One of my favourite things to do in winter is skate in Ottawa. We’re so lucky to have some many wonderful rinks and unique spots to skate in Ottawa. From a magical forest path, beside a brewery, or a rink that’s world-famous, it’s time to lace up your skates and make sure you get to these rinks this winter:
Make sure to check the rink conditions before going in case they’ve been impacted by weather 🙂
Unique Skating Experiences
Skate Through A Forest At Icelynd
Head to Icelynd Skating Trails, Ottawa’s newest skating adventure. Enjoy skating through the trees and an ODR. Go at night to enjoy the path lined with lights. Make sure to purchase a pass in advance.
- Address: 6865 Fernbank Road, Stittsville
- Hours: Thursday 4-9pm, Friday 2-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-7pm (Get 25% off on Thursdays with code WINTERSALE online)
- Cost: $19 Adult, $14 Child/Senior, Ice Rink can be booked at an hourly rate
- Skate Rentals: bring your own skates
Skate Through An Apple Orchard At RiverOak Estates Skating Trail
Skate in Ottawa on a 3km trail through an apple orchard at RiverOak Estate. You can skate there day or night. I bet it would be a magical experience skating through the trail at night under the stars. The trail is partially lit so they recommend bringing a headlamp. Turn off your headlamp part way through and you’ll be able to see a sky full of stars. Warm up after your skate at one of the bonfires. Dogs are welcome.
- Address: 2900 York’s Corners Rd, Metcalfe
- Hours: Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri 11 am-8 pm, Sat 9 am-8 pm, Sun 9 am-6 pm
- Cost: single day ($19/adult and $15 youth), family passes, 3 day and season passes also available
- Skate Rentals: bring your own skates
Skate Through A Forest At Patinage En Forets
Skate in Ottawa through a 3km trail through the trees at Patinage En Forets. This is a magical spot to skate as you glide through the trees. You’ll find this trail beside Gatineau Park, 45 minutes from Ottawa. After your skate, warm-up at their outdoor fireplace with a hot beverage. They also have special dates you can skate at night with lit torches lighting the path. Make sure to buy passes in advance.
- Address: 9 Mnt Beausoleil, Lac-des-Loups
- Hours: 9 am to dusk
- Cost:
- Adults: $18/day, $114/season
- Children (6 to 17): $14/day, $89/season
- Children (5 and under): free
- Skate Rentals: $10, limited available
Make it a staycation and stay at Hillhaus Domes nearby. These scenic domes are the perfect spot to cozy up after your adventure.
Skate Through A Forest at Countryside Adventures
The great thing about Countryside Adventures is that you can skate, snowshoe or cross country ski through their different paths. Immerse yourself in nature and admire some beautiful views of the trees along the way. They also have also added a tubing hill this year. You’ll find them 30 minutes from Cornwall, 45 minutes from Ottawa, or 90 minutes from Montreal. After your activity, warm up by the fire and grab a bite at the on-site food truck. Fridnly dogs are welcome but they must remain on a leash and be cleaned up after.
- Address: 16495 Sixth Rd, Moose Creek, ON
- Hours: Mon-Wed 10 am-10 pm, Thurs – Sat 10 am to 10 pm, Sun 10 am to dark
- Cost for Skating
- Adults: $12/day, $50/season
- Children (6 to 15): $8/day, $35/season
- Children (5 and under): free
- Senior/Military: $8/day, $35/season
- Reserve your tickets for skating here
- Skate Rentals: $10, limited available
Skate in Ottawa’s Largest Rink on the Rideau Canal
The most famous spot to skate in Ottawa is the Rideau Canal! Skating here is a winter essential. The Rideau Canal stretches 7.8km from downtown Ottawa to Dow’s Lake. See how far you can get and stop midway and refuel with a Beavertail at one of their canal locations. Currently open: Full 7.8km starting January 14th at 8 am
- Cost: Free, keep posted on when it opens and ice conditions here.
- Rentals: Multiple spots along the canal including the start of the canal at downtown Ottawa, Fifth Avenue rest area, Dow’s Lake
Skate Beside at Brewery Creek
Skate in Gatineau at Brewery Creek. This skating rink opens in January (weather permitting) and is 400m long. You’ll be nearby lots of wonderful restaurants like Soif!
Skate Through A Forest At Laurentian Valley Trail in the Ottawa Valley
Glide through the trees on this 1.5km skating trail on Laurentian Valley Skating Trail. You’ll find this trail near Pembroke. Check out this post for some things to do while you’re in Pembroke. Visit during the day or join one of their night skates to see the trail illuminated with lights. You can also enjoy a 2km snowshoe trail that follows alongside the Skating Trail.
- Address: 2 Henan Road, Pembroke
- Hours: Daily 10am-4pm, Night Skates Thursdays and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm
- Cost: Free, donations welcome
- Bring your own skates
Skate at Historic Rideau Hall
Did you know the skating rink in front of Rideau Hall was originally built in 1872? Canada’s third Governor General and h
- Address: 1 Sussex Dr, Ottawa
- Hours: Open daily, for a 1.5 hour timeslot between 10 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., by reservation only. Timeslots are available at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. or 6 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Bring your own skates
Refrigerated Rinks
Since the ice is refrigerated, no matter the conditions, you’ll be able to skate in Ottawa.
Rink of Dreams
Skate in Ottawa at the Rink of Dreams in front of City Hall. This rink is refrigerated so you can depend on it to be open and nice smooth ice. Grab a beavertail while you’re there and enjoy skating in the middle of downtown. This is a great spot to head on your lunch break.
- Hours: 6am-11 pm daily
- Cost: Free
- Skate Rentals: skate rentals and skate sharpening on location
Lansdowne
You’ll find a rink at Lansdowne at 450 Queen Elizabeth behind Aberdeen Pavillion. Head to a local restaurant to warm up afterward.
- Hours: 6 am-11 pm
- Cost: Free
- Bring your own skates
Benjamin Franklin Place
- 101 Centrepoint Drive
- Hours: Daily 7 am-11 pm (weather permitting)
- Cost: Free
- Bring your own skates
Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink
- Location: Canterbury
- Hours: 8am to 10pm weekdays, 10am to 10pm weekends
- Cost: Free
- Bring your own skates
You can get a full list of the City of Ottawa Rink’s here.
Looking for more winter ideas? Check out this winter bucketlist.
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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