According to my third grade science class, snow and ice are both made of water. Apparently, though, that doesn’t mean you can just pile them together and call it an ice rink. The National Gallery of Art has delayed the opening of its much-beloved ice rink, saying Thursday’s snowfall has pushed rink creation off.

Making an ice rink, as it turns out, doesn’t just take pouring a bunch of water in a big bowl and waiting for it to freeze. “I like to say it’s mostly science, but it’s also part art,” says Christina Brown, publicist at the NGA.

Originally set for opening this Saturday, the Sculpture Garden rink will now open at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 19.

The process starts by placing a layer of special paper atop the concrete slab that makes up the rink. The slab needs to be dry, which explains why snow would make it difficult. Then comes the process of laying down and freezing water. The whole thing takes about 28 hours, Brown says.

Now that the skies are clear, ice making is officially underway. When the rink opens on Monday, it will offer 45-minute skating sessions for $9 ($8 for skaters over 49 or under 13 years old). Skates are available for rent at $4. The museum also offers lessons, and a menu of beverages and light fare at the Pavilion Café.

The rink is set to be open through March 10, weather permitting.

That’s not all the bad news for area skating enthusiasts: The Canal Park ice rink at the Capitol Riverfront has also been delayed. Originally set to open Friday, a new tentative opening date has been set for Nov. 20 after a cooling system malfunction.

Should you want to start skating right now, you still have an option: The Watergate Hotel’s rooftop rink is now open. And according to a voicemail message at the Washington Harbour, that rink in Georgetown is set to open on Nov. 18 at 10 a.m.

This story has been updated.