Magical Skating Rinks And Trails In Ontario

Tell me you’re Canadian without telling me you’re Canadian. I’ll go first: I literally count down the days to the opening of our skating rinks and trails. As many of you know, it wasn’t always this way (I used to hate winter and would hibernate throughout), but I’m glad I challenged myself to shift my perspective because winter sports truly saved my mental and physical health. Skating is now a weekly activity I look forward to during the winter months. And to keep things interesting, I’ve made it a mission to find the best rinks and trails in Ontario. Here are my picks:

The 6 Best Skating Rinks And Trails In Ontario

1. Woodview Mountaintop Skating – Blue Mountain

This 1.1 KM mountaintop loop is one of my favourite skating spots in Ontario. Not only does Grey County get a ton of snow (so you’ll experience winter wonderland moments like the one pictured below), but you’ll also have extraordinary views of the Niagara Escarpment as you skate around the loop. One piece of advice: make sure you have winter tires because the drive to the top of Blue Mountain can be treacherous without them! Oh, and this year they’re only offering walk-up tickets so you may need to wait in line a bit before hitting the ice. Trust me, it’s worth it. Skate rentals and skate aids are avail onsite along with cozy fire pits where you can warm up.

2. Arrowhead Provincial Park – Muskoka

Skate your way through an evergreen forest at this provincial park. Named one of the 19 Stunning Natural Ice Skating Rinks Around The World by Travel + Leisure, the trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park truly feels like a page out of a fairytale. But wait, it gets even more magical at night. Head here for their Fire and Ice Nights to skate down a trail lit up by hundreds of tiki torches! Tip: Arrowhead gets really busy on weekends so I highly recommend visiting on a weekday and booking an Advanced Daily Vehicle permit to guarantee access (more on that process here).

3. Rideau Canal Skateway – Ottawa

The Rideau Canal Skateway isn’t just the world’s largest skating rink, but I’d argue it’s the best. Winding its way through the nation’s capital, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is over 7.8 km long and oozes Canadiana vibes! I recommend going for a skate late in the afternoon so you can take in the sunset — the light is unreal as it peaks through the bridges. And make sure to swing by the rest stops if they’re open to warm up by the fire pits and eat BeaverTails (sadly they were closed in 2021, but I hear they may return soon).

4. The Bentway – Toronto

There’s so much to love about The Bentway! Yes, it’s located under the Gardner Expressway, but you come here for the community vibes, public art exhibitions and the 220-meter figure-eight skating loop. Did I mention free skate rentals and hot chocolate Thursdays?! Yup, just be prepared to wait in line given capacity limits OR avoid Thursdays if you own skates. They have indoor washrooms, concessions and benches to rest/put skates on so this spot is great for family skate nights.

5. Cranberry Marsh Ice Trail – Muskoka

Skating, mulled wine/hot cran-apple cider, snowshoe trails, fire pits, and even bog hockey (yup, they flooded a bed of cranberries and made it into a giant ice surface) — that’s what you can expect when visiting Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery in the winter! Sounds pretty epic, right? It is. Their 1.2 km skating loop hugs 12 acres of cranberries and has become quite a popular attraction in Muskoka both for day skates (11-4 pm) AND their Light The Night skates (6-9pm on Saturdays). Take a look at the video below and you’ll understand why…

6. Laurentian Valley Skating Trail

Head to the Township of Laurentian Valley for a scenic skate through the wooded area surrounding Alice & Fraser Recreation Centre. This natural ice trail is 1.5 km in length and is free to skate during operating hours (donations are welcome). Keep an eye on their Facebook page for special events and night skates!

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Did I miss your favourite skating trail? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll check them out!