It’s getting chilly in Toronto and that has everyone thinking about outdoor winter activities. Opportunities for ice skating have become more plentiful in the city in recent years, with freeform paths being built in parks and even under highways! Outdoor skating is one of those rare activities that families of all ages can enjoy together during the long and cold winter months. With rosy cheeks and mitten-covered hands, you can skate, spin and play shinny, so here is our Guide to the Best Spots to Go Outdoor Skating in Toronto…
Note: Depending on weather conditions, outdoor rinks maintained by the City of Toronto are open from late November until March (unless stated otherwise. Check out their full list of locations and hours here.
The Bentway Skate Trail
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Tucked away under the Gardiner Expressway, this skating path has a distinctly urban vibe. Season runs from December 21 to Family Day (February 17, 2025).
College Park
Where: 420 Yonge St.
It is possible to have a relaxing skate downtown, even when surrounded by shops, condos and office buildings, at the Barbara Ann Scott skating path at College Park. This track is also popular with roller skaters in summer months.
Evergreen Brick Works
Where: 550 Bayview Ave.
Rentals, free public skating, lessons and special events take place at this beautiful rink that weaves through the surrounding gardens. Skating lessons start in January and public skating runs December 21 to March.
Harbourfront Centre Rink
Where: 235 Queens Quay West
Skating at Harbourfront is back! Enjoy scenic days and nights of skating at the edge of Lake Ontario, from December 21 to March 16.
Nathan Phillips Square
Where: 100 Queen St. West
Skate under the Freedom Arches at this popular outdoor ice rink, from November 30, 2024 to January 7, 2025 at the Cavalcade of Lights Festival. In addition, skate rentals and indoor change rooms are available.
Paul Quarrington Ice Rink at Sherbourne Common
Where: 61 Dockside Drive
A splash pad in summer and skating pond in winter, this area of Sherbourne Common provides a lovely waterfront view while engaging in physical activity. Enjoy a leisurely or brisk skate while taking in the city’s wonderful sites.
Sid Smith Artificial Ice Rink at Christie Pits Park
Where: 750 Bloor St. West
How very Canadian (and Torontonian, in particular) to name an outdoor skating rink for a former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs! You can even learn how to play hockey here too, plus leisure skating and more.
Toronto Metropolitan University Square
Where: 50 Gould Street
Acting as a meeting point of the TMU (formerly Ryerson University), Toronto Metropolitan University Square is an unsupervised rink. Be aware that there are no change rooms available.
Giovanni Caboto Rink at Joseph J. Piccininni Community Centre
Where: 1367 St. Clair Ave. West
This park, which also has a popular outdoor pool in summer, has a skating pad and rink combination that is a winter hub along Corso Italia.
Rennie Park
Where: 1 Rennie Terrace
This park has a large open rink with electronic scoreboard for a competitive game of shinny, plus a freeform skating pad next door for a more casual experience.
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Where: 790 Queen St. West
Located in a park that is a hub for recreational activity during all seasons. Plus, public skate, casual shinny games and registered lessons are available here.
Wallace Emerson Park
Where: 1260 Dufferin St.
This park and community centre at Dufferin & Dupont has a double pad ice rink with changing facilities.
Dieppe Park
Where: 455 Cosburn Ave.
This East York park has an outdoor artificial ice rink and is extremely popular in the winter time due to the double-pad rink which allows for non-stop public skate.
Greenwood Park
Where: 150 Greenwood Ave.
This popular winter spot has a busy pleasure-skating trail as well as a large covered rink for playing an invigorating game of recreational shinny.
Kew Gardens
Where: 2075 Queen St. East
This rink by the beach has a small grandstand so your friends and family can cheer you on as you play shinny. Skating lessons are also popular here.
Riverdale Park East
Where: 550 Broadview Ave.
With the downtown skyline as a backdrop and tobogganers whooshing down the steep hill nearby, you can also skate on a rink or skating trail beside it.
Albert Campbell Square
Where: 150 Borough Drive
Located in a courtyard by the Scarborough Town Centre, this is a lovely spot to go skating after doing some shopping.
McCowan District Park
Where: 150 McCowan Road
This Scarborough park includes both a rink and skating trail that meanders around wintery landscaping.
Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Where: 3145 Lake Shore Blvd. West
One of the most picturesque skating options in the city, this outdoor path in Etobicoke expands into a figure-eight shape and covers 250 metres of ice trail. It is also located near lots of wildlife and natural beauty.
Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Park
Where: 80 Mcmahon Dr. East, North York
Formerly named Woodsy Park, Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ (pronounced Etta-nonna wasti-nuh) means “where they had a good, beautiful life” in Wendat, featuring an outdoor skating loop.
Ledbury Rink
Where: 160 Ledbury St.
An outdoor pool becomes a rink perfect for shinny near Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West.
Mel Lastman Square
Where: 5100 Yonge St.
The small pond at Mel Lastman Square makes for a great family skating rink in winter time. Located at the North York Civic Centre, it’s great for beginners to enjoy an afternoon of leisure.
Hold on to your cash with help from our list of Cheapies and Freebies here!
