Las Vegas: Ice skating and more at Caesars; shops open at the Linq

Skating at an Alpine lodge. Playing beer pong around the clock. Shopping for the most-blogged-about gifts. Such dreams can now come true along Las Vegas Boulevard.

Through Jan. 20, Caesars Palace is creating a winter wonderland at its Caesars Chalet. Overlooking the Strip, the chalet features an outdoor ice-skating rink, falling snow and hot drinks, with and without alcohol.

Skating sessions are available 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m. The half-hour sessions cost $11, and skate rental is available for $5.

Just across the Strip, the first properties at the Linq have opened. The retail, dining and entertainment district is between the Quad and Flamingo resorts.

The open-air mall -- with a giant Ferris wheel called the High Roller as its anchor -- is to open in stages during this year.

Businesses already welcoming customers include:

The Haute Doggery, an eatery featuring hot dogs from Sahlen’s of Buffalo, N.Y., made from beef and pork and featuring natural casings.

KOTO, a gift shop with an ever-changing line of products featured in trendsetting blogs.

O’Sheas, an Irish-themed casino that used to front onto the Strip before closing its doors to make way for the Linq. It’s now inside the Quad and features six beer-pong tables.

The Purple Zebra, a self-serve daiquiri bar. The name comes from a reference in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “This Side of Paradise,” in which a character spots a purple zebra after over-imbibing.