IN Shaler Spring 2020 | Page 16

Sliding into Town Sliders—Pittsburgh’s first competitive bar-style ice curling rink—opens in Millvale. BY NICOLE TAFE F inding things to do around town in the colder months can sometimes be hard in Pittsburgh, but with the recent opening of Sliders—a bar-style ice curling rink—residents and friends from all over can enjoy a great night out while trying their hand at a fun winter sport. Sliders is Pittsburgh’s first competitive bar-style curling rink. A seasonal offshoot of popular axe-throwing business LumberjAxes, Sliders opened in November. The venue offers a more accessible version of the sport many people encounter only once every four years while watching the Winter Olympics. Curling involves sliding large, smooth granite “stones” across a sheet of ice toward a target. Traditionally, players stand on the 14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com ice, with one team member “throwing” the stone while others sweep the ice to influence its trajectory. At Sliders, guests play a “bar-style” version of the sport that’s easier to learn (and doesn’t require special shoes). Individual competitors take turns throwing their Olympic-style stones while standing on rubber mats, rather than walking on and sweeping the ice. This fun winter sport is open to anyone 12 years or older, regardless of experience. Sliders is the latest project of business partners Corey Deasy, Matt Peyton, and Jack Welsh, the trio behind LumberjAxes, a competitive axe-throwing business. None are seasoned curlers but all three are excited about introducing fun new activities to their city.