Rideau Canal Skateway Wraps Up 56th Season on March 4

Published by To Do Canada On March 4, 2026

The season is coming to a close for one of Ottawa’s most recognizable winter attractions.

Credit: National Capital Commission

The Rideau Canal Skateway is wrapping up its winter season after drawing more than one million visits since opening on December 31.

The National Capital Commission (NCC) says the skateway will close its 56th season on Wednesday, March 4, at 10 p.m., after 56 days of operation.

Throughout the winter, crews worked behind the scenes to keep the ice safe for visitors. Maintenance teams and contractors often carried out overnight work and dealt with challenging weather to maintain the skating surface. Their efforts helped preserve strong ice conditions for the many people who used the route during the season.

The Rideau Canal Skateway forms part of the historic Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each winter, visitors use a 7.8-kilometre stretch that runs from downtown Ottawa to Hartwells Locks. The frozen surface covers about 223,400 square metres, roughly equivalent to more than 140 National Hockey League rinks or over 122 Olympic-sized hockey rinks.