Getting the best of Edmonton in the winter means sharpening your skates!
Credit: City of Edmonton
Alberta Capital Region offers so many options for hitting the ice and so many different types of ice to hit: try out the city’s new Iceways, one of the many frozen ponds (ice needs to be atleat 15 cm thick for safe skating), or pick up a game of shinny at one of the maintained community league rinks.
Here are 15 of the best outdoor skating trails in and around Edmonton to get you started.
Want to know the best part about rinks and iceways? They’re all free.
Victoria Trail Iceway
The Loop begins at the park’s skating oval, where you enter the forest under a colourfully lit archway of trees. This picture-perfect iceway creates a large loop with views of the Ledge and the river valley, as well as ample parking. Details
Address: 12030 River Valley Road, Edmonton
Rundle Park Iceway
The Iceway is in the Family Centre parking lot and winds for 2km around where the paved paths would normally be. Skate along scenic river valley spots or take in a game of shinny in the wider areas of the rink. Rundle Park can offer a full day of winter fun with the long iceway, adjacent river valley paths, and plenty of photo opportunities. Details
Address: 2909 113 Ave NW, Edmonton
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park
In Edmonton’s west end, Laurier Park, named after Canada’s eighth Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, offers a delightful riverside escape. Stretching from Whitemud Drive to Buena Vista Drive, it’s a haven with picnic spots and natural playgrounds, inviting visitors to relish its new skating surface.
You can even rent ice bikes for a new way to explore the massive rink.
Address: 13221 Buena Vista Road
The Meadows Community Rec Centre
Located in the southeast corner of the city, the new Meadows Rec Centre offers a large space for leisurely skating. The indoor rinks inside is home to hockey players and figure skaters, but on their outdoor rink, you can skate loops and paths with the Rec Centre next door for convenient warm up. Details
Address: 2704 17 St NW, Edmonton
Jackie Parker Park
This skating pond is adjacent to the popular Millwoods Dog Park and Golf Course, though your pups are not permitted off-leash on this side of the park. The park provides a lace-up and warm-up area, ample parking, and plenty to explore around the pond after your skate.
Address: 4540 50 St. NW, Edmonton
City Hall
Skate under the colourful holiday lights of Sir Winston Churchill Square in Edmonton’s downtown core. It is a magical skating experience under Christmas lights, skyscrapers, and the iconic City Hall pyramid. Surrounding City Hall is a huge selection of local cafes and restaurants for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate!
Address: 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Castle Downs Park
This northside park is a massive skating and ice leisure area next to a toboggan hill and playground. This free park makes for a great family day, where you can spend hours playing in the snow and on the ice.
Address: 11510 153 Avenue, Edmonton
Broadmoor Lake Park
Enter the Sin Bin Iceway! This shared iceway is in the heart of the Sherwood Park community, just east of Edmonton. They provide heated changing/lacing stations, and the smooth ice is perfect for any skill level or age. Details
Address: 20 Festival Way, Sherwood Park
Hours: open daily from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Weather permitting.
South Cooking Lake Iceway
Enjoy this long iceway through the wilderness just south of Edmonton. Keep your eyes peeled for deer and moose while you’re out here! This unique skating experience is a great way to escape the city in the coldest months, and Cooking Lake offers a well-heated shelter for lacing up.
Address: 100, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road, Strathcona County
Hours: open daily from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Weather permitting. Outdoor rinks are not open when temperatures are warmer than 5°C or below -20°C.
Cowan Skating Pathway
This wide and expansive skating trail is surrounded by tall trees and shrubs and is a beautiful natural skating experience with the pathway and a snow-banked hockey rink. The iceway is located next to the Emerald Hills Leisure Centre. Details
Address: 4501 Emerald Drive, Sherwood Park
Hours: open daily from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Weather permitting. Outdoor rinks are not open when temperatures are warmer than 5°C or below -20°C.
‘Round Astotin Lake – Elk Island National Park
Credit: Parks Canada
Just east of Edmonton you can skate under the stars of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve: Elk Island Park offers social skating on Astotin Lake, where you can glide around Archer Island or pick up a game of shinny on the rink near the shore. Close the day with a cozy fire at one of their many public fire pits. The park urges caution on the ice as this is an unsupervised rink. Please check the ice conditions before you head out. Details
Address: 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan
Cost: Admission to National Park applies; Skating is free.
Central Park Skating Oval
Credit: City of Spruce Grove.
This is a great place for beginners, and the ice is regularly maintained. Enjoy a peaceful or leisurely stroll through Spruce Grove’s Central Park with a path of holiday lights to illuminate your skate. Warm-up after your skate at the Lions Log Cabin Concession with a hot coffee or snack. Details
Address: 454 King St., Spruce Grove
Jubilee Park Skating Trail
This is Spruce Grove’s largest park, and in addition to a huge skating trail, it also offers changing areas, washrooms, a toboggan hill for more winter fun, and a playground. The skating trail winds through the entire park past picnic benches, and plenty of rest and photo stops. Details
Address: 510 Grove Dr. W., Spruce Grove
Alberta Legislature Grounds
In the summer, this area is home to lawn bowling. But in the winter, the south grounds of Alberta’s Legislature are converted into a winter wonderland. Skate among the whimsical holiday lights overlooking the North Saskatchewan River, and take a walk after your skate to check out the lights on the north grounds: equally as beautiful!
Address: 10800 97 Ave NW, Edmonton
Lion’s Park Rink
This centrally located park in St. Albert offers maintained ice, heating changing shacks, and amazing river valley views. And with the park’s central location, you are just a short walk away from local coffee shops, restaurants, and more. Details
Address: 21 Sir Winston Churchill Ave, St. Albert
Lacombe Lake Park
With access to St. Albert’s Red Willow Trail and home to the annual Fire and Ice Festival hosted during Family Day weekend, the Lacombe Lake Park rink is the perfect place to skate among snowy surroundings. Details
Address: 151 McKenney Ave, St. Albert
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park is a perfect winter escape with scenic snow-covered landscapes and extensive amenities. Enjoy 12 km of groomed ski trails by the Nordic Ski Club and relax at the Village’s restaurants and cafes, like Eco Café.
The park offers powered winter campsites and the unique 8 km Pigeon Lake Skateway with winding ice trails for skating and hockey rinks. This impressive iceway surpasses typical 1-2 km trails, offering a delightful recreational experience in Alberta’s winter wonderland.
Address: Between Leduc County and Wetaskiwin