Ottawa 
Sharpen your skates, and check out some of Ontario’s best ice skating trails this winter.
Outdoor skating rinks are dependent on the ice and weather conditions, so check before travelling.
**For the 2020-21 season, reservations are required due to COVID-19 at some rinks. **
**Update Jan 14: Outdoor Skating is allowed during Ontario’s stay-at-home order.
London has closed Storybook Garden Trail effective Jan 14th, but Brampton’s trails and rinks will remain open. Toronto has not announced a decision.
Outdoor trails in Ottawa are open. National Capital Commission has confirmed that they are proceeding with preparations for the safe opening of the Rideau Canal Skateway.
Cranberry Marsh Ice Trail is open weather permitting.
Sudbury says Queen’s Athletic Skating Oval is open and Ramsey Lake Skating Path will open once weather conditions permit.
Ontario Parks also will keep the trails open, weather permitting.
Kindly check with your city to see whether outdoor skating is allowed.**
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1. Rideau Canal Skateway
Photo Credit: Ottawa Tourism
Explore 7.8 kilometers of natural ice surface stretching from the downtown Ottawa to Hartwells Locks.
Date: 2021 Date TBA (last year January 18, 2020)
Even after the skateway’s official opening, whether the skateway is actually open on a particular day depends on the weather. In 2018-19, skateway opened on Dec 30, 2018, and remained opened for a total of 71 days, and the number of skating days was 59. In contrast, the total number of operating days in 2015-16 was just 18 days.
Cost: Free Admission
Address: Downtown Ottawa to Hartwells Locks.
For outdoor winter activities in Ontario, see Things to Do During Winter in Ontario.
2. RiverOak Skating Trail
Skate through the 3km frozen pathway that winds through old-growth apple orchards, and meadows.
There are additional outdoor rinks and guests are allowed to use their sticks and pucks all throughout the trails.
Date: Open, Thursday to Sunday — weather permitting. Monday – Wednesday: Closed
Cost: Adult(16+): 13.50 + HST
Youth (6-16): $9 + HST
Senior(65+): $9 + HST
Address: RiverOak Estates, 2900 York’s Corners Road, Metcalfe — Ottawa
3. Countryside Adventures Skating Trail
Take a journey through the forest while you explore 3km skating trail, cross-country ski trail or snowshoe trail. Each trail is always perfectly maintained, sheltered from the wind and filled with beautiful scenery.
Dates: Open Daily through March, weather permitting.
Cost: 5 and Under: Free
Child (6 to 15 years): $8
Adults (16 years +): $12
Senior, Military: $8
Address: Countryside Adventures, 16495 Sixth Rd, 16495 Sixth Road, Moose Creek
4. The Township of Laurentian Valley Skating Trail
Located beside the Timberline Snowmobile Club, check out this 1.5 km skating trail through a scenic wooded area.
Date: January until Late March – Weather dependent. (Not open as of Jan 4, 2021. )
Cost: Free Admission
Address: 2 Henan Road, Pembroke
5. Peterborough Lift Lock Skating Trail
Credit: Parks Canada
Skate under the historic Lift Lock in Peterborough when the Trent-Severn Waterway freezes in winter.
Date: Winter Season, Ice conditions are monitored regularly and a flag indicates the status. (Not open as of Jan 4, 2021).
(As far we know the trail did not officially open in 2019-2020 season because of balmy weather.)
Cost: free
Address: Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site Visitor Centre, 2155 Ashburnham Dr, Peterborough
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6. Ontario Speed Skating Oval
This 400-metre track of well-maintained outdoor ice in Lakefield provides you with the opportunity to test your speed skating skills.
Date: Jan to March — Weather Dependent. Check website for current status. (Not open as of Jan 4, 2021).
Cost: Free
Address: Near Lakefield High School — Water Tower road, Lakefield.
7. Cranberry Marsh Ice Trail
Skate a fantastic 1.2 kilometre circuitsurrounded by a unique setting: 12 kilometres of cranberries! Stop by the waterfalls and warm up by the fire. Head back to the winery for hot mulled wine or hot cran-apple cider.
Date:Open for 2020 -21 Season.
Daily: 10 am to 5 pm
open 7 days/week (weather permitting)
Light the Night: Torchlight skating every Saturday night from mid Jan. (weather permitting)
Cost: Skate Pass – Adult (2 hrs): $12 to $18
Skate Pass – Kids 12 & under (2 hrs): $10 to $15
Address: Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery
1074 Cranberry Road, Bala
8. Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail
Credit: Explorers Edge
Enjoy this 1.3 km skating trailthat winds through the Muskoka forest. The trail is lit with hundreds of tiki torches during select nights.
Date: Not yet open as of Jan 4th for 2020-21 season. Once open | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Daily weather dependent.
Night skating is closed for 2020-21 season due to COVID-19
Cost: Admission to provincial park. Skiing extra.
Address: Arrowhead Provincial Park — 7 km north of Huntsville
9. Discovery Harbour Skate Trail
Photo Credit: Discovery Harbour
Lace-up your skates and experience the magic of skating along the unique 1.5 km skate trail at Discovery Harbour, nestled along the shores of beautiful Penetanguishene Bay.
Date: January to March weather permitting, (Not open as of Jan 4, 2021).
Cost: Admission is $8.00 per person. Children 5 and under are FREE
Address: Discovery Harbour, 93 Jury Drive, Penetanguishene
10. MacGregor Point Ice Skating Trail
Summer campground loop of MacGregor Point Provincial park turns into a 400 metre skating trail in winter. This meandering trail through the trees is lit at night for an enchanting outdoor skate.
Date: Once open Dawn to Dusk. Check status Here. (Not yet open for 2020 – 2021 season as of Jan 4, 2021)
Cost: Provincial Park admission
Address: MacGregor Point Provincial Park, 1593 Bruce Road 33
Port Elgin
11. Memorial Park Winter Village Skating Trail
Opened in January 2016, the Memorial Park Winter Village skating trail wraps around the park.
Date: Usually opens mid-January Check Facebook for updates. (Not open as of Jan 4, 2021.)
Cost: Free
Address: Memorial Park, Manitoba St & Kimberly Ave, Bracebridge
12. Simcoe County Museum Skating Trail
Cruise along this 1 kilometer skating trailthat takes you along along the museum’s heritage buildings and wooded surroundings.
Date: Opening date for 2021 Season – (Not open as of Jan 4, 2021.)
Once open: The Skating Trail will be open in the evenings on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Cost: $10
Address: 1151 Highway 26, Minesing
13. Bentway Skating Trail
The Bentway is a unique and innovative public space that transforms 1.75km underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway. On Thursdays 2018-2019, there will free skate rentals from 5-9pm and free drop-in skating lessons courtesy of The West Toronto Skating Club. Skaters 19+ can cozy up with Kahlúa and enjoy complimentary samples with coffee or hot chocolate on Saturday evenings.
Date: December 18, 2020 to Mid February
Cost: Free
Address: Under the Gardiner, stretching from Strachan Avenue to Bathurst Street, Toronto
14. Colonel Samuel Smith Park Skating Trail
Credit: City of Toronto
The figure of eight ice skating trail at Colonel Samuel Smith Park is City of Toronto’s first ice skating trail.
Date: Open Through March Break — Weather dependent
Cost: Free
Address: Colonel Samuel Smith Park, 3145 Lake Shore Blvd, Etobicoke — Toronto
15. Richmond Hill Green Skating Trail
Richmond Greens. Photo Credit: Town of Richmond Hill
Richmond Green Skating Trail is a 250 metre trail through the park located next to Tom Graham Arena. It is also lit for evening/night skating.
Dates: Open for 2021-21. December to March | 10 AM. and 10 PM. (weather permitting). Call 905-771-5490 for current status.
Cost: Free
Address: 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill
16. Gage Park Skating Trail
Credit: City of Brampton
Go for a night skate through the trees of this famous parklocated in downtown Brampton.
Date: Open for 2020-21 season. Open Through March.
Monday to Sunday, 10 AM– 10 PM
Extended hours from December 21 – January 5, 9 AM – 11 PM(weather permitting). Check website or call 905.874.2820 for status.
Cost: Free
Address: Gage Park, Main St. S. and Wellington St. W. in Downtown Brampton
17. Island Lake Ice Skating Trail
A 1 km skating trail is maintained on the main Lake of the Island Lake Conservation Park when the Lake freezes in the thick of winter.
Date: Not open for 2020-2021 season as of Jan 4, 2021. When open: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ph: 519-941-6329
Cost: Island Lake Conservation Area, 673067 Hurontario Street South, Orangeville
Cost:Adults: $5.75
Children (6-14): $2.65
Senior (60 and over): $4.43
18. Storybook Gardens Winter Skating Trail
Storybook Gardens
The Storybook Gardens outdoor winter skating trail is 250-metre long and winds through the beautiful grounds of Storybook Gardens and offers a unique skating experience.
Date: Open until Mid March, 2021 (Closed effective January 14th due to stay-at-home orders.)
Cost: Storybook Gardens, 1958 Storybook Lane, London
Cost: $3.00 per person.
19. Blue Mountain Ice Skating Trail
Photo Credit: Blue Mountain
Cruise on the 1.1km ice skating loopwhile enjoying extraordinary views along the Niagara Escarpment. Located at the top of the mountain between Orchard Express and Southern Comfort. Skating Trail is lit during evening operating hours, weather and conditions permitting.
Dates: Open Daily during winter season starting January 11, 2021, weather and conditions permitting.
Cost: Adult: $17 to $19 for two hours
Youth: $16 to$19 for two hours
Address: 108 Jozo Weider Blvd, Blue Mountains
20. Fern Resort Skating Trail
There are quite a few resorts in Ontario that feature ice skating trails of varying lengths. But the Fern Resort features a 1.5km long skating trail that you can explore in addition to other winter activities like snowshoeing, curling on the lake, ice fishing, cross country skiing, Crokicurl, outdoor hockey and more.
Dates: winter season — weather dependent.
Cost: Various Hotel Packages
Address: Fern Resort
4432 Fern Resort Road, Ramara
21. Hanna Park Skating Trail
Credt: Hanna Park Skating Trail
Dates: winter season — weather dependent. Usually from early January. Not open as of Jan 4 2021.
Cost: Free
Address: Bailey St, Port Carling
22. The Ice Ribbon Skating Path
Credit: The Ice Ribbon Skating Path
Located in the Town of South River, this 400-meter skating path was created after thirty volunteers contributed over 200 hours of collective effort. The skating path opened during the 2019 winter season.
Dates: Not opening for 2020-21 season due to COVID-19.
Address: Tom Thomson Park, South River
Cost: Free but $2 donation encouraged
23. Ramsey Lake Skating Path
Explore Sudbury’s glorious Ramsey Lake via the 1.5 km long skating path that runs from Science North and the Northern Water Sports Centre along the edge of Bell Park to the foot of Elizabeth Street. Heated changing facilities and washrooms are available at the Elizabeth Street and Science North entrances.
Dates: Usually opens Mid to Late January and closes early March, Not open as of Jan 4, 2021
Address: McNaughton Terrace to Science North, Ramsey Lake, Sudbury; Parking: 506 Elizabeth St and 100 Ramsey Lake Rd
Cost: Free
24. Nina’s Way Skating Path
Skate along the 1.3 km skating path that winds through the beautiful birch trees of Sudbury’s Kivi Park. You can also enjoy an evening skate when the path is lit with LED lights for an evening skate. You can warm up by the fire at the outdoor lounge. Kivi Park has a variety of activities inluding a wide network of trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing.
Dates: Usually opens Early January and closes early March (Not open as of Jan 4, 2021)
Address: 4420 Long Lake Rd, Sudbury
Cost: Day Pass: $9
25. Clergue Park Skating Trail
Clergue Park Skate Trail winds through Sault Ste. Marie’s waterfront offering fabulous views of the St Mary’s River. You will also get to enjoy Elsie Savoie Sculpture Park.
Dates: Open for 2020-21 season, Weekdays – noon to 10 p.m.
Weekends – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Address: Clergue Park (Bay Street), Sault Ste. Marie
Cost: Free
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