Learning to ice skate is one of the best winter activities you can do, especially if you are living or happen to be in Ottawa. There are fewer things more quintessentially Canadian than lacing up a pair of skates for some leisurely physical activity or a game of hockey.
Known to many as the nation’s capital first and foremost, Ottawa also happens to be a hub of winter family fun. There are skating venues that will please both the lifelong local or the one-time tourist with unforgettable experiences.
Take for example, the Rideau Canal, where you can skate with a perfect view of some of Canada's most important government buildings. Ottawa is filled with places that you will only find in a capital city. Best of all, you can fuel a day of skating with delicious treats from the city's many highly rated restaurants and cafes.
See the different types of ice skating for beginners.
Let’s take a look at the top rinks to learn or practice ice skating in Ottawa. We will then explore some additional considerations to make when skating, such as what to wear and what kinds of rinks you can expect to skate on.
The Best Ice Skating in Ottawa
Rideau Canal Skateway
Location: Downtown Ottawa to Dows Lake
Perhaps one of the most famous ice skating venues in Canada, the Rideau Canal is a true Ottawa experience and the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink. Extending from downtown Ottawa to Dows Lake, the Rideau offers a scenic route through the city.
In addition to giving you a tour of the nation’s capital, the Rideau Canal Skateway has numerous facilities that include heated change huts, ice skate rentals, and food vendors offering up local treats that will give you the carb boost you need for a day of skating.
Because the skateway is natural, weather conditions will impact the ice. It is typically open during the winter months from January to March.
Rink of Dreams
Location: Ottawa City Hall
The Rink of Dreams is an outdoor skating rink with a refrigerated surface, ensuring you can skate consistently from November to March. Lit up with LED lights, this rink boasts and exciting and fun atmosphere for those who want an nighttime skate.
Picnic tables and changing facilities are available on site. Admission is free and the rink is open from 6am to 11pm.
Landsdowne Park Skating Court
Location: Glebe Neighbourhood
Located away from Ottawa’s bustling centre in the trendy Glebe Neighborhood, the Landsdowne Park Skating Court is a modern, refrigerated rink offering skaters optimal skating conditions throughout the winter season.
There are a variety of amenities that surround the park, such as stores, restaurants, and the Aberdeen Pavilion. Admission is free.
Rideau Hall Skating Rink
Location: 1 Sussex Drive (Governor General’s Residence)
The Rideau Hall Skating Rink is a historic facility established in 1872 at the Governor General’s residence. Open to the public on weekends from January to March, this rink gives skaters a truly historic experience in an elegant and historic setting.
Admission is free, but be sure to check the official website for hours and reservations.
Learn some techniques and tips for ice skating in Toronto.
ByWard Market Synthetic Rink
Location: Byward Market
Nestled in the bustling ByWard Market district in Ottawa between York and George Streets, this synthetic rink is a fun place to skate during a day of shopping or exploring the city’s many museums and sights. The rinks open from November to February from 10am-8pm, with the exception of Christmas Day.
Skate rentals available on site.
What Should I Wear when Ice Skating in Ottawa?
Canada is a vast region with many different peculiarities in weather and climate, so it is important to consider what to wear on a day out.
Ottawa has cold winters and is located far from any large mass of water, so it is critical to dress warmly. To enjoy many of the health benefits of ice skating, you need proper ice skating apparel to keep you warm.
Here are some tips for dressing for ice skating in Ottawa.
Are you skating to get some great photos? Balance your need to look stylish with thin layers - you will want extra layers of warmth for being outdoors for long periods of time.
Ottawa is known for its long, cold, and snowy winters, so consider wearing a thick parka on days with windier conditions and some covering for your face.
Ice skating requires you to move and balance yourself often, so clothes that are designed for breathability and athletic activity are best. Avoid wearing fitted denim or uncomfortable clothes that will bother you while skating.
Perhaps most importantly, consider wearing a helmet and other protective gear, especially if it is your first time on the ice. Some rinks require young children to wear a helmet while skating.
What Are the Different Types of Ice Rinks?
First, let's start by learning the types of ice rinks in Ottawa and the best for beginners. Learn how to get started with ice skating in Canada.
Today there are three types of ice rinks; natural, where freezing occurs independently from cold temperatures; artificial, where a coolant is used to freeze the surfaces; and synthetic rinks, where skating surfaces are designed from plastics. Any of these rinks are suitable for both beginners and advanced skaters because they have the same functions, just that some might be colder than others.
Natural
Natural ice rinks consist of or are found on open bodies of water like ponds, lakes, rivers and canals. However, these ice rinks can only be used during the winter season since they need the surface to freeze from naturally cold temperatures. Once the surface freezes thickly enough to hold human weight, people are then allowed to skate on it.
Some natural rinks are also made by enclosing a level area of the ground, filling it up with water and leaving it to freeze.
Find out how a coach can help you in your ice skating journey.
Artificial
People cannot always wait till the winter season to enjoy ice skating - and some skaters, like hockey players and figure skaters, must practice all year, so artificial ice rinks are a great option to have.
These ice rinks are made with a sand or concrete bed with inbuilt pipes that carry chilled fluid. The fluid is usually a salt brine, or smaller rinks use refrigerant to lower the temperature of the concrete bed so that water placed on top of it can freeze and create an ice rink.
Synthetic
Synthetic rinks are very different from natural or artificial ones; here, the rink consists of many panels of thin layered materials arranged on a level and smooth floor. The floor can be wood, concrete, or glass as long it is sturdy enough to hold human weight.
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethene (UHMW) or high-density polyethene (HDPE) is used to design the rink's surface, making it look like ice.
What is the Best Age to Start Ice Skating?
Learning to skate at a young age can help you quickly gain the foundation you need for competitive ice skating. However, learning ice skating for competitions or recreation can be fun and exciting for all ages, so there is no perfect age to learn skating.
A child as young as four can start learning to ice skate; as long as they have a good coach and always skate under supervision. Also, just as a child can learn ice skating, an adult of any age can learn ice skating easily. The only difference is that most children are more open to adventures and are less afraid than adults so they may learn faster.
Are There Good Ice Skating Lessons in Ottawa?
To become good at ice skating, whether for recreational or professional purposes, it is good to learn from the best; this will ensure you learn all the proper techniques and get the encouragement you need to continue even when you feel like giving up.
So, where do you find the best ice skating coaches in Ottawa? You don't have to worry yourself over such questions because Superprof is a top-rated platform in Ottawa where you can learn a variety of sports, including ice skating, and they offer you a chance to choose from the best coaches in the city.
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