Everything You Need to Know to Start Skating at the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa
I remember lacing up my first skates in 8th grade before proceeding to faceplant into the cold, hard, and unforgiving ice.
But while some lessons are indeed painful, this one didn’t deter me one bit from improving and eventually being ready for the mother of all skating rinks, the Rideau Canal Skateway.
Whether you’re a big boy who wants to experience what a marathon on skates feels like or just a simple tourist exploring the winter capital, you’ll be glad to hear the rink is for everyone (no matter how intimidating its size is).
Having said that, you’ll have to come fully prepared when tackling the biggest ice skating rink in the world, and here’s how to do it!
What is the Rideau Canal Skateway?
The Rideau Canal Skateway is a naturally freezing outdoor ice skating rink that spans 7.8 kilometers along the capital city of Ottawa, Canada.
If you’re stopping by Ottawa in the winter season, then your itinerary wouldn’t be complete without including the Rideau Canal Skateway.
This UNESCO World Heritage site and important historical waterway turns into a fun outdoor activity when the entirety of the capital city is covered in white snow.
With a length of 7.8 kilometers and a width of 6 meters, the Rideau Canal Skateway has been named by the Guinness World Records as the largest naturally frozen ice skating rink in the world.
Where is the Rideau Canal Skateway?
The Rideau Canal Skateway’s location stretches from downtown Ottawa to the Hartwells Locks near Carleton University.
When is the Rideau Canal Skateway open?
The Rideau Canal Skateway typically opens between January and March, when the ice is at least 30cm thick. When open, the Skateway is accessible 24/7.
One important thing to know about the exact opening schedule of the Rideau Canal Skateway is that it’s entirely weather-dependent.
While the opening generally occurs between the winter months, the history of previous seasons reveals that it most commonly takes place between January and early March.
During these months, the weather conditions are cold enough (-10°C or lower) to form a layer of ice at least 30cm thick, which is the minimum required for the Skateway to open.
However, to have the best chance of the place being open, it’s recommended to go there in mid-February when it’s neither too early nor too late in the skating season.
Once the conditions are right and the Skateway opens up, it will be accessible to the public for 24 hours a day.
How to Get to the Rideau Canal Skateway
- By Car: If going by car, there are different parking lots located near the entrances. The Mackenzie King West entrance, for instance, has paid parking at the National Arts Centre and Ottawa City Hall.
- By Light Rail: Several O-Train stations are available at certain access points, such as the uOttawa station near the Somerset East access point. For a list of all the nearby stations, click here.
- By Bus: Many different bus lines pass by the Skateway entrances. Taking the OC Transpo line route 6 to Rideau Station, for example, gets you closest to the start of the Skateway (KM 0).
- On Foot: There are a total of 30 staircases and 5 universal access ramps along the Rideau Canal Skateway that are accessible on foot. Check out this interactive map for a list of all the staircases and access ramps.
Things to Do Along the Rideau Canal Skateway
Skate along the scenic 7.8km course
Media credit: rideaucanalskateway
The main appeal of the Rideau Canal Skateway is, of course, having a full 7.8 kilometers (4.8 miles) of rigorously maintained ice to skate on.
But while the Skateway is open 24/7 once the season starts, I found out the best time to go there for the most optimum ice conditions is the morning after a night of extreme cold.
This is because the surface would have been newly plowed and smoothed by the maintenance team overnight.
I personally used the NCC’s interactive map, which constantly gives updates as to which areas of the Skateway have the best ice conditions on a given day.
Still, you have the option to skate at night if conditions permit it. Last time I did, it gave me a picturesque view of the city lights as I went through the course.
Just be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp and watch out for snowplows when going out for an evening skate session. It’s better than trying to navigate through the pitch black in some areas, in my experience.
Who knows, you might even run into the “Froster”, the Rideau Canal Skateway’s Zamboni or ice resurfacer.
Take photos at hot spots and landmarks
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If you’d like to preserve your memories of your trip to the Rideau Canal Skateway, then there are some notable hot spots and landmarks where you can take photos with your family or friends.
One example would be the KM 0 and KM 7.8 signs, which mark the start and end of the Skateway. This is assuming you’ll be skating the whole entirety of it (or just take an Uber from one end to the other, nobody will know!).
There’s also the aesthetic and fantasy-like Fairmont Chateau Laurier, a big luxury hotel overlooking the Rideau Canal locks near KM 0.
Just opposite the Chateau Laurier is the equally stunning East Block Parliament building, a great piece of architecture that makes a gorgeous backdrop as you skate through the rink.
A couple of notable bridges that are popular for photo ops include the Pretoria Bridge at KM 2 and the Bank Street Bridge at KM 4.
Practice your skills at Patterson Creek
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If you’re not yet that confident on ice skates, then Patterson Creek is a nice and lovely spot for you to practice your skills without worrying about the main crowds at Rideau Canal Skateway.
The area is actually a small pond located underneath a footbridge before the KM 3 marker, and it’s great for beginners looking for a less populated place to skate.
Grab a bite at BeaverTails Pastry
Media credit: rideaucanalskateway
Making your way through the largest ice skating rink in the world, it’s understandable that you’ll eventually develop a rumbling in your tummy. This is the perfect opportunity to look for a BeaverTails kiosk.
BeaverTails’ signature pastry, in (you guessed it), beaver tail-shaped form, comes in many flavors like Classic Cinnamon and Bananarama. It added a bit more to my true Canadian experience with each bite.
You can spot one of its kiosks in either the Rideau, Concord, Fifth Avenue, or Bronson rest areas.
Other food and beverages are also available throughout the Skateway, such as Spring Chips, Dunrobin Distillery, Snack O’ Shack, and Guylaine Cafe.
Check out the Winterlude Festival
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One of the highlights of visiting the Rideau Canal Skateway for me is Winterlude, a winter festival in February that hosts many events and attracts thousands of tourists.
While Winterlude is celebrated in different places throughout Ottawa, the Skateway is its centre stage.
We’ve seen attractions like ice sculpture displays, snowman building competitions, and the Snowflake Kingdom amusement park alongside it.
Other than skating on the rink itself, we also got to enjoy live concerts and different cultural activities, and I suggest you do the same.
The Skateway is also part of the annual Winterlude triathlon, wherein contestants skate the whole 7.8km course before skiing for 6km and running for another 5km. Just seeing them fly by made me wish I were that good on ice.
Practical Tips for a Great Experience at Rideau Canal Skateway
What to Wear
Since you’ll obviously be exposed to really cold weather, you generally need to wear multiple layers of clothing before putting on your skates.
For the top, you can consider wearing a sweater or fleece underneath before covering with a jacket rated for winter, such as a parka or a puffer jacket.
As for the lower half, we suggest going for long johns as the base layer, then finishing up with snow pants to serve as the main protection against the cold elements.
We also highly recommend wearing winter gloves or mittens, two layers of socks, and a scarf or balaclava to add extra warmth to your gear.
Wearing a helmet, which can be rented at kiosks on the Skateway, also adds another layer of protection from the cold and the ground in case you fall.
How to Rent Skates and Equipment
If you don’t have your own skates, then don’t worry, as there are skate rentals available at some entrances of the skating rink.
There are two main locations to rent skates on the rink, one is at the Rideau rest area (KM 0), and the other is at the Fifth Avenue rest area (KM 3).
The rental kiosks at either area not only let you rent skates, but also other equipment such as helmets, sleds, and ice tricycles. You can even have your skates sharpened or your boots checked.
We recommend visiting the Capital Skates website for more info on all the available rentals, services, and pricing at Rideau Canal Skateway.
Where to Leave Your Belongings
If you plan to store belongings such as boots before you skate, then there are available storage cubbies at most of the access points on the Rideau Canal Skateway.
Do keep in mind, however, that these cubbies don’t have locks on them. While there are rarely any cases of boot theft in Ottawa, we still advise bringing important items with you.
This is why it’s encouraged to bring your own backpack to store your boots and other personal belongings.
Not only is it a more secure way of storage, but it also gives you instant access to your stuff if you ever decide to get off at a different access point on the Skateway.
But possibly the best tip we can offer is just to pack light so you don’t have to bring a backpack at all.
How to Stay Safe While Skating
Whether you’re a beginner on ice or even a seasoned figure skater, it’s important to keep safe as you traverse the naturally frozen surface of the Rideau Canal Skateway.
For starters, even if the Skateway is maintained every day it’s open, some cracks might still develop on the ice. Be sure to keep an eye out to avoid accidents.
It’s also recommended to avoid skating on the snow-covered edges, as this can cause you to lose balance and fall.
The Skateway uses a flag system that you should follow. A green flag means that the rink is open, while a red flag means that it’s closed.
A first aid trailer is located at the Fifth Avenue rest area, where trained skate patrollers are ready to respond anytime between 10 am to 9 pm (Monday-Thursday) and 9 am to 10 pm (Friday-Sunday).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does it cost money to skate on the Rideau Canal?
Skating on the Rideau Canal is free, but it’ll cost you money to rent some skis from one of the kiosks, just in case you don’t own one.
How long can you skate on the Rideau Canal?
The Rideau Canal Skateway is accessible 24/7 once it opens for the season. However, changing weather conditions may affect the opening of certain sections of the 7.8km course.
To be updated on the conditions of each section of the Skateway, be sure to view the Ice Conditions section of the NCC website.
Can you walk on the Rideau Canal Skateway?
You’re allowed to walk on the edges of the Rideau Canal Skateway. However, it’s safer to walk on the multi-use pathways located alongside the Rideau Canal in some areas.