Sweltering temperatures, unforgiving heat waves and scorching pavement are all signs that summer is in full effect and the battle to stay cool has begun. It is never an easy feat in the Santa Clarita to beat the burning sensation of the desert sun, but this month's Great Find is this season's secret weapon to chilling out, literally. Sure, you can barricade yourself in your air-conditioned casa, laze around under a shady oak tree or take a refreshing dip in the pool, but these activities lack the adventure, exercise and fun that the Ice Station Valencia has provided SCV residents for the past three years. After taking one step into the frosty oasis, it is evident why residents retreat to this icescape as soon as the sun comes out to play. We recently rediscovered its appeal after searching for the summer's answer to beating the heat.

The Ice Station is host to many summer activities that cater to all age groups. With advanced leagues, individual lessons, special events, private parties and much more, there is no question why this season marks the busiest for the popular destination. The doors are open to the advanced "I can skate around you with my eyes closed," intermediate "I can skate around you with one eye closed" and even the beginner "I can't even tie up my laces with my eyes open."

Don't think you have the time or energy to fit a quick couple of laps around the rink? Well, think again! A fantastic little unknown fact about the Ice Station is they are host to a daily Coffee Club program. It is a great little adult-only pick-me-up for adults on their lunch break, parents on their early afternoon run or energy-fix fiends.

More of an aggressive alpha-male type? Not to worry: three-on-three hockey tournaments are a regular event at the Ice Station. Bring a fan club to cheer you on from the elevated bleachers and live out your dream of showing off your stuff in front of a rambunctious crowd. If you aren't so much into pucking around, then Stick Time may be more up your alley, where you can concentrate on perfecting your moves and improving your skills.

Oh, and there are plenty of activities for the kiddies like Kidtastic, where children enjoy daily ice-skating instruction and games as well as 10 hours on the ice every week! Kidtastic Director Amanda Junco adds, "It is officially the coolest camp in town." From fundamentals to complex twirls, the instructors at the Ice Station are some of the best and will teach your child exactly what it takes to land that always-difficult triple toe-edge loopdedy loop (please revert to instructor for proper technical term). The Dance Academy also focuses on specific areas of skating, like ballet, where skaters learn the growing art of ice dancing, which not only helps with coordination but with overall performance techniques as well.

In addition to all of the traditional elements associated with ice rinks, there are a few activities offered by the Ice Station that are a little more out of the box, like Snow Day. Jumping around in snow and frolicking along in your winter's wardrobe seems absolutely out of the question during such insane temperatures, but the Ice Station makes it possible, with a cup of hot cocoa and cookie to top it off. Broomball is another off the wall event that is great fun for any age group, and when all you need is assembled teams in tow, it seems utterly crazy to pass up such an unbelievable good time.

If you are out for the season, don't worry, Ice Station has iced over something special for the spectator in you. Freeze the Disease Celebrity Hockey Game on July 31, from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm is the place to be. Watch some of your favorite celebrities and athletes duke it out, all in the name of cystic fibrosis. It is bound to be one of the best family sports entertainment activities of the season, so be sure to grab your parka from the closet and mark your calendars, as this event only comes once a year. Now there is no excuse to sizzle this summer, as Ice Station Valencia is sure to be the answer to that burning question, "How do we escape the heat?"

Ice Station Valencia is located at 27745 Smyth Drive in Valencia. Call 775-8686 for more information.