In-line Skating
A total of 30.5 kilometres are available for in-line skating during active use hours:
Gatineau Park
Please note that in-line skates and roller skis are prohibited by law on any roadway when the road is
In-line skating
Safety Tips
(avoid figure skates, as the picks tend to catch on bumps and cracks in the ice surface)
a certified
Immediately contact the skate patrol.
Only water may be offered to the child.
The skate patrol will take charge of looking for your child.
This will allow skate patrollers to quickly contact you, should your child become lost.
Ottawa Police Service: 613-236-1222
Skate patrol: 613-565-1899
From 0.0 to 7.8: A Trip Down the Rideau Canal Skateway
So, bundle up, grab your skates and head down to the Rideau Canal Skateway!
Here’s what to expect, as you make your way along each kilometre of the world’s largest skating rink.
It is a great starting point for skating, right in the heart of downtown Ottawa.
Did you know that you can still glide down the Skateway without using skates?
This hidden gem is tucked just out of sight, but if you skate under the footbridge, you’ll be rewarded
Rideau Canal Skateway
the efforts by our teams, our latest ice tests show that the Rideau Canal Skateway remains unsafe for skating
We already look forward to welcoming you to the world’s largest skating rink next winter.
Each winter, the NCC transforms the historic Rideau Canal into the world’s largest skating
The skating season typically runs from January to early March, but it is weather-dependent.
:56 pm
Rideau Canal
Blogs
Winter activities
Skating
From milking cows to wintertime fun
I think that skating on the rink at Rideau Hall is a must-do winter experience for anyone’s bucket list
Between 1895 and 1916, the Dairy Building was located next to the skating rink, but was moved 50 metres
You’ll now see it as a skating shelter and meeting place next to the Rideau Hall skating rink.
Once repaired, the various components were transported to the new location next to the skating rink for
skating during winter.
History of the Rideau Canal Skateway
Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest skating
It was then extended as a six-metre-wide skating track on the canal ice surface to Dows Lake, a distance
At the area between the bridges, lighting and music were added to increase the enjoyment of skating in
The average skating season is 50 days, but the record is 95 days (1971–1972 season).
It is also selected as the best ice skating rink in North America by the readers of USA Today.
2018:
Volunteer maintenance safety monitor for the Rideau Canal Skateway
Share your love of skating
This task is performed outdoors, and requires the appropriate clothing and equipment: skates, helmet,
Commitment and schedule
Volunteer shifts will be scheduled during the length of the skating
basic knowledge of French and English)
Have a means of travelling to and from the Skateway
Able to skate
several kilometres (7 to 14 km)
Able to skate in a variety of conditions (extreme cold, snow, freezing
Equipment rentals
You can rent skates
, sleighs, tricycles or sharpen your skates at one of three locations on the Rideau Canal Skateway.
Rideau
Visit the Capital Skates website for more information, or call 819-576-6839.
Fifth
Visit the Capital Skates website for more information, or call 819-576-3419.
Rideau Canal Skateway: Behind The Ice
The skating season typically runs from early January to early March, but it is weather- dependent.
Understanding the process of ice formation helps us create and maintain the ideal surface for skating
When daily testing shows a sufficient thickness (30 cm) of good quality ice for safe public skating,
Clear ice provides the ideal skating surface, because it has fewer air bubbles and is much stronger.
Just removing the snow is not enough to turn the Rideau Canal into the world’s largest skating rink.
Ice conditions
the efforts by our teams, our latest ice tests show that the Rideau Canal Skateway remains unsafe for skating
We already look forward to welcoming you to the world’s largest skating rink next winter.
cracks, due to mild temperatures
Soft ice surface with several rough or “soft/wet spots”
Risk of skate
Our top ideas for winter activities in Ottawa–Gatineau
With our top suggestions for hiking, snowshoeing, skating, skiing and many other activities to enjoy
Discover the Rideau Hall skating rink (registration required).
Use the City of Ottawa’s interactive map to find an outdoor municipal skating rink near you.
down the Rideau Canal Skateway, and stop at attractions along each kilometre of the world’s largest skating
Visit one of the 10 best skating rinks in the Outaouais region.
NCC’s efforts to open the Rideau Canal Skateway come to an end
temperatures of the last 24 hours, the latest ice tests show that the Rideau Canal Skateway remains unsafe for skating
We already look forward to welcoming visitors to the world’s largest skating rink next winter.
LINKS
The Rideau Canal Skateway: World’s Largest Skating Rink
Tackling Climate Change on the Rideau
Report on Activities - April 2020
Rideau Hall Skating Rink and Winter Pavilion
The rink closed for the season on March 16 after one
of the longest skating seasons at Rideau Hall in memory.
The artificial surface opened on December 7 for a total of 81 skating days, and more than 6,500 skaters
Amid challenging weather, the Skateway was open for 31 days of skating, with almost 400,000 visits this
Reminder: Do not venture onto the Rideau Canal ice surface
They prepare for the opening of the skating season by flooding the ice to thicken its surface.
the National Capital Commission (NCC) will work hard to open the 53rd season on the world’s largest skating
Things to do in the capital this winter
Interactive map: Cross-country ski routes (skate skiing)
Interactive map: Cross-country ski routes
Skate on the world’s largest skating rink, zoom down toboggan hills or enjoy the dazzling Christmas lights
Careers
Get outdoors
From field trips to the Greenbelt and Gatineau Park, to group skates on the Rideau Canal
Active lifestyle
Bike, walk, snowshoe or skate to work.
Report on Activities - April 2018
Skateway
The 48th season of the Rideau Canal Skateway ended on February 21, lasting 48 days and open for skating
Rideau Hall
The Rideau Hall skating rink has completed its first full season with its refrigerated
This allowed for the longest skating season ever at Rideau Hall, from December 8 until March 25.
Interactive Trail Map
Skate Skiing
Report on Activities - January 2019
Skating Season
The 49th season of skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway began on December 30
The skating season at the Rideau Hall rink and Winter Pavilion began on December 8.
Ski Trail Conditions
Last Updated
Note
Classic Ski
Skate
Thank you for subscribing!
Expect updates on special activities, services and suggestions to help you get the most out of your skating
experience on the world’s largest skating rink.
NCC Weekend Bikedays
Whether you’re biking, walking, in-line skating, using a wheelchair or scooter, or pushing a stroller
Winter Trail Etiquette in Gatineau Park
section of a ski trail between the classic cross-country tracks — better known as the corduroy — is for skate
If you are skate skiing, try to avoid the classic tracks.
Youth Engagement at the NCC
Rideau Canal Skateway
Volunteer at a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the world’s largest skating rink
Each winter, the historic Rideau Canal becomes a 7.8-kilometre skating rink, with an area equal to 90
percent of Skateway users are aged 16 to 34, and the NCC is always looking for youth volunteers to act as skate
Skate patrollers administer first aid and offer safety tips to skaters, and information officers let
Access points
From one end to the other, there are about 30 staircases and 5 universal access ramps leading to the skating
Share the road: Rules on parkways
In-line skates and roller skis are prohibited by law on any roadway when the road is open to motor vehicles
Gatineau Park: Cross-Country Ski Routes
Enjoy classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing in a beautiful conservation area, located just minutes
around at any point on this route)
Level of difficulty: Easy to intermediate
Technique: Classic or skate
Tackling Climate Change on the Rideau Canal Skateway
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people make their way onto the world’s largest skating rink: the
But, as winters get warmer and wetter, skating seasons shorten and ice quality decreases.
Report on Activities - April 2022
Since then, more than half a million skaters have enjoyed 41 skating days.
This season also saw the return of services, including skate rentals and food and beverage concession
Cross-Country Skiing in Gatineau Park
It has over 200 kilometres of classic cross-country, skate and back-country ski trails, ranging in difficulty
Places to Visit
Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest skating
Our best gift ideas
trails for walking and hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and snow biking; toboggan hills; and the largest skating
Free NCC Shuttle During Fall Rhapsody
In-line skating: In-line skates and roller skis are not permitted on the parkways when the shuttle is
Gatineau Park shuttle
In-line skating: In-line skates and roller skis are not permitted on the parkways when the shuttle is
Urban Design Challenge 2020
Centred on a bear sculpture, a rotatable fountain and a square set up to form a stage for dancing, and a skating
Share the Path
Skiing, skating or cycling with your dog is not allowed on the pathway.
Three “must-do” activities for the Labour Day long weekend
Whether you like to bike, inline skate or walk, join us this Labour Day weekend for the close of another
Gatineau Park
In-line skating
Your guide to embracing your #WinterCapital!
Rideau Canal Skateway—World’s largest skating rink!
Post-convoy, let's focus on shaping a more beautiful, resilient Ottawa
Post-convoy, let's focus on shaping a more beautiful, resilient Ottawa
I took the opportunity to go skating
Groomed multi-use winter trail network
Skiing, skating or cycling with your dog is not allowed.
Report on Activities - April 2019
The 49th season of skating on the Canal began on December 30 and wrapped up on March 10, during which
Regulations
Skiing, in-line skating or riding a bike when in charge of a pet is not permitted.
The art of maintaining Gatineau Park’s ski trail network
Traction is excellent, the “corduroy” section in the middle of the trail, which is for skate skiing,
NCC Volunteers: Portraits of passion and generosity
like them that we can get out skiing and hiking in Gatineau Park, discover the Mackenzie King Estate, skate
Report on Activities – June 2021
reserved for active transportation – e.g. activities such as cycling, walking, running, or in-line skating
Report On Activities - January 2018
Rideau Hall
The Rideau Hall skating rink and Winter Pavilion opened to the public on December 9.
Capital Pathway
Skiing, skating or cycling with your dog is not allowed.
The Path Forward for the Capital Pathway
place that accommodates a wide spectrum of active mobility modes, including walking, jogging, in-line skating
Rideau Hall
centre of a culture of winter, as governors general and their families enjoyed snowshoeing, tobogganing, skating
This year’s green initiatives
A specific study on the Rideau Canal Skateway revealed that, by 2050, the skating season will be shorter
Building A Publishing Culture Through Content Strategy
Even the #Worldslargest skating rink has to admit Mother Nature won this one.
There’s more to Victoria Island than meets the eye
I arrived in Ottawa over 15 years ago, having only once been here as a child to skate
Stories of Our Past
To get to school, I would walk on the pathway along the canal, or skate on the canal in the winter.
2022 Appendix 1 NCC Climate Vulnerability Risk Report
skiing and snowshoeing
season in Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt and on urban ski trails as well as the skating
has also negatively disrupted popular programs such as cross-country skiing in Gatineau Park and
skating
days, a 13% probability that there will be 40 skating days and only a 1%
probability that there will
be 60 skating days by 2071-2100.17
3.2.2 Projected Changes to Annual & Winter Freeze-Thaw Occurrences
This includes offering programs and events including cross-country skiing and
snowshoeing, ice skating
Climate Vulnerability & Risk Assessment Report
skiing and snowshoeing
season in Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt and on urban ski trails as well as the skating
has also negatively disrupted popular programs such as cross-country skiing in Gatineau Park and
skating
days, a 13% probability that there will be 40 skating days and only a 1%
probability that there will
be 60 skating days by 2071-2100.17
3.2.2 Projected Changes to Annual & Winter Freeze-Thaw Occurrences
This includes offering programs and events including cross-country skiing and
snowshoeing, ice skating
A 2022 00101
'xlO1 150 i 165
Area to store personal belongings; Possible
equipment: hockey nets, hockey sticks, skates
A 2022 00039
welcoming
individuals to the various amenities on site
such as the sugar bush, gardens, farmland,
and skating