Ice skating is one of the most enjoyable activities you can do in the winter, especially if you live in Montreal. Known for its long and cold winters, Quebec’s major cultural and financial hub is one of the loveliest cities to be out and about.
While perhaps better known for its European architecture, eclectic bars, and variety of dining experiences, the city seldom gets looked at for its more outdoorsy and family-friendly side. Montreal is actually one of the best Canadian cities to bring your loved ones for a healthy dose of winter family fun, including ice skating.
In this article, you'll get to explore the best places to ice skate in Montreal, from bustling downtown locations to serene park settings. We will also explore some tips for interested skaters!
| Rink Name | Type | Location | Access Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esplanade Tranquille | Outdoor | 1442 Clark St, Quartier des Spectacles | Free |
| Beaver Lake (Mount Royal) | Outdoor | Mount Royal Park | Free |
| Parc La Fontaine | Outdoor | 4365 Sherbrooke E | Free |
| Atrium Le 1000 | Indoor | 1000 de la Gauchetière W | $12 |
| Parc Jean-Drapeau | Outdoor | Île Notre-Dame | Free |
❄️Top Ice Skating Rinks in Montreal
Let's get started with some of the best ice skating recommendation spots in the city.
⭐Esplanade Tranquille Skating Rink
Spanning 1,500 square meters, the Esplanade Tranquille Skating rink is the largest refrigerated rink in Montreal - capable of accommodating 400 people at a time. 1
Located in Montreal’s arts and cultural neighborhood, Quarter des Spectacles, the outdoor ice skating rink features multimedia projections and music, creating a festive atmosphere upon entrance.
Entry is FREE, and skates can be rented at the Patin Patin Counter. After skating, you can visit one of the nearby theatres, galleries, and cafes.
Address: 1442 Rue Clark, Quartier des Spectacles, Ville-Marie, Montréal
Operating hours: Sunday to Wednesday (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Thursday to Saturday (9 a.m. to 11 p.m. )
Amenities: Café, Picnic area, Toilets
⭐Beaver Lake Skating Rink (Mount Royal Park)
In contrast to the European backdrop of Old Montreal, the Parc Mont-Royal Skating Rink is situated in the heart of a wooded, natural area within Mont-Royal Park. This outdoor refrigerated rink is 2,500 meters long and features a smooth surface that is ideal for skaters of all skill levels.
Visit the rink during the winter season (December to March) and appreciate the natural beauty of the trees covered in snow.
Admission is FREE, so you only need to allocate your budget for the skate rental service, take a break on the pavilion, or enjoy a hot drink at Café des Amis. You can also explore other winter activities such as iinter activities such as sledding and snowshoeing.
Address: 2000 Chem. Remembrance, Montréal
Operating hours: Sunday to Thursday (9 a.m to 9 p.m.)
Friday to Saturday (9 a.m to 10 p.m)
Amenities: Paid parking on site, washrooms, wireless Internet
⭐Parc La Fontaine
A local favourite, Parc La Fontaine is made up of two uniquely shaped rinks surrounded by trees and illuminated with colourful lights. Skate to music and take a break in the chalet when you want to warm up.
The pond skating rink is also located in one of Montreal’s most trendy and charming neighbourhoods, so grab a snack or a coffee at a local bakery or browse the local shops.
Address: 3819 Av. Calixa-Lavallée, Montréal
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday (8 a.m. to 10 p.m)
Amenities: Changing-room, lockers, outdoor children's playground, paid parking on site, parking for buses and coaches, washrooms, wireless internet
Meanwhile, explore adult skating lessons in Vancouver.
⭐Atrium Le 1000
For a unique, year-round urban experience, enjoy Atrium Le 1000, an indoor ice rink located in a modern skyscraper. Yes, you can skate here even in summer!
Located in Downtown Montreal, this place is a great choice for family outings during school breaks and for those learning to skate for the first time. Daily admission costs CAD $12. 2
Address: 1000 De La Gauchetière Street West
Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Amenities: Skate and helmet rental services, food court, on-site paid parking
Toronto has amazing rinks where you can learn how to skate while taking in city views.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Those who love skating will not be disappointed by Parc Jean-Drapeau Rink. Besides having a dedicated skating trail, this place also features a natural skating rink that offers a large rectangular ice surface for daily skating as you enjoy riverside views of the St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.
Entry is free, and you can stroll by local attractions like La Ronde and the Montreal Biosphere.
Address: le Notre-Dame, Montréal
Operating hours: Daily 10 am to 10 p.m le Notre-Dame, Montréal
Amenities: Lockers, equipment rental, restaurants, warming refuge, restrooms
📝Essential Tips for Ice Skating in Montreal
Learning a new sport or physical activity, like ice skating, can feel intimidating and risky. Don’t let your fears stop you from trying something new as long as you follow the guidelines and rules for safety!
🧤Preparing for Outdoor Skating
If you are feeling anxious about starting, watch other skaters or videos for learning how to move forward and fall safely. Hit the rinks early before they get busy, or start in local rinks near your community, and follow these simple tips:
Before committing to spending a day skating outdoors, make sure you are properly layered from head to toe. Montreal is known for its extreme cold - even on sunny days!
If you're an absolute beginner, we highly recommend that you wear a helmet or protective gear to avoid injuries.
Be sure to sharpen your skates before you start skating, for safety and optimal performance.
Check out the skate sharpening services at major rinks in Montreal.
🧤Understanding Rink Etiquette
Most skating rinks are open to the public, which means you can expect a big crowd. It's important to practice some rink etiquette for everyone's safety and pleasure.
If you're skating with children or just learning to skate, it's best to stay near the edges. Experienced skaters who want to skate faster tend to skate in the center.
Whenever you're on the rink, be sure to avoid pushing each other, playing tag games, or suddenly stopping so that everyone can have a safe and smooth skating session.
Ice maintenance is very important for refrigerated rinks, especially when there's a certain temperature difference during winter. Be ready to leave the rink promptly when requested by staff.
Learn more about ice skating in Calgary.
🧊 Ice Skating Lessons and Programs
To make the best out of every skating session, it's important to have a solid foundation through consistent, solid lessons, regardless of your current level. Let's explore different types of beginner lessons and advanced learning programs in Montreal.
🛡️Beginner Lessons in Montreal
There are ice skating locations in Montreal that offer either on-site guidance or structured beginner lessons for children and adults.
Let's review the following table to learn more about the lesson options offered at these locations:
| Ice skating location | Guidance/ Lesson Availability | Schedule / Notes | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esplanade Tranquille (Outdoor) | ✔️Skating guidance and advice | ✅Children (ages 2-10): Sundays, 10 am – 1 pm ✅Teens & adults: Saturdays, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm ✅Seasonal weekly introductory practice and help from instructors on some Wednesdays & Saturdays | 💡On certain days during the winter season, there will be the instructors offering advice to adult and child skaters. 💡This service is offered free of charge without any reservation. |
| Atrium Le 1000 (Indoor) | ✔️ Formal structured lessons offered | ✅Children lessons: Beginner classes available with specific schedules and registration (e.g., seasonal sessions Jan 10 – Mar 28, 2026). ✅Adult lessons: courses for adults also available (registration required). | 💡Children: 155.00 $ Taxes included, 11 weeks, one session is 50 minutes 💡Adults: 140.00 $ Taxes included, 6 weeks, one session is 60 minutes |
| Parc Jean-Drapeau Skaters’ Trail (Outdoor) | ✔️ Informal guidance/advice, not structured lessons | ✅A certified instructor (Jean-Philippe Eyelom) offers tips and advice at scheduled times (e.g., Saturdays in winter season, often 1 pm–3 pm or 1 pm–4 pm on specified dates). ✅Important note: These are clinics / on-ice tips, not formal registered lessons. | 💡There's no fee for guidance. |
Montreal's indoor and outdoor ice rinks offer distinct experiences for skating lessons and sessions, depending on your preferences and interests. Here's a comparison between these two different types of ice rinks.
Indoor skating rinks
- Skating timeline: Available year-round regardless of temperature or snow
- Lesson availability: Tends to be more formal and structured
- Cost: Entry is usually paid
- Overall ambience: Dependent on selected music and focused lighting
Outdoor skating rinks
- Skating timeline: Limited to only the winter season, and also good ice conditions
- Lesson availability: More informal and instructional-based
- Cost: Entry is usually free
- Overall ambience: More scenic and festive as it's usually more decorated during winter
🛡️Advanced Training Programs
Once you have mastered basic ice skating, you might want to refine your skills and take specialized courses in figure skating and hockey. The two most common pathways to learn these skills include city arenas in Montréal and local formal skating clubs. 3
Here are some examples:
📍 Aréna Mont-Royal (Le Plateau-Mont-Royal)
📍 Aréna Ahuntsic
📍 Aréna Jacques-Lemaire
📍Montreal Figure Skating Club
Explore the ice rinks that are perfect for a day out in Ottawa.
⛸️ Skate Rentals and Sharpening Services in Montreal
As mentioned earlier, it's important to make sure your pair of skates is in its best state for a pleasant and safe skating experience.
You can check out Patin Patin, which is a household name in Montreal when it comes to offering skate rentals and sharpening services at Montreal's major outdoor rinks. 4
Here is some key info about these services at different locations. 5
| Location (Type) | Skate Rental (2 hrs) | Helmet Rental | Skate Sharpening | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esplanade Tranquille (Outdoor) | Adult ~$14.95 Child ~$10.50 | ~$5.49 | ~$9.99 | Rentals via Patin Patin; helmets, padlocks available on-site. |
| Beaver Lake (Mount Royal) | ~$9.50 | ~$2.50 | $8.95 | Rentals from pavilion; group options available. |
| Parc La Fontaine (Outdoor) | ~$10–$13 | $5.49 | $9.99 | Similar to other rinks; provider-dependent.Patin Patin |
| Parc Jean-Drapeau (Outdoor) | Adult ~$14.95 Child ~$10.50 | $5.49 | ~$9.99 | Also via Patin Patin. |
| Atrium Le 1000 (Indoor) | ~$10 | ~$1 | ~$10 | Paid entry; full services including lockers, under Le 1000's management. |
🙂Is it Worthwhile to take Ice Skating Lessons?
Ice skating looks deceptively easy, and some skaters make complex jumps and moves look effortless. However, it is unlikely that this will be your experience the first or even the twentieth time you put on skates!
You can certainly teach yourself some basic moves on the ice, but the most effective way to learn skating quickly and efficiently is to take lessons or hire a private skating instructor.
A private skating instructor is the most optimal way, as you can learn at your own pace and have someone right at hand to give you feedback and model appropriate movement. You can easily find a skating instructor on Superprof, where dozens of instructors are eager to teach people how to skate.
Check out the Superprof site to find a private ice skating instructor in Montreal who will have you gliding and moving easily and quickly on the ice before the winter season is over!
References
- Walti, H. (2025, December 3). Montreal’s largest refrigerated skating rink opens for the 2025-2026 season. Montréal Secret. https://montrealsecret.co/en/esplanade-tranquille-mtl-skating-rink/
- Skating | Atrium Le 1000 - 1000 De La Gauchetière. (2025, December 19). 1000 de La Gauchetière. https://le1000.com/en/skate/
- Ville de Montréal. (2025, December 22). Aréna Mont-Royal. @MTL_Ville. https://montreal.ca/en/places/arena-mont-royal
- Quartier des spectacles skating rink - Patin Patin. (2025, November 24). Patin Patin. https://www.patinpatin.ca/en/quartier-des-spectacles-skating-rink/
- Skates rental shop in 4 ice rinks in Montreal | Patin Patin. (2026, January 6). Patin Patin. https://www.patinpatin.ca/en/
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