10 of the best outdoor skating rinks in Toronto

Dec 29 2017, 2:38 am

If you haven’t had the chance to dust off your old skates and hit your nearest rink yet, stop what you’re doing – skating season is here.

This winter, there will be 54 outdoor skating rinks (including the Harbourfront Natrel Rink and the new Ontario Place rink) open in the Greater Toronto Area, so regardless of where you live, there’s a rink or two nearby.

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Currently, all but three rinks are open for the season, with the remaining rinks set to open mid-January as temperatures continue to drop.

Here are our top 10 outdoor skating rinks to check out this winter:

Nathan Phillips Square

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Skating at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto is a quintessential winter activity for anyone who lives or is visiting the city. The crowd, the view of city hall, and the fact it’s located in the heart of the city are just a few of the reasons this rink is one of our favourites. Throw in change rooms, washrooms, a snack shop, and skate rentals and you’ve got everything you need for the perfect winter afternoon.

Status: Now open until March 18
Where: 100 Queen Street West

Harbourfront Centre’s Natrel Rink

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Queen’s Quay is easily one of the most beautiful parts of the city, and skating with a view of the lake and the city skyline is a great way to spend a winter day. Harbourfront Centre’s Natrel Rink offers DJ Skate Nights on Saturdays, and admission is free.

Status: Now open until mid-spring (weather dependent)
Where: 235 Queens Quay West             

Greenwood Park

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For those interested in playing a game of shinny, look no further than Greenwood Park. This large rink is actually the City’s first covered outdoor ice rink. There is also an ice skating trail located beside the ice rink for those who want to skate at their own pace.

Status: Open now until March 18
Where:
 150 Greenwood Park

Sherbourne Common

This waterfront skating rink is a nice escape from the downtown core and provides skaters with pristine cityscape views. For those looking for a rink that’s not as busy as Nathan Phillips Square, this is a great alternative.

Status: Open now until March 18
Where: 61 Dockside Drive

Trinity Bellwoods Park

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Toronto’s favourite hipster park is still a hotspot even during the winter months. The park’s outdoor rink is great for a game of pick-up puck or for those looking to unwind with an evening skate. Just make sure to check the rink’s info page to see what days feature public skating or hockey.

Status: Open now until March 18
Where: 790 Queen Street West

Dufferin Grove Park Rink

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This park comes equipped with two side-by-side skating rinks, which is great for those who want to play a game of puck followed by a leisure skate. The rink schedule features something for everyone, with hockey available for beginners to adults.

Status:  Open now until March 18
Where: 875 Dufferin Street

Regent Park South

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This Corktown rink is equipped with great overhead lights for those looking to end their day with an evening skate. There’s both public skating and pickup for all skill levels with skate times available for beginners, youth, and adults.

Status: Open now until March 18
Where: 
480 Shuter Street

Mel Lastman Square

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For those living in the North York area who don’t want to trek all the way downtown to get their skate on, Mel Lastman Square is the perfect outdoor alternative. Keep in mind that the rink is unsupervised so skaters will need to bring their own skates.

Status: Open now until March 18
Where: 
5100 Yonge Street

Ryerson Community Rink

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The outdoor Ryerson Rink is tucked away from the hustle of the city and is the perfect place to play a late night game of shinny or go for a leisure skate with friends. Note that the rink is unsupervised so you’ll be skating at your own risk.

Status: Now until February 25
Where: 50 Gould Street

Ontario Place Skating Rink

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Ontario Place is home to a new synthetic outdoor ice rink this winter. That’s right, Toronto now has another outdoor skating venue! Just imagine getting to skate along the iconic Cinesphere as you take in the picturesque lake and city skyline views.

Status: Open until March 18
Where: 955 Lake Shore Blvd West

Here is the full list of outdoor skating rinks to check out this winter:

– Alexandra Park/Harry Gairey
– Broadlands CC
– Buttonwood Park
– Campbell Avenue Playground
– Cedarvale Park
– Christie Pits
– Colonel Samuel Smith Park
– Dufferin Grove
– Dieppe Park
– Giovanni Caboto
– Glen Long CC
– Greenwood Park
– Harbourfront Natrel Rink
– High Park
– Hodgson Public School Grounds
– Humber Valley Rink
– Irving W Chapley CC
– Jimmie Simpson Park
– Joseph Bannon Park
– Kew Gardens
– Lambton-Kingsway Rink
– Ledbury Park
– McCowan District Park
– Mel Lastman Square
– Monarch Park
– Nathan Phillips Square
– North Toronto Memorial CRC/Eglinton Park
– Ontario Place (New this year)
– Otter Creek Centre
– Prince of Whales
– Queensway Rink
– Ramsden Park
– Regent Park
– Rennie Park
– Riverdale Park East
– Rivercrest Rink
– Rosedale Park
– Royalcrest Rink
– Ryerson Community Park
– Scarborough Civic Centre/Albert Campbell Square
– Sherbourne Common
– Sir Adam Beck Rink
– Summerlea Rink
– Sunnydale Acres Rink
– Trinity Bellwoods
– Valleyfield Park
– Van Horne Park/Pleasantview Rink
– Wallace Emerson Park
– Wedgewood Park
– West Deane Park/Martingrove
– West Mall Rink
– Westgrove Rink
– Westway Outdoor Rink
– Withrow Park

A full list of rink statuses and rink information, updated by the City of Toronto, can be found here.

Ainsley SmithAinsley Smith

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