Every winter, the Rideau Canal turns into the Rideau Canal Skateway, aka, the world’s largest skating rink!
Every winter, the Rideau Canal turns into the Rideau Canal Skateway, aka, the world’s largest skating rink!
Without sufficiently solid ice, skaters are missing out on weeks of fun at this World Heritage site.
Winterlude is known as one of the biggest and most popular winter events in Canada. The festival that started in 1979 attracts, every year, thousands of tourists from Canada and USA.
Museums, festivals, and events all make excellent reasons to visit Ottawa. There are so many things to do in Ottawa this summer!
Every winter, the Rideau Canal turns into the Rideau Canal Skateway, aka, the world’s largest skating rink!
The Rideau Canal Skateway is an iconic Canadian Landmark. Each winter a section of the 202 kilometre canal, which connects Ottawa to Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River, is transformed into a massive ice rink. A few years ago, we had the opportunity to skate the 7.8 kilometres of frozen canal and it was such a fun and unique experience. If you’re currently in Ottawa or planning a future winter getaway in the Canadian capital, we highly recommend bundling up, lacing up a pair of skates and hitting the ice. As you plan your adventure, check out these cool and interesting facts about the Rideau Canal Skateway: The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Canal was originally constructed for military purposes in the 19th century to help Britain defend the Colony of Canada against the United States. It is the only North American canal built during that time that is still operational today. It was once considered an eyesore and there was talk of paving it and turning it into an expressway. In the early 1970s, the National Capital Commission proposed turning the frozen canal into an ice rink and the skateway we know it as today was born. It’s the largest naturally frozen ice rink in the world. The skating surface is the same size as 90 Olympic-size hockey rinks. The ice must be 25-30cm (10-12 inches) thick for skaters to be allowed on it. It usually takes about two weeks of consecutively cold temperatures (-15°C or colder) for the ice to achieve the necessary thickness. The average number of skating days per year is 50, but the record goes to the winter of 1971-1972 with 95 days. The shortest season was only 26 days in 2000-2001. Did any of these facts surprise you? PIN IT!
Ottawa's Rideau Canal opens on Sunday, December 30th.
The Rideau Canal Skateway is an iconic Canadian Landmark. Each winter a section of the 202 kilometre canal, which connects Ottawa to Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River, is transformed into a massive ice rink. A few years ago, we had the opportunity to skate the 7.8 kilometres of frozen canal and it was such a fun and unique experience. If you’re currently in Ottawa or planning a future winter getaway in the Canadian capital, we highly recommend bundling up, lacing up a pair of skates and hitting the ice. As you plan your adventure, check out these cool and interesting facts about the Rideau Canal Skateway: The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Canal was originally constructed for military purposes in the 19th century to help Britain defend the Colony of Canada against the United States. It is the only North American canal built during that time that is still operational today. It was once considered an eyesore and there was talk of paving it and turning it into an expressway. In the early 1970s, the National Capital Commission proposed turning the frozen canal into an ice rink and the skateway we know it as today was born. It’s the largest naturally frozen ice rink in the world. The skating surface is the same size as 90 Olympic-size hockey rinks. The ice must be 25-30cm (10-12 inches) thick for skaters to be allowed on it. It usually takes about two weeks of consecutively cold temperatures (-15°C or colder) for the ice to achieve the necessary thickness. The average number of skating days per year is 50, but the record goes to the winter of 1971-1972 with 95 days. The shortest season was only 26 days in 2000-2001. Did any of these facts surprise you? PIN IT!
Where to park and access the Rideau Canal, and more tips.
The Rideau Canal Skateway will not open this winter, making this season the first one ever without the popular pastime and tourist draw.
Did you know a UNESCO World Heritage Site winds its way through the urban core of Canada’s capital? Find out how you can explore the Rideau Canal!
