OTTAWA -- A fresh blanket of snow that fell Thursday will create perfect conditions for skiing, cross-country skiing and tobogganing in Ottawa this weekend. Plus, the cold temperatures will create perfect skating conditions on outdoor rinks across the region.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec this weekend.

LACE UP THE SKATES

Ottawa's four outdoor refrigerated rinks are open for skating. The city says you must book a free 45-minute reservation for a skating time at www.ottawa.ca/skating.

Reservations will be required to skate at the following peak times:

City Hall Rink of Dreams, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily

Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink of Dreams, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. weekends, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. weekdays

Lansdowne Park Skating Court, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. weekends, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. weekdays

Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. weekends, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. weekdays

Ottawa's community outdoor rinks are also open, weather permitting. A maximum of 25 people can skate on the outdoor rinks at one time.

Rink of Dreams skaters

SLEDDING HILLS

The city of Ottawa's sledding hills are open for the season. Just a reminder, capacity in gathering areas is limited to 25 people at one time.

For a list of sledding hills in the City of Ottawa, visit https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/sports-fields-and-outdoor-recreation#sledding-hills-1

The National Capital Commission also operates sledding hills in Ottawa. https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/tobogganing-greenbelt

Tobogganing Ferguson Forest Kemptville

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, SNOWSHOEING, HIKING

The National Capital Commission invites you to get outdoors this winter.

"With over 450 km of trails for skiing, snowshoeing, snow biking, walking and hiking, hills for tobogganing and fire pits to warm up by, there's something for everyone to enjoy in our 'Winter Capital,'" says the NCC.

Check out the NCC's Winter Capital interactive map to find suggested routes. Visit: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/experience-your-winter-capital-ottawa-gatineau

A reminder that interprovincial travel is strongly discouraged. Residents are asked to remain on their respective sides of the Ottawa River as much as possible and to travel only for essential reasons.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by NCC-CCN (@ncc_ccn)

SKI SEASON

Camp Fortune is open. For more information, visit https://campfortune.com/en/

Mont Ste. Marie is open for the season. For hours of operation, visit www.montstemarie.com

Health officials in Ontario and Quebec ask residents to avoid non-essential travel out of the province during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ski hills in Ontario must remain closed during the COVID-19 lockdown.

THE NAC'S FRIDAYS AT THE FOURTH

The National Arts Centre invites you to enjoy Fridays at the Fourth live from Festival Hall in Calgary.

Enjoy a free livestream performance by Samantha Savage Smith Friday at 8 p.m.

For more information, visit https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/28055

WHAT IS OPERA?

The National Arts Centre hosts a virtual workshop on Sunday to prepare audiences for the concert Opera Candy: The Gourmet Adventure of Hansel and Gretel.

This workshop will introduce you to a very special instrument – the voice!

To purchase tickets, visit https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/27399

THE BURNS SUPPER

The Scottish Society of Ottawa invites you to celebrate the life and poetry of Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns.

The third annual Gala Burns Supper & Ceilidh is Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information, visit: https://ottscot.ca/sso-calendar/2020/11/4/zroq5rwk6ed3ya0nfk456w3iz6hxsg

SULTANS OF STRING

The Sultans of Strings host the "Best of the Sultans Livestream" on Saturday.

To get tickets, visit https://sultans-lockdown-smackdown.eventbrite.ca