Ottawa's Iconic Rideau Canal Has Opened For The First Time Since 2022 & Here's What To Know
Sharpen those skates!
People skating on the Rideau Canal.
It's skating time! Ottawa's iconic Rideau Canal is officially welcoming visitors back to its glistening ice trail for the first time in two years.
On January 21, 2024, the Rideau Canal reopened a section of its Skateway, marking the start of its 54th season.
Why you should care: This is the first time the Canal is welcoming skaters back since 2022. Last winter, the Skateway did not open at all due to mild temperatures, marking the sole instance in history that it remained closed throughout the season.
The Canal is still not fully open, but visitors can enjoy skating between the Pretoria Bridge and the Bank Street access points, according to the NCC website.
SHARPEN YOUR SKATES! 🙌🎉
We’re putting the final touches on the ice, and the long-awaited green flag is going up on a 1.9 km section between the Pretoria Bridge and Bank Street at 9:00am tomorrow, Jan 21.
Details: https://t.co/ByQ8nBbgwb | #OttNews pic.twitter.com/PVyrElSpFW
— Rideau Canal Skateway (@NCC_Skateway) January 20, 2024
Skate rentals are not yet available and it's a good idea to keep an eye on the interactive map for updates on ice conditions.
The season typically runs from January to early March, but this can change depending on the weather. The Skateway is free to enjoy and, when open, is accessible 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
What they're saying: Narcity reached out to the NCC for a comment but did not hear back at the time of publishing.
ICYMI: At a total length of 7.8 kilometres, the Rideau Canal Skateway is the "world’s largest skating rink" and an iconic winter activity for locals and visitors alike.
Keep reading: If you're looking for more places to skate around Ottawa this winter, you can check out these magical skating trails.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.