Here's where to go ice skating in Ottawa this winter
![First skate in almost two years People skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway on its opening day in Ottawa, on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Skaters flocked to the ice, one year after warm and wet weather prevented the 7.8 kilometre skateway from opening for its 2023 season. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/1/21/first-skate-in-almost-two-years-1-6735840-1705865964324.jpg)
With the frosty winter season in full swing, CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at some of the places in the Ottawa-Gatineau region open for ice skating.
Rideau Canal Skateway
The world-famous skateway opened for skaters for the first time in two years on Jan. 21.
You can check what parts of the world's largest skating rink are open and the ice quality on the skateway's website.
BeaverTails will be open along the skateway, but skate rentals are currently unavailable. The NCC is asking skaters to be mindful of teams still working on the ice.
People skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway on its opening day in Ottawa, on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Skaters flocked to the ice, one year after warm and wet weather prevented the 7.8 kilometre skateway from opening for its 2023 season. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m to 10 p.m.
Players hit the ice at the Jim Tubman Chevrolet Sens Rink in Ottawa (Jeremie Charron/CTV News Ottawa)Lansdowne Park skating court
Daily, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
A skater skates in front of lights adorning the trees at the Lansdowne Skating Court in Ottawa, on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. The site was intended to be the venue for the Ottawa Christmas Market, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)Rink of Dreams
Monday, 9 a.m to 11 p.m.
Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Thursday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Skaters on the ice at the Rink of Dreams outside Ottawa City Hall. March 18, 2023. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)
Ben Franklin Place skating rink
Daily, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Rideau Hall
The rink in front of Rideau Hall dates back to 1872 and is welcoming the public back this winter.
Public skating is available between Jan. 13 and March 3.
The rink is open Monday through Friday, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Last entry is 7:45 p.m.
The rink will be closed on Friday, Jan. 26 and Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Icelynd Skating Trails
Icelynd Skating Trails in Stittsville offers a unique two kilometre skating path through a forest and an outdoor rink.
Icelynd will be open in the evenings and illuminated by charming twinkling white string lights throughout.
All tickets must be purchased in advance and no rentals are available.
Open Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Skate through an apple orchard
Skate on a 3 kilometre trail through an apple orchard at River Oak Estate in Metcalfe. Skating is available during the day and at night.
Open Thursdays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Single day passes are $19.00 for adults and $15 for youth. Family day tickets and season passes are also available.
Lac-des-Loups skating trail
Open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset.
Located in Lac-des-Loups, Que., about 60 kilometres North of Ottawa.
Day passes $18 for adults, $14 for kids and free for children 5 and under.
Skate rentals are available for an additional $10.
Levi McGibney enjoys an afternoon of skating through the forest trail of Patinage en Forêt. Jan. 4, 2022. Lac-Des-Loups, Que. (Tyler Fleming / CTV News Ottawa)
Located a 45-minute drive east of Ottawa, it offers a 3 kilometre trail that twists through a woodsy natural setting. Skate and snowshoe rentals are available.
The trail is open 7 days a week. Reservations can be made online but is not required.
Enjoy more than 5 kilometres of an icy path on the Touraine Golf Club just 25 minutes from downtown Ottawa and 15 minutes from Gatineau.
Open everyday starting Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Pay at the door or book online.
The Beckwith Skating Trail is a 1 km loop at Beckwith Park behind the Beckwith Recreation Complex on Beckwith 9th Line, about 50 km southwest of downtown Ottawa.
The free Skating Trail is conducive to outdoor conditions, which vary.
The City of Ottawa also maintains a large number of outdoor ice rinks throughout the region. An interactive map is available on the city's website.
Ottawa’s outdoor rink season depends on the weather. Traditionally, the outdoor rink season runs from mid- to late-December until mid-February.
Outdoor rinks are operated by local community volunteers through a service agreement with the city.
All city outdoor rinks are free to use and close at 11 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.