What better to remind you that you’re in Canada than the diverse sprinkling of ice rinks all over the GTA? No matter where you are, there’s a good chance that you’re near one of them, and close enough to a skating opportunity.
Bayview & Leaside offers a recently refurbished rink at Hodgson Public School with a bright new change room overlooking the double ice surface. Out of two rinks open to the public, one offers a space for shinny and the other for pleasure skating.
Kew Gardens in the beaches offers specific shinny schedules available to all, on top of public skating!
Until March 18th, Toronto’s “Winter at Ontario Place” festival will include a synthetic skating rink on the grounds of the old amusement park. The polymer “ice” will stay in perfect conditions no matter what the weather! The rink side Boxcar Social restaurant offers an outdoor DJ on Saturday night to really make visit count.
Bloorcourt has its own spaces for shinny and public skating at Dufferin Grove Park, with two side by side rinks appealing to all.
Rennie Park in the Bloor West Village has a proper hockey rink complete with boards, scoreboards and sound systems, overlooked by an observation room. For others less interested in the sport. The park also offers an open skating trail, accessible at any time.
If you’re in Corktown, head to Regent Park for scheduled shinny, with lights, fencing, washrooms, benches, matting and cubbies to make your skate count.
The courtyard between the Scarborough Town Centre and Civic Centre hosts Albert Campbell Square, a spacious rink for the perfect skate.
The Giovanni Caboto rink in Corso Italia has two ice pads available, offering a good schedule for shinny and public skating.
Located in the Danforth? The rink at Withrow Park is a popular spot with a busy schedule for shinny and public skating.
Dovercourt Village offers all ages scheduled public skating as well as rinks for ice hockey! The Wallace Emerson Park rink is a great destination for the perfect late night skate!
Trinity Bellwoods Park offers a quaint atmosphere at their little rink to go for a skate or play some shinny without the crowds.
Ryerson Community Park - just northeast of Yonge and Dundas is a charming spot for “pond skating.” The quiet, open rink is perfect for impromptu shinny or public skating all hours of the day.
If you’re wandering down Dundas West, head to Bathurst for a game of shimmy, or a relaxed leisure skate in Alexandra Park. The rink acts as a popular destination for visitors of all levels and ages.
Of course you can’t miss the famed Nathan Phillips Square for a holiday skate this winter, equipped with change rooms, snack booths, skate rentals and food trucks!
For a classic “Toronto skate” experience, visit Habourfront for festive loops on the Natrel Rink. Views of the lake and the CN Tower provide the perfect photo op.
Two outdoor rinks can be found at the North Toronto Memorial CRC in Eglinton Park, with generous options for pleasure skating and shinny. The rink is well equipped with lockers and change rooms to store your daytime shoes!
Otter Creek at Yonge and Lawrence holds a popular warming area and change room with its rink acting as a popular multi-generational destination for a variety of skating opportunities.
The skating trail at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Etobicoke is located next to the historical Power Plant building. The figure 8 trail offers an alternative experience for all visitors.
Campbell Avenue Playground in the Junction Triangle offers a lovely rink complete with a snack bar featuring traditional snacks and hot beverages to warm up after your skate.
For a skating experience with an outlook of the city skyline, head over to Christie Pits. Their lovely hockey rink allows for shinny as well as pleasure skating with a view.
Union Station’s Sir John A. McDonald Plaza on Front Street is home to a free outdoor skating rink that runs until the 4th of January. The spot provides lessons and rentals with a free gift-wrapping station available until Christmas Eve!
The covered rink at Greenwood Park in Leslieville has a bright warming room and a spacious rink available for all!
The Markham Civic Centre has one of the largest outdoor skating rinks in the GTA, and is a perfect destination for pleasure skating.
Mel Lastman Square conveniently located in North York is the perfect spot for a quiet uptown skate.
The rink at Cedarvale Park in St. Clair West has a large warming area and a well maintained rink for a multitude of skating activities.
Rosedale’s Ramsden Park has two outdoor rinks and a larger indoor space for staff and guests to enjoy a shinny or two!
The Bentway under the Gardiner provides a figure-eight rink that launches on December 20th, sprinkled with warming shops serving hot drinks. A Polar Bear Skate will be offered on the 30th for those wanting to lose their snowsuits!
The Don Mills Skating Oval hosts an oval rink in the middle of several shops for those wanting to engage in a post-holiday skate! Live musicians will be performing on the ice every Friday night, beginning January 25th.
Are there any hidden gems we’ve missed? Let us know! We can’t wait to get out and skate!
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