Where I live it is hot and humid for much of the year, so even though we get cold winters, it isn't enough to have outdoor ice rinks everywhere like in the Northern US, Canada, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia. I'm jealous of the skating culture where you're at!

One of my Canadian friends was explaining that pretty much everyone chooses to do either hockey or figure skating from a young age with a small minority doing speed skating. She says every neighborhood has its own ice rink too. Also, apparently the women's league for hockey is becoming pretty popular in certain places, so that is cool. I'm guessing it's similar to that where you live?