It’s the most wonderful time of the year – skating season, that is! With the weird and rainy weather, you may be worried about whether Toronto’s public outdoor skating rinks will still be up and running. While some of the rinks have temporarily closed down due to the weather, there are still plenty for you to enjoy.
The majority of city-run rinks opened on Nov. 26 and will remain open until March 19 next year, weather permitting. For now, the popular Nathan Phillips Square and the Bentway rinks remain open — but here are seven more rinks to check out for a fun winter skate this weekend. Check the city of Toronto website to see if your neighbourhood rink is available.
Greenwood outdoor ice rink
Skaters at this east end rink have not one, but two spots to glide across the ice. Choose from the city’s first covered outdoor artificial ice rink where the roof keeps rain and snow of the skating surface. The rink offers pleasure skating as well as shinny programs for both kids and adults. Beside the rink, ice skaters can also enjoy a 215-metre pleasure skating trail.
Outdoor rink at Union Station
One of the newer rinks in the city happens to be located at the Sir John A. Macdonald Plaza in front of Toronto’s busiest transit hub. This season, Union Station will once again be home to a free outdoor ice skating rink starting Nov. 28 as part of its annual “Union Holiday” celebrations. The sprawling skating spot on Front Street will be the largest free outdoor rink in Toronto and in addition to the rink being free to use, skate and helmet rentals are also free. You might want to register online for timed entry in advance to secure a spot! There will also be DJ skate nights on Fridays and Saturdays along with weekly free skating lessons on Tuesdays for those who are a little newer to the skating game.
Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail
Opened in 2019 in College Park and named after the Canadian figure skater Barbara Ann Scott who won gold at the 1948 Olympics (among many other accolades), the Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail features a five-metre-wide trail that loops through the downtown park (it’s also used as a walking trail in the warmer months). It’s also purportedly the first outdoor skating path in North America to use an eco-conscious technology in its refrigeration system that does not produce any net greenhouse gas emissions.
This year, Downtown Yonge BIA is hosting an opening party at the rink this month on Nov. 26, featuring a host, live DJ, on-ice dance performances, games and a lighting ceremony at sunset. We can guess the weather
The Paul Quarrington rink
Ice skating with a waterfront view? Say no more! The Paul Quarrington outdoor ice rink at Sherbourne Common is artificially controlled, meaning you don’t need to worry about unseasonably warm weather ruining your skating date. Enjoy views of both the city skyline and the water all season long.
Colonel Sam Smith Skating Trail
If your idea of skating involves being close to nature rather than in the middle of the city, you might want to check out this rink, running along a stretch of wooded shoreline in the Kipling and Lakeshore area. The expansive, 250-metre rink in Etobicoke designed in a figure-eight shape was actually Toronto’s first-ever skating trail and continues to offer a quieter place to enjoy a skate.
Dieppe Park
This seven-acre park has both an ice rink and skating trail and is a popular destination for both pros and beginners. The double-pad rink allows for non-stop public skate and features ample parking.
Mel Lastman Square
Found just outside North York Civic Centre just steps from North York Centre subway station, the skating rink at Mel Lastman Square is a favourite among families. The rink here doesn’t tend to get quite as busy as those found closer to downtown, and it offers a scenic place to skate. The 20,000 square foot park also offers an abundance of outdoor space for wintery walks and close proximity to amenities like coffee shops.
Evergreen Brick Works
The skating trail at Evergreen Brick Works is probably one of the prettiest places to skate outdoors in the city. The rink here weaves through snow-covered gardens (complete with twinkly lights come dusk) and under exposed beams from the roof of the old brick factory. There are usually lots of special events in the leadup to the holidays here and skate rentals and skate sharpening are available. The rink is usually open from December to March, weather permitting.