It stayed open only 41 days, barely outlasted Winterlude, and is now too slushy for skaters. The Rideau Canal has closed for the year due to unsafe weather conditions, the National Capital Commission announced.
"Heavy snowfall, rain and above seasonal temperatures over the last three days have weakened the ice to the point that it is unrealistic to expect the skating season to resume," the commission stated in a release.
The outdoor skating rink, which usually opens in late December to skaters, remained close until early January due to unseasonably warm temperatures.
Barely after the full length opened, it was abruptly closed again for several days as unsafe skating conditions persisted. Just before Winterlude, the entire length was made available to skaters.
The Rideau Canal was in its 40th season of skating and is billed as the world's largest natural skating rink, at 7.8 km.
