by Lori Straus
Could you imagine winter in Ontario without skating? While most cities and towns will have both indoor and outdoor skating facilities, Ontario boasts some truly unique outdoor skating experiences. We’ve collected a few of them here for you that would make wonderful winter day trips or short family getaways.
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery Cranberry Ice Trail
Open from December 27–March Break, weather permitting, this trail is created on a frozen-over cranberry bog. Instead of getting dizzy doing circles on an indoor rink, you’ll do 1.2-km loops around cranberry fields, with gorgeous forests outlining the perimeter. Once you’re tuckered out, head over to the winery for hot mulled wine, cran-apple cider, or hot chocolate.
For you romantics looking to recreate a scene from a favourite Christmas movie, the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery Cranberry Ice Trail is also open Saturday nights (again, weather permitting), lit by 400 tiki torches. If that doesn’t say romance, we don’t know what does.
This skating trail is in Bala, about 20 km away from Georgian Bay to the west and 31 km away from Gravenhurst to the southeast.
Rideau Canal Skateway
What list of unique skating locations across Ontario would be complete without the 7.8-km long Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa? The canal itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest ice rink in the world. Moreover, Parks Canada employees can help you discover the myriad ways you can enjoy the canal.
While you’re in Ottawa, catch up on some Canadian history. The Laurier House National Historic Site, home to prime ministers Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King, is worth a visit. Or you could stay in any number of historical homes in the city.
The Rideau Canal Skateway usually runs from January to late February. Check online for up-to-date ice conditions.
Ontario’s Speed Skating Oval
Although not as long as the other two ice tracks we’ve talked about, Ontario’s Speed Skating Oval offers one opportunity the others don’t: renting speed skates. Don’t worry—you don’t need to wear Spandex suits! But have you ever wanted to try on those special skates with the extra-long blade and glide along the ice in long, smooth strokes? The general public can rent speed skates every Sunday from noon to 3PM.
But that’s not all this skating rink offers. Once a year in February, Ontario’s Speed Skating Oval celebrates Zamboni Day, where you get to drive the Zamboni.
These attractions definitely make the drive to Lakefield worth it.
Pack Those Skates!
Pack those skates in your car and head out for some outdoor winter fun in Ontario. Take your partner or the entire family and soak in the winter sun (but wear sunscreen) and inhale the crisp winter air at these outdoor skating facilities. Winter is a season to be celebrated, not shunned, and these ice skating destinations offer lots of fun for our cold season!