice Skating Rink, which is still in operation today by the Dietl Family!
The history of the building at the corner of Lake Street and Broadway is a testament to its enduring significance in the community. Dating back to 1902, it initially served as a chair manufacturing firm. In the 1930s, the building changed ownership and transformed into Webber’s Garage, a hub for automotive services until 1958. It was during this year that Fritz Dietl, a renowned figure skating star and coach from The Skating Club of New York, purchased the building.
Motivated to bring ice skating closer to his Bergen County home where rinks were scarce, Fritz undertook a significant project. He renovated the existing structure, incorporating equipment from a rink in Aspen, Colorado, and relocated across the country. Notably, the 1956 Zamboni, which is still operational today, made its way to the rink via this journey. In 1958, the Fritz Dietl Ice Skating Studio opened its doors, marking the establishment of Bergen County’s first ice skating rink.
Over the years, it remained a cornerstone in the community, even becoming the sole rink open during summer months, attracting coaches and figure skaters from afar. Fritz’s dedication, both to running the rink and coaching, left an indelible mark on the skating world. In 1966, the rink underwent a major renovation, enlarging the ice surface to its present size and reconfiguring the lobby. As other rinks emerged in the vicinity, the Fritz Dietl Ice Rink continued to be a beloved skating destination. In 2018, this unique rink celebrated its 60th anniversary, commemorating its enduring legacy in the community.
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Thank you, Dietl family, for the very nice memories.
I went there as a kid. Even had a birthday party there even though my birthday is in June. Was so much fun. I think there was also the Montvale roller rink. Such fun!!
what a treat to have the memory of my daughter and I skating in shorts on a hot summers day. Thank you Dietl family for such fond memories.
I put on my first skates years after I finished college. I would practice my beginners programs and Mr. Fritz Dietl would encourage me as though I was an Olympian. He would have his son show me how he sprayed the audience with snow in his show skating days. I learned so much abt the old days from Mr. Dietl. Joyous times. All the best to your family!
My daughters coach from Sky Rink introduced me to Fritz in the late 70’s. I was fascinated by the square cornered rink so that everyone would have a full patch. I would bring my daughters skates there for Fritz to sharpen. A truly amazing man.
My son learned to play hockey there in the 80s and played in college
And now he’s teaching his sons to play and their teams
Are in the top 20 rankings for their age in north America thats US and Canada
And play in tournaments from Toronto to Chicago to the Carolinas
Who can I get in touch with regarding this closure?
So many memories of this rink. My daughter was a figure skater for many years, and she loved skating there. She even taught lessons there. I took adult group lessons there and had so much fun. I wish the family all the best, and want them to know that they will truly be missed
Thanks for three generations of happy memories!
— The Breens & The Fishers
Thank you to your entire family for keeping your wonderful ice rink open for all these years. My children and I spent making days skating on your ice. Fritz Dietl was there each and every visit. What a remarkable man he was. I know it has been hard work keeping your doors open all these years but the community appreciates the sacrifices your family has made. We say goodbye to an incredible landmark. Thanks again for the memories.
How much do they want for it? Is it still a profitable business?
I skated at the rink in the late 1950’s and into the 1960’s. It was a wonderful experience to have
lessons by Fritz Dietlz and Karl Shaffer and knowing & watching Scotty Allen practice at the rink.
Over the years I have volunteered at our local rink teaching skating and directing our program.
A very nice lifetime sport!