Skating rinks become everyone’s favourite spots as the colder months approach. Both adults and children share a similar level of enthusiasm for ice skating. One of the world’s most popular locations for ice skate parks is in Ottawa, Canada. In recent years, ice skating in Ottawa has gained popularity, especially given that Rideau Canal is the city’s biggest rink. Numerous people flock to Ottawa each year to enjoy the thrilling skating sport. Some of them opt to avoid the bitter weather and ice, but we’re here to persuade you otherwise.
Ice skating in Ottawa is exciting, entertaining, and a great way to burn calories. You can improve your body and mind balance by ice skating. You can maximize your time by visiting Ottawa’s rinks.
Let’s go over the variety of activities provided at these ice rinks and the hours, locations, and admission costs in this article.
Which are the famous spots for ice skating in Ottawa?
Ice skating in Ottawa is the most loved activity during winters. With the city’s largest ice skate park over Rideau Canal, people from around the world visit this place to get an amusing experience of skating. More than ten ice rinks are available for skating in Ottawa alone; imagine how many rinks will be there in the whole country of Canada.
Ice skate parks in Canada have many more things to offer than just skating. They have small food stands and bonfires beside to help the skaters warm themselves up. Ottawa’s indoor sakting and outdoor skating spots are in demand, especially during winters. The rinks are well-maintained and have skilled coaches, volunteers, and skating assistants that help you to skate right and without any injury on the ice trail. Among hundreds of rinks, a few have become the hub of the ice skate parks in the city.
Here are the top spots for public ice skating in Ottawa.
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The largest Rink Skating on Rideau Canal
The largest skating rink in the world, Rideau Canal, stays filled with skaters during the winters. Ice skating in Ottawa on Rideau Canal is an essential part of winter. The 7.8 kilometres long trail starts from Downtown Ottawa and goes to Dow’s lake. See how long you can skate on the trail and stop midway on one of the canal’s spots to refuel for a Beavertail.
Address: Ottawa, ON K1S 0Y1, Canada
Availability Hours: Opens during January from 8:00 AM
Cost of Ice Skating: Free of cost
Skating Prerequisites: Bring your pair of skates to the Rideau Canal
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The intricacy of Ice Skating at Éco-Odyssée
The water maze of Éco-Odyssée is transformed into an ice skate park with a long gliding distance of 5 kilometres. The mesmerising views along the way will give you an unmatched escapade and get to grab your favourite mouth-watering food items available on the on-side stand cooked on a bonfire. It is one of the unique ice skates in Ottawa park, with diversified views along the way. The elucidated pathway makes this ice skate park more beautiful when visiting at night. Snowshoe trails are also available for you to enjoy skating more.
Address: 52 Chem. des Sources, Wakefield, QC J0X 3G0, Canada
Availability Hours: Opens during winter from Thursdays to Sundays
Cost of Ice Skating: $20 per adult, $15 per youth; there are no entry costs for kids below the age of 3
Skating Prerequisites: Bring your pair of skates
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Icelynd Forest Ice Skating in Ottawa
The newest Ottawa outdoor skating spot, Icelynd Forest trail, offers an adventurous rink through an ODR and amid the trees. Ice skating in Ottawa’s this spot at night will offer an illuminated pathway and a memorable experience. Also, do not forget to get your skating pass in advance.
Address: 6865 Fernbank Rd, Stittsville, ON K2S 1B6, Canada
Preferable Hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost of Ice Skating: $18 per Adult, $12 per Child or Senior, The rink can be booked for skating at an hourly price
Skating Prerequisites: Bring your pair of skates
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River Oak Skating Trial Amid the Apple Orchard
Skating amid the apple orchard on the River Oak trail is a beautiful experience you will never forget. Under the shining stars, the ice skate park caters for the magical experience of running through the freezing ice. The park suggests the skaters bring their headlamps as the trail has partial lighting. After turning off the headlamp during night skating, you can see the glittering sky full of stars. The park also allows you to bring your dogs and warm up in the bonfire.
Address: 2900 York’s Corners Rd, Metcalfe, ON K0A 2P0, Canada
Preferable Hours: Wednesday to Thursday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost of Ice Skating: Single-day skating charges ($13.50 per adult and $9 per youth), 3-day skating and season passes are also available
Skating Prerequisites: Bring your pair of skates
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Ice Skate Park of Patinage En Forets
Skating through the long trees on the 3-kilometres-long trail of Patinage En Forets can be a whole new experience for you. Gliding through the trees during winters and meadows can be the perfect romantic date you have always wanted. The trail glides you on Gatineau Park, 45 kilometres from Ottawa. The trail has a fireplace outside the space where you can warm yourself with a cup of hot beverage in hand. There are few days when you can go gliding at night amid the illuminated path.
Address: 9 Mnt Beausoleil, Lac-des-Loups, QC J0X 3K0, Canada
Preferable Hours: 9:00 AM to Dusk
Cost of Ice Skating:
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- Adults: $16 per day, $48 per season
- Children (from 6 to 17): $12 per day, $36 per season
- Children (from 5 and under): free of cost
- Families (with 2 adults and 2 children): $48 per day, $144 per season
Skating Prerequisites: $10 per pair of skates (limited pieces available only)
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Countryside Adventures Ottawa Outdoor Skating
The best part about Countryside Adventures public skating in Ottawa park is that you can go cross-country skiing, skate, or even snowshoe through the various pathways available. Get mesmerised by the beauty of nature while enjoying the gliding through the trees and witness the beautiful view with public ice skating in Ottawa’s Countryside Adventures. The spot is 30 minutes away from the city of Ottawa. After skating, grab food from the available food trucks and warm up beside the fireplace. Dogs are welcome to the park. However, they should be leashed and clean afterwards.
Address: 16495 Sixth Rd, Moose Creek, ON K0C 1W0, Canada
Preferable Hours: Monday to Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Thursday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Sunday from 10:00 AM up to dark
Cost of Ice Skating:
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- Adults: $12 per day, $50 per season
- Children (from 6 to 15): $8 per day, $35 per season
- Children (from 5 and under): free of cost
- Senior or Military Person: $8 per day, $35 per season
Skating Prerequisites: $10 per pair of skates (limited pairs available only)
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Valley Skating Through Laurentian Trail in Ottawa
The 1.5-kilometres-long skating trail that offers night skating with a lighted path is available at the Laurentian Valley. This rink is near the Pembroke, and a snowshoe trail of 2 kilometres long is situated near the skating rink.
Address: 2 Henan Rd, Pembroke, ON K8A 6W8, Canada
Preferable Hours: Every Day 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Night Skates on Thursdays and Saturdays starting from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost of Ice Skating: Free of cost. Donations are accepted here
Skating Prerequisites: Bring your pair of skates
Refrigerated Rinks for Ottawa Indoor Skating Experience
A few refrigerated Ottawa indoor skating spots are available to enjoy your leisure time at any temperature. The biggest benefit of these refrigerated rinks is that you do not have to worry about falling in freezing water. Here are the top refrigerated ice skate park rinks in Ottawa.
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Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink
Address: 2185 Arch St, Ottawa, ON K1G 2H5, Canada
Availability Hours: On Weekdays – 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM; On Weekends – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost of Ice Skating: Free of cost, but make sure to receive your spot in advance.
Skating Prerequisites: Bring your pair of skates.
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Benjamin Franklin Place
Address: 101 Centrepointe Dr, Napean, ON K2G 5K7, Canada
Availability Hours: Every day from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM (weather permitting timings)
Cost of Ice Skating: Skating is free of cost, but a reservation is important to skate freely.
Skating Prerequisites: Bring your pair of skates.
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Rings of Dreams
Address: 110 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1, Canada
Availability Hours: Every day from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost of Ice Skating: Ice skating in Ottawa at this spot is free. However, you are required to make a booking.
Skating Prerequisites: Nothing. Skate on rent along with sharpening is available at the spot of the ice skate park.
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Lansdowne
Address: Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa, ON K1S 5M5, Canada
Availability Hours: 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost of Ice Skating: Free of cost, reserve your spot in advance
Skating Prerequisites: Bring your pair of skates.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, free skating is available in Ottawa, started by the Ottawa Senators Hockey Program every year.
The right time to ice skating in Ottawa is from January to the last week of February or the first week of March. The skating rinks are open 24 hours for the skaters.
Rideau Canal is the river on which the Ottawa outdoor skating is allowed. It is the world’s largest rink for skating, with a length of 7.8 kilometres.
About 250 Ottawa outdoor skating rinks are available. This ranges from small rinks without boards to full rinks with boards all around.
Coaches, program assistants, and volunteers must furnish their COVID-19 vaccination certificate for this ice skate park canal. Also, skaters and coaches must wear a face mask during harness lessons for safety.
One can rent a pair of skates from any skating equipment store in Canada to go on ice skating in Ottawa’s Rideau Canal.
The cost of going skating in Rideau Canal is free. People can enjoy skating without paying any price, but they have to make their pair of skates and helmets to the place. Is public ice skating in Ottawa available?
When is the right time to skate in Ottawa?
On which river can one go for ice skating in Ottawa?
How many ice rinks are available in Ottawa?
Do I need a COVID-19 vaccination certificate for ice skating in Rideau Canal?
Where to Rent Skates for Rideau Canal Skating?
How much does it cost to skate on the Rideau Canal?
