Every winter, the heart of Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, transforms the Rideau Canal into the Skateway, a natural ice surface that becomes the world’s largest skating rink.
Far more than a simple patch of ice, the Skateway is an iconic Canadian experience; indeed, it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each season to glide through history and urban scenery offering a truly unique winter adventure.
Location: Skating Through the National Capital
The Skateway is centrally located, winding its way through the urban core of Ottawa.
Country: Canada
Province: Ontario
City: Ottawa, the nation’s capital
Length: The maintained skating surface spans 7.8 kilometers (approximately 4.8 miles), extending from downtown (near Parliament Hill and the National Arts Centre) all the way to Dow’s Lake and Hartwells Locks.
A Historic Route: Built for Conflict, Flourished for Fun
The history of the Rideau Canal is rooted in military strategy, not recreation.
- Construction and Purpose: Lieutenant-Colonel John By of the British Royal Engineers directed the construction of the 202-kilometer-long Rideau Canal system, including the future Skateway section, between 1826 and 1832.
The primary purpose was strategic: specifically, to create a secure inland supply and military route between Montreal and Kingston (on Lake Ontario) in the event of another war with the United States following the War of 1812.
- Engineering Marvel: Engineers celebrate the canal as a feat of 19th-century engineering, utilizing a “slackwater” system—using high dams to raise water levels—to connect existing rivers and lakes.
It remains the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America still in its original form.
- The Birth of the Skateway (1971): While people have skated on the canal for decades, the National Capital Commission (NCC) first established the official, maintained “Skateway” in January 1971, starting with a small cleared section that they later expanded.
World Records and UNESCO Recognition
The sheer scale and historic significance of the Rideau Canal have garnered global recognition.
- Guinness World Record: The Rideau Canal Skateway holds the Guinness World Record for the largest naturally frozen ice rink in the world. The maintained skating area is equivalent to over 90 Olympic-sized hockey rinks.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: The entire Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized in 2007. Authorities celebrate it as the best-preserved example of a slackwater canal in North America, highlighting its outstanding universal value as a major early 19th-century construction built for military strategy.
The Skating Season: A Winter Phenomenon
The Skateway is a natural ice surface, making its opening and closing entirely dependent on the weather.
The canal serves two main purposes depending on the season, with different government bodies in charge:
Summer Season: Navigation (Parks Canada)
During the navigation season (typically May to October), the canal operates as the Rideau Canal National Historic Site, managed by Parks Canada.
- Activities: Boating, paddling, walking trails, and visiting the 24 historic lockstations.
- Hours of Operation: The navigation season typically runs from the May long weekend until Thanksgiving Monday.
- Services: Parks Canada manages the operation of the 47 locks, including fees for lockage and mooring.
Winter Season: The World’s Largest Skating Rink (NCC)
In the winter, the National Capital Commission (NCC) transforms a section of the canal in Ottawa into the Rideau Canal Skateway.
The skating season is weather-dependent and typically runs from January to early March.
Size: At 7.8 km long, it is the world’s largest naturally frozen ice rink.
Services: The Skateway is free, accessible 24/7 when open, and features on-ice amenities like change rooms, rest areas, and food vendors (including the famous BeaverTails®).
Amenities and Services
Services fully support the Skateway to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
- Rest Areas and Facilities: Throughout the 7.8 km stretch, you will find several rest areas (such as at Rideau, Fifth Avenue, and Dow’s Lake) which provide:
- Universally accessible, heated change rooms.
- Washrooms.
- Picnic tables.
- Skate Patrol and Safety: A dedicated Skate Patrol, trained in first aid and CPR, operates daily on the ice. First aid stations are also available at major rest areas. Authorities update the ice condition daily and indicate it by a flag system (Green for open, Red for closed).
Rentals and Fueling Up
You don’t need to own skates to enjoy the ice, and no Canadian experience is complete without a hot treat.
- Equipment Rentals: Skate and equipment rentals are available at kiosks located at the Rideau and Fifth Avenue rest areas.
You can rent:- Skates (sharpening services are also available).
- Red push-sleighs, which are great for carrying belongings or giving children/non-skaters a ride.
- Double-rider tricycles (at the Rideau rental kiosk) for a different way to experience the ice.
- On-Ice Concessions: The Skateway is famous for its food vendors, most notably the iconic BeaverTails® stands (a fried dough pastry), where you can also grab hot chocolate or other warm beverages to keep you going.
Ice Maintenance: The Science of the Glide
Maintaining the pristine condition of the world’s largest naturally frozen rink is a 24/7 operation managed by the National Capital Commission (NCC).
- The Process: Maintenance crews work around the clock, primarily at night, to remove snow and resurface the ice.
- The “Froster”: The NCC uses specialized, custom-built ice resurfacers, often referred to as “The Froster.” Unlike a heavy Zamboni, these machines are lightweight and are designed to distribute water evenly across the expansive width of the canal to create the smoothest possible skating surface.
- Snow Management: Because snow acts as an insulator, preventing the ice from thickening, removing it quickly is critical to promoting continuous ice growth throughout the season.
Relevant Reference Links
- Official Skateway Information (NCC): https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/rideau-canal-skateway
- Rideau Canal National Historic Site (Parks Canada): https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Rideau Canal: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Rideau Canal Skateway free?
Yes, skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway is completely free. It is a public outdoor rink, accessible to everyone at no cost, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (when open).
Note: While access is free, you will need to pay for skate rentals, food and beverages (like the iconic BeaverTails), and public parking.
When does the Rideau Canal Skateway usually open and close?
The skating season typically runs from early January to late February or early March.
The exact dates are entirely weather-dependent because it is a naturally frozen ice surface. The ice must be at least 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) thick to be considered safe for skating. This usually requires 10–14 days of sustained temperatures between −10∘C to −20∘C.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) provides daily updates on the official ice conditions and open/closed status.
How long is the Rideau Canal Skateway?
The official, maintained skating surface of the Skateway is 7.8 kilometers (about 4.8 miles) long.
It stretches from downtown Ottawa (near the National Arts Centre) to Dow’s Lake and Hartwells Locks, making it the equivalent of over 90 Olympic-sized hockey rinks.
Where can I rent skates for the Rideau Canal?
Skate, sleigh, and tricycle rentals are available at kiosks located right on or near the Skateway at major rest areas. The main rental locations include:
- Rideau Rest Area (KM 0): Downtown access point.
- Fifth Avenue Rest Area (KM 3): Mid-point access.
- Dow’s Lake Pavilion (KM 6): Southern access point.
Skate sharpening and boot check services are also available at these rental locations.
How do I know if the Skateway is open before I visit?
You should always check the official ice conditions before heading out.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) updates the status daily, typically at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Look for the flag system: A Green Flag means the Skateway is open, while a Red Flag means it is closed for the safety of the public due to poor conditions.
Are food and washrooms available on the ice?
Yes. Rest areas are located along the 7.8 km route (including Rideau, Fifth Avenue, Bronson, and Dow’s Lake) which feature:
Concession stands selling hot beverages and famous Canadian treats, most notably the BeaverTails pastry.
Heated and universally accessible change rooms and washrooms.
Can I bring my own food and gear (like hockey sticks)?
You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks, but please use the designated recycling and composting bins in the rest areas.
Hockey sticks, pucks, balls, and playing hockey are NOT permitted on the maintained surface to ensure a safe and smooth experience for all general skaters.
Strollers and red push-sleighs are permitted and commonly used.
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