People are skating on these Metro Vancouver ponds despite City warnings

It’s an explosion of Canadiana out there in Metro Vancouver after a series of bone-chillingly cold days left many local ponds frozen, and folks are lacing up their skates to play a little shinny.

Some of the most popular spots saw lots of families enjoy some time on the ice, despite having to ignore the signs posted around the ponds warning against it.

While we don’t encourage people to skate on thin ice, for obvious reasons, here’s a roundup of where some people are choosing to risk it before the weather warms up to more seasonal Metro Vancouver conditions and the ice sadly melts.

Trout Lake

Rarely below freezing temperatures in Vancouver, people laced up and bundled up to skate and play hockey on Trout Lake in east Vancouver this morning. #bcstorm #Hockey #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/kzDRztpWaE

— Michael Ianni (@michaelianni) January 14, 2024

Always a popular spot when it freezes in Vancouver, the East Vancouver favourite was packed with skaters over the weekend, as well as some who questioned the safety of it all.

Weird how ABC will send dozens of Park Cops to decamp vulnerable people during a coldsnap but when it comes to actually facilitating the public safety they can’t have a single ranger prevent people from skating and walking on dangerously thin ice.https://t.co/LZxg3HfvaT

— Jordan Ross 🌱(they/them) (@JordanVegBike) January 15, 2024

Address: 2120 E 19th Avenue, Vancouver

Brydon Lagoon

Natalie Fenton/Submitted

Carrying hot chocolate and hockey sticks, lots of Langley families came out to Langley’s Brydon Lagoon over the weekend to enjoy some winter fun. The lagoon is southwest of Brydon Park and is not normally a hot spot for cold-weather activities!

Address: 19850 53rd Avenue, Langley

Como Lake

City of Coquitlam/X

Lots of people were spotted on the ice at Coquitlam’s Como Lake over the weekend, despite warnings from the city that it was unsafe. The City posted on social media that while it might look thick enough, it’s not.

“It may look frozen, but it can be deceptive. By being on the ice, you are putting yourself, others, and our first responders at risk,” the City said.

Address: 700 Gatensbury Street, Coquitlam

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The safest option: Robson Square

Robson Square Ice Rink (Daniel Chai/Daily Hive)

It’s outside, it’s close to transit, you can rent skates, and the risk of falling through the ice is zero if you head to Robson Square this week. The rink is open until the end of February, so if you are sad you missed out on the outdoor ponds this weekend, you can still get your fix for the next few weeks.

Did you skate this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.