Have you found yourself googling “Rideau Canal Skating” as you plan your visit to Canada’s longest skating rink?
An iconic Canadian experience, skating the Rideau Canal is known around the world. Nowhere else can you commute to work on skates like this, or hang out with friends on the icy roadway. With pop-up changing huts, fire pits, and of course, sweet treats to warm up to, going for a skate on the Rideau Canal is something both locals and visitors love.
Let’s be real, life is not often full of Hallmark family moments. But our Rideau Canal skating adventure was pretty close. As we glided down the ice I looked behind me and saw my mother and daughter skating hand-in-hand. Then my husband and son grabbed my arms and slungshot me down the ice—everyone smiling, everyone laughing—and it felt like a moment of pure happiness. The kind of happiness that comes from checking off a long-awaited item on your bucket list.
I’m a big believer in bucket lists. In creating them, dreaming about them, and then chasing down the experiences to make them a reality. So when I had the opportunity to help my mom cross something off her bucket list during our ultimate Canadian winter road trip, I jumped on it. When she opened up her Christmas present and saw she would be joining us for skating on the Rideau Canal skateway, her eyes filled with tears. And as I skated with her down the canal and watched her realize one of her dreams was coming true along with the people she loves, my eyes filled with tears too.
Disclaimer: While I share my own thoughts and stories about these experiences, should you click on the affiliate links, I may receive a small commission on that sale which helps fund Adventure Awaits.
55th Anniversary of Rideau Canal Skating
2025 marks the 55th anniversary of skating on the Rideau Canal. People have been lacing up their ice skates to skate on this rink—the largest naturally frozen ice rink in the world—since 1970.
How Long Is Rideau Canal Skating?
The rink winds 7.8km through Canada’s capital city of Ottawa and is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Best of all, it is free for everyone to enjoy. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get you there!
Plan Your Own Trip to Rideau Canal Skating
If you’re reading this and thinking you don’t want to just see pictures of skating on the Rideau Canal but be in the photos as you skate through the heart of Canada’s capital city, then it’s time to add it to your bucket list. But before you pack up your skates and head to Ottawa, let’s break down a few important details.
Is the Rideau Canal open for skating in 2025?
Canada may have earned the nickname The Great White North but as many of you know, we don’t live in a year-round snowy paradise. Come to the Rideau Canal with plans to skate in spring, summer or fall and you will be disappointed. Even once winter hits, it takes time for the ice to form and reach a safe level of thickness.
Because the skating season on the Rideau Canal is weather-dependent, it varies each year. Typically all or part of the canal is open from early January to early March with many activities taking place in February as the Skateway is part of Ottawa’s winter festival, Winterlude.
When Can You Skate On The Rideau Canal?
Once the season is underway, people are free to skate 24 hours a day. As night falls you’ll see people skating with headlamps on. If you’re going as a family it’s a good idea to pick a time where everyone has a lot of energy—read: well-fed with maybe a little sugar for a boost. Keep in mind ice maintenance is often done at night.
Where is the best place to find out Rideau Canal Skating Conditions?
The best place to find out about opening dates and ice status is on the skateway’s official Twitter Account.
How Many People Go Skating On The Rideau Canal Everyday?
During the winter months, the NCC (National Capital Commission) which oversees skating on The Rideau Canal says that they estimate an average of 19000 people per day visit the rink.
Rideau Canal Skating Map
When you’re looking at booking your accommodation, one thing to keep in mind is that not all parts of the Rideau Canal are always open to skate. This may mean even though your hotel is within walking distance, you may need to travel a bit further to a section that is open.
Where Are The Access Points On The Rideau Canal?
There are 10 access points that have parking lots available and another 20 that you can use to hop on the Rideau Canal. This website lists all the access points, amenities, and accessibility. We weren’t able to walk from our hotel to a Rideau Canal access point, but because the Winterlude Festival was in full swing during our visit, we hopped on the complimentary festival shuttle—the Sno-Bus—that took us to Fifth which is one of the main access points on the Rideau Canal.
Fifth Avenue Access Point
With skate rentals, washrooms, food options, changerooms and fire pits to help keep you warm, along with first aid attendants skating around and other staff members skating with big question mark signs, we felt welcomed, and safe and we had everything we could need.
Skating Recommendations For The Rideau Canal
If you’re travelling with family I suggest you start and end your skating experience at the same place. This allows you to return your rentals to the same place, know where the car is parked, and allows flexibility for how far you want to skate (important for family members with little legs). If however you want a more scenic approach you can traverse along the ice as far as you want to explore, winding through neighbourhoods and checking out the local sights. Then either turn around and skate back to where you started or hop in an uber to head back to your starting point (or hotel if you brought your own skates).
Traveler Tip: If you plan to exit from a different access point you’ll need to carry your boots/shoes with you to walk in after you get off the ice.
I highly recommend starting off your time on the Rideau Canal at Fifth. But no matter where you go on the canal, always check the ice conditions first.
Does It Cost Money To Skate On The Rideau Canal?
Skating on the Rideau Canal is free and you’ll find locals who skate on the rink for exercise and leisure throughout the winter season. If you’re visiting I do recommend bringing money to pay for rentals and warm treats!
Rentals On Rideau Canal
Did you know you can rent more than skates at the Rideau Canal? Here’s a list of all of the things that you can rent along with their prices (may be subject to change as while we try to keep all of our blogs updated we are also sometimes guilty of being out of office adventure seeking!):
- Skate Rental On Rideau Canal – 2 hours for $30
- Kicksled Rentals On Rideau Canal – 2 Hours for $38
- Sleigh Rental On Rideau Canal – 2 Hours for $46
- Skate Sharpening – $14
- Boot Check – $7
- Ice Trike Rentals On Rideau Canal – This is a new rental listed on their website, but they haven’t published the prices.
(All prices are in Canadian dollars and may be subject to change for the 2025 Skating Season)
What To Wear To Skate On The Rideau Canal
Check the weather and dress appropriately, specifically for physical exercise as you’ll be working hard while you skate and may get too sweaty if you’re not dressed appropriately.
The basics are:
Base Layer – Something that will wick away the sweat to outer layers that will keep you warm rather than sit next to your skin and make your cold.
Warm Layer – This is a sweater or fleece layer that breathes, but keeps your warm.
Outer Layer – This layer faces the winter conditions. It can be windproof, waterproof, a thick or thin jacket, but one that is rated for the weather.
Gloves/Mittens – It is important to keep hands warm! Mittens are better in cooler temperatures as they keep your fingers together, especially important for little hands
Socks – I prefer to wear two socks, one that wicks sweat and one that is wool-based and holds in the heat. Don’t go too thick as you’ll want them to easily fit into skates and be comfortable.
Toque/Helmet – Depending on your skating experience, protect your head from a potential fall or from the cold weather. Be sure to cover up those ears too!
Scarf/Balaclava – Having your neck cold will quickly cool down the rest of your body so be sure to cover up with a scarf or balaclava to keep you warm. You can always take it off if you’re too hot, but it’s better to have it and shove it in a pocket than not have it at all.
Backpack – I suggest taking a backpack while you skate to store your stuff (like a camera, snacks, hand warmers, extra layers) and then you can stop whenever you want along the way. If you prefer to go speedy fast than feel free to drop off your stuff at one of the cubbies on the way and skate free!
What To Eat On The Rideau Canal
If you’re visiting the Rideau Canal and don’t have allergies (like gluten and nuts) than a trip to BeaverTails is a great way to sneak in this Canadian classic treat. A pastry drizzled with your favourite toppings, you can have the classic which is cinnamon and sugar, add some hazelnut spread, indulge in an apple pie, or go all out with toppings like peanut butter and Reece Pieces or Oreo treats!
Where to Stay
While there aren’t any accommodations within a walkable distance of the Fifth Street access point to the Rideau Canal (my suggestion on where to start your skating experience), there are some great places to stay that are an easy Uber/Taxi distance, or there is parking available the Landsdowne Park, adjacent to the Fifth Street access point.
We highly recommend staying at the Fairmont Château Laurier while visiting Ottawa and the surrounding area. Its central downtown location will have you close to the Parliament Buildings, great restaurants, multiple museums and fabulous city tours.
Book your stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier here!
What Is The Experience Of Skating On The Rideau Canal in Ottawa Canada Really Like?
“I will always remember skating it with my grandma.”
Yes, it’s a historic place. Yes, it’s in a beautiful setting. Yes it’s known around the entire world. But what my daughter said she would remember most about her afternoon on the Rideau Canal was that she experienced it with her grandma.
There is something magical about witnessing another person fulfil a dream. It is even more magical to take part in it with them. And my mom was right to have this on her bucket list—it was an unforgettable experience. I hope you add it to yours, dream about it and then make a plan to go. You won’t regret it!
Why Is Skating On A Canal So Well Known And Talked About All Around The World?
Canada has a reputation for embracing our cold winter climate and skating on the canal is one of the ways we welcome the spirit of the snow. From leisurely skates on the ice, to competitive ice hockey games, to speed skaters, to even commuters, the canal becomes a thouroughfare, a place to gather, and something to be celebrated.
This cornerstone of culture in Ottawa has garnered a reputation, not only for the locals that call it home but also for those that come from around the world to experience the icy adventure. Combine the atmosphere with the stats of being the longest skateway in the world, and it’s easy to see why it’s such an iconic Canadian experience.
Pictures Of Skating On The Rideau Canal In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
If they say a picture is worth a thousand words then let’s use these photos to inspire you to book a trip to Ottawa. Whether it’s a birthday, a family road trip like ours, or a girl’s weekend escape, there’s something unique about being outside skating on Canada’s longest skateway!
Here are 7 of my favourite photos showcasing what you can expect when you go for a skate on the Rideau Canal.
In conclusion, not only do I recommend that you explore the Rideau Canal, I hope you get to visit it more than once. In 2024 the Canal didn’t open due to the temperature not getting cold enough, which was such a sad reality and a loss of the iconic winter experience in Ottawa. So if you can visit definitely check it out and you too will be living your own Hallmark moment on ice!
Planning an Ultimate East Coast Canadian Winter Road Trip? Check out these other articles for inspiration!
Is this a sponsored post?: Yes, while this is a sponsored adventure, all thoughts, experiences and views are our own.
