Best Places to Enjoy Ice Skating Near Ottawa
No Canadian winter is complete without lacing up a pair of skates and gliding through the crisp winter air on an outdoor ice-skating rink. As Canada’s capital, Ottawa has tons of great ice-skating options whether you’re a beginner learning the basics, to seasoned skaters with turns, jumps and spins under your belt. From vibrant outdoor urban rinks and magical skating trails through the forest, to the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world, Ottawa is the perfect destination to carve out a picture-perfect winter moment. Enjoy the winter season on two blades with our guide to the best places to ice skate in Ottawa.
Ottawa Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks
Rideau Canal Skateway
Every winter the Rideau Canal transforms into the largest outdoor skating rink in the world stretching a wonderous 7.8 km. The Rideau Canal Skateway is used for recreational skating, but also as a transportation hub, where residents and students can be seen gliding their way to work and school. During Ottawa’s annual Winterlude festival, the Rideau Canal Skateway becomes a hub of activity, as winter worshippers hit the ice to revel in numerous events being held on the ice including the Ottawa Ice Dragonboat festival.
Check out our full Guide to skating the Rideau Canal Skateway
Ice conditions: Weather dependent, not refrigerated
Hours: 24 hours/day
Cost: Free
Hockey sticks/pucks: not permitted
Rideau Hall Ice Rink
The Rideau Hall Ice Rink is perhaps the most historic rink in the city, and definitely a must on the Ottawa skating bucket list. Located at the residence of the Governor General of Canada, this historic rink dates back to the 1872, and has hosted generations of skaters in the capital region for over 150 years. The rink also has important roots for women’s hockey, where the first ever image of women playing hockey was taken in the early 1890’s. Be part of history and take a spin on the Governor General’s iconic backyard rink, where generations of Canadians have enjoyed skating during the beautiful Canadian winter.
Ice conditions: Weather dependent, not refrigerated
Hours: January 13 to March 3, 2024
Monday – Friday, 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Last entry at 7:45 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Last entry at 7:45 p.m.
Family Day, Monday February 19 12:00 p.m. - 8:30 pm. Last entry at 7:45 p.m
Cost: Free
Ruisseau de la Brasserie
Just west of the historic section of downtown Gatineau, Quebec, Ruisseau de la Brasserie is a wonderful 400-metre-long outdoor rink only minutes away from downtown Ottawa. Similar to the Rideau Canal, the Ruisseau de la Brasserie rink is weather dependent, however with its smaller size, the rink can often be open when the Rideau Canal Skateway is closed. Skate rentals are available onsite, and the rink is only steps away from great local restaurants for an “après skate”.
Ice conditions: Weather dependent, not refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: Monday to Friday 4:30 pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am- 10pm
Cost: Free
Sens Rink of Dreams
A beautiful and vibrant rink located at Ottawa City Hall, the Sens Rink of Dreams is one of the best places to skate in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The 12,500-square-foot rink is open from December through March, and with its refrigerated ice surface it provides a great place to skate regardless of weather conditions. Picnic tables are located rink side for lacing up, and there is a convenient Beavertail stand for a mid-skate snack or hot chocolate to warm up. Night skating is especially magical, as the rink is lit in a rainbow of colours and music keeps the energy flowing into the evening hours.
Ice conditions: Refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 9 am to 11 pm, Tuesday, Thursday 7 am to 11 pm
Cost: Free
Brewer Park Oval
Well known by the local community, the Brewer Park Oval is a unique Olympic-sized outdoor skating oval located just across from Carleton University. The lit, 400 m oval is maintained by local speed skating clubs, and is designed to provide the best outdoor surface for long blade speed skaters. Recreational skaters are also welcome, while occasionally the oval is partitioned to allow a separate track for speed skaters.
Ice conditions: Weather dependent, not refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: Open 24/7
Cost: Free
Lansdowne Skating Court
Go for a skate with the historic Aberdeen Pavilion as a picture-perfect backdrop at the Lansdowne Skating Court at Lansdown Park. Surrounded by one of the city’s most popular shopping and dining locations in the beautiful neighbourhood of the Glebe, the Skating is a refrigerated surface, open from December to mid-March. The rink is popular in December when the Ottawa Christmas Market takes place, just steps from the rink, and during the Sunday winter Farmers’ Markets. There is a trailer onsite (open evenings and weekends) to switch your boots to skates, and washrooms are available in the Aberdeen pavilion during the day.
Ice conditions: Refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: December to mid-March, 7am-11pm
Cost: Free
Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink
Only 20 minutes south east of downtown Ottawa, the Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink is a covered outdoor rink, located at the Canterbury Recreation Complex. The ice surface is refrigerated, and is unique with its high roof, making it feel like you’re skating in a wall-less indoor arena. Parking is free and there are washrooms located nearby.
Ice conditions: Refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: weekdays, 8am-10pm, weekends 10am-10pm
Cost: Free
Ice Skating Trails Near Ottawa
Patinage en Forêt
Only 45 minutes north of downtown Ottawa, Patinage en Forêt is a beautiful forest skating trail in Lac des Loups, Quebec. Lined with picturesque pine trees, the 3km long loop creates a magical skating experience, like something out of a fairy tale. Birdfeeders dot the winter landscape along the trail and rustic wooden benches, provide the perfect rest spot to enjoy the pristine winter wilderness. Skate rentals and changing facilities are available in the cozy main chalet, and there are also snowshoe and walking paths available for those who perfect to stay on land.
Ice conditions: Weather dependent, not refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: Open daily, 9am-sunset
Cost: Adult day pass $18
River Oak Skating Trail
If you’re looking for a fun skating trail where you can stroke through frozen meadows and forest, head to River Oak Skating Trail, only 30 minutes south-east of downtown Ottawa. Set on an old apple orchard, the 3-kilometre-long picturesque skating trail is full of twists, turns and hills, but is also beginner friendly. River Oak is also one of the only skating trails that is hockey-friendly, allowing hockey stick, pucks and ringette gear on the ice surfaces. There are even mini side rinks and open areas along the way to allow for impromptu games of shiny, or to practice your camel spin. There are snowshoeing and hiking trails available for non-skaters and a cozy barn to warm up in after a day on the trails. Dogs and strollers are also allowed and skate, helmets and snowshoes are available for rent.
Ice conditions: Weather dependent, not refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: Thursday-Sunday, hours vary based on ice conditions
Cost: Adult day pass $19
Icelynd Skating Trails
Co-owned by former Ottawa Senators hockey player Chris Neil, the Icelynd Skating Trails wind their way through close to 100 acres of magical woods. The 2km of natural ice trails are open illuminated by twinkle lights and solar lights in the evening hours, making it perfect for a night skate. For those who love a stick and puck, there are also two outdoor rinks available for rent, including a full-sized NHL rink which was taken directly from the Canadian Tire Centre; home to the Ottawa Senators. Bonfire pits are available for rent, reserving a private space for your group to warm up after a day on the ice.
Ice conditions: Weather dependent, not refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: Thursday-Sunday, hours vary based on ice conditions
Cost: Adult day pass $18
Countryside Adventures
The ultimate winter destination, Countryside Adventures is a family-owned business located in Moose Creek Ontario, a 45-minute drive east of downtown Ottawa. This popular family-friendly spot offers a cool 3km skating trail which twists and turns it’s way through a lovely deciduous forest. Along with the skating trail Countryside Adventures also has an epic snowtubing hill, as well as numerous snowshoeing trails, a petting zoo, and food truck, allowing you to spend a full day enjoying the beauty of the outdoor winter season. Dogs and strollers are permitted, and rentals are available onsite.
Ice conditions: Weather dependent, not refrigerated
Opening dates and hours: Sunday-Wed, 10am-8pm, Thurs-Saturday 10am-10pm
Cost: Adult day pass $17
