5 fun things to do on ice this winter in Toronto

Fun ice activities aren't dependent on the weather in Toronto because thankfully we're blessed with a myriad of skating surfaces all across the city. If you want to take advantage of the season, Toronto's outdoor rinks generally stay open from late November until mid-March. And if you're not into skating, there are still plenty of other ways to hit the ice.

Here are five fun things to do on ice this winter in Toronto.

Skate a trail
Toronto has numerous outdoor ice rinks and a few include skating trails. The Brick Works, Etobicoke's Colonel Samuel Smith Skating Trail and the Greenwood Park rink in Leslieville are all good options. Those north of Steeles can skate on the Richmond Green Skate Trail in Richmond Hill.

Go curling
Canada excels at this on-ice sport, so why not pick up a broom and give it a try? Luckily, you don't need to join one of Toronto's many curling clubs to test it out. Instead, you can rent equipment and book free ice time thanks to the Toronto Curling Association.

Play a game of shinny at Maple Leaf Gardens
The iconic Maple Leaf Gardens is now the home to Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre. Thankfully, you can still hop on this historic sheet of ice to play friendly games of shinny in the shadows of the Original Six. For more shinny options, see this post.

Go night skating
There are plenty of rinks around the city that are open at night from neighbourhood spots like Wallace-Emerson to tried-and-true destinations like Nathan Phillips Square. Some keep the lights on as late as 3 a.m.

Cosplay and skate
Like a Disney-on-ice show that you can participate in, this grassroots Winter Wonderland event is happening at the Harbourfront Centre's outdoor rink on January 30, 2016. Pay homage to your favourite fandom while skating by the lakeside. And if you stick around into the evening, you'll even get to party at the weekly DJ Skate Night.

Did I miss your favourite on-ice activity? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Photo by twurdeman in the blogTO Flickr pool.

by Amy Grief via blogTO