Ice Skating is one of the best things to do in Toronto in winter
8 minute Read. Updated November 2024.
Toronto is a winter city. We are blanketed in snow for a third of the year, at least. It gets freezing cold here. Some of our citizens cocoon inside for months or flee to beaches far away. And some of us go ice skating!
Lacing up and hitting the ice at one of the many outdoor ice skating rinks in Toronto is easy and low cost — rinks are generally free, with reasonable rates for skate rentals/helmets etc.
There are more than 50 outdoor rinks run by the city for free, plus more private skating rinks are opening all the time.
Where to go ice skating in Toronto depends on the vibe you’re after. Romantic setting? Raising your heart rate? A safe place to practise on your Bambi legs? Here’s my honest takes on the different outdoor skating rinks in Toronto so you can find the best one for you!
What to Bring Skating in Toronto
Most romantic rink: Nathan Phillips Square
Best West End skate: Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Best Free Lessons: The Bentway
Skating at Evergreen Brickworks
Skating on Grenadier Pond in High Park
Wild Skating on Toronto Island
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Know Before You Go: What to Bring Skating in Toronto
Your own skates. If you can afford it and think you’ll do this more than once, ditch the rental line-up scene and purchase a pair, new or used. Because if you don’t have a good fit, you won’t have a good time. And not every rink offers rentals at all. There’s such freedom in looking outside on a snowy day, thinking “I’d like to skate right now,” and being able to grab and go. Think of it as the difference between a City Bike rental and your own bike. Oh, and it’s the only way to get out on a lake or other unofficial rink, or take an after-hours night skate.
Warm clothes. But not too warm. As with skiing or other winter sports you will heat up once moving. I’ve enjoyed skating in Toronto in -20 weather, but if it’s below zero you’ll want hat and gloves and maybe some handwarmers. Do not wear thick socks though! Your feet will get sweaty and then wet. (I like to wear just tights and then put my socks in my pockets to keep warm for when I change back into my boots.)
A willingness to fall. You will fall down. As long as you don’t crash into a kid you’re fine. Brush the ice off of your butt and keep going.
Best places for outdoor skating in Toronto
Most romantic rink: Nathan Phillips Square
Opens November 23, 2024. 10am to 10pm daily. Rentals available, bring government ID if you want to rent. (Note that they only sharpen hockey skates – a big booooo from me.)
The City Hall skating rink is the quintessential Toronto experience. You get views of our landmark Star Trek-approved towers, the Instagram-famous Toronto sign, and, through the holiday season, a giant Christmas tree and many pretty lights, all smack in the city centre accessible by public transit.
The rink itself is a large oval surface with its own Zamboni, so it’s generally in great condition. They have skate rentals, skate sharpening, a change room, washrooms, and hot chocolate nearby. If you’re lucky you might catch a few advanced figuring skaters practising their spins in the centre. It’s big enough to accommodate all and is especially lovely at night.
Recommended for: Date nights and wowing out-of-town guests.
Hotel Tip: The Sheraton Hotel is right across the street and you can book rooms that face City Hall. Great for watching the skaters and also the most convenient place to stay in Toronto if you want to skate.
Best West End skate: Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Opens November 25, 2024. 10am to 9:30pm. No rentals.
This figure 8-shaped skating trail is a West End favourite. Colonel Samuel Smith Park Skating Trail is not as big as its reputation might suggest, but skating amongst the trees near the lake makes you feel like you’ve left the city. It’s quite popular with families, so expect many little people to swerve around. (And lots of hot dads, just saying.) From downtown, best accessed with a car (free parking lot) although the Queen 501 streetcar will get you there eventually.
Recommended for: People who like nature more than crowds
Best Free Lessons: The Bentway
Opening December 21, 2024 with more details to come. Rentals and sharpening available.
The Bentway Skate Trail is a fantastic use of an otherwise empty urban space near Fort York, with a 220-metre figure-8 style loop with straightaways that are long enough to get some speed going when it’s not too busy.
Waiting on details but during their official hours, Bentway usually has music, rentals, hot chocolate for sale, etc. But there’s nothing preventing you from skating this rink outside their operating times as it’s fully outdoors without barriers. This may be controversial but for a night skate I prefer the Bentway to City Hall, because once the kids go home for dinner you can almost have the place to yourself. They have a shorter operating season than the city rinks though so get in there while you can!
Recommended for: New skaters
Skating at Harboufront
Opening December 21, 2024. 10am to 10pm daily. To 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
It’s BACK! The coolest outdoor ice skating rink in Toronto returns for 2024. Locals love skating at Harbourfront for the sweeping lake views and the bustling Saturday night skate parties with the city’s top DJs. Dress extra warmly as Lake Ontario breezes are no joke! Skate rentals available and on Saturdays they are free!
Recommended for: An alternative to clubbing on Saturday night
Skating at College Park
Open November 23, 2024. 10am to 10pm. No rentals.
The official name of this rink is the Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail. (Scott was an Olympic champion from the 1940s known as “Canada’s Sweetheart.”)
Located just south of College and Yonge (enter from either Yonge or Bay streets), this rink is a quiet downtown alternative to Nathan Phillips Square, with pretty trees and washrooms not too far away inside College Park.
Skating at Evergreen Brickworks
Opening December 2024. Details forthcoming.
This popular East End farmer’s market has a small skating trail that is indoor/outdoor. Skating is free, with affordable rentals available. You can sign up for lessons (child or adult) in January and February. Some information is here.
Skating on Grenadier Pond in High Park
Generally not safe until late January/February
OK so skating is not technically allowed here. But skating in High Park is a community tradition, with locals volunteering to clear the snow and check the ice for safety. If you happen to be here when conditions are right and someone has made a rink, you’ll want to have those skates because it’s a real Toronto winter experience.
Skating on Toronto Island
Generally not safe until late January/February
Another natural space you can skate at your own risk if conditions are right. Taking the ferry over to the Toronto Island in the off season always feels like a real adventure, even more so in deep winter. On a crisp freezing February day, you can find Island residents and intrepid mainlanders skating there, with gorgeous city views and zero crowds. I don’t recommend this for beginner skaters or solo activity. I do recommend talking to a local before stepping out onto any ice to get intel on conditions and taking proper safety precautions.
Read more about the wonderful Toronto Islands here.
Final tip for ice skating in Toronto: Beware the synthetic rink! Any rinks which are not operated by the city, or on a body of water, may not be actual ice. (Like if one pops up on a rooftop.) Owners will tout it’s just like ice but it’s definitely not.
Also don’t make the same mistake I did: always check the City’s skating rinks page before heading out to confirm the rink you want is actually open. They can close due to weather or equipment issues.
Happy skating and if you have your own favourites I missed let me know in the comments. (It’s fun to read things that aren’t Russian porn spam!)
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