Outdoor skating rinks in Toronto are scattered across neighbourhoods throughout the city. One of Toronto's urban gems, our network of artificial ice pads and shinny rinks ensures that there's outdoor fun even in the midst of the coldest weather.
And, not to forget, there are also plenty of natural rinks that pop up when the mercury dips as well as the scenic Grenadier Pond, which is now closely monitored by the city for safe ice conditions.
Many of Toronto's rinks are located in parks and feature a dual set-up for pleasure skating and hockey, but there are a few facilities out there that break with this model in favour of something more novel like skating trails and covered rinks.
Here are my picks for Toronto's most noteworthy skating rinks followed by a map of every outdoor ice rink in the city.
Christie Pits
If you're looking for a game of shinny while enjoying a remarkable view of the Toronto skyline, head to Christie Pits. It's features a well maintained hockey rink along with pleasure skating and has generous hours.
Colonel Samuel Smith Skating Trail
The Toronto area only has a few skating trails, and Etobicoke's Colonel Samuel Smith Skating Trail is arguably the best of them all. It's a figure eight shaped trail that offers a nice change of pace from your basic outdoor skating rink.
Ontario Place
A trip to Ontario Place during the winter will fill your evening with great eats and stunning light installations by local artists. Aside from that, one of the highlights is the synthetic skating rink, which is illuminated with magical lights around it.
Greenwood Park
Greenwood Park is one of Toronto's only covered rinks, which makes it the best destination when the snow is falling hard. It even boasts a warming room allowing non-skaters to hang out and watch.
Grenadier Pond
You know Toronto has reached peak winter when you can officially skate on Grenadier Pond in High Park. There are only about a dozen days in a normal winter when the ice is expected to be skateable, so keep your eyes peeled for updates on conditions.
Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink
Natrel Rink's location, shape and amenities make for a thrilling skate. There are plenty of benches along the rink and a large change room to warm up and store your things. You'll also find a cafe with warm drinks and snacks and on Saturdays they host DJ skate nights.
Mel Lastman Square
For those who live north of the 401, the centrally located Mel Lastman Square is a must-visit. The North York rink is great for day-skating and those who want to partake in outdoor fun after midnight.
Nathan Phillips Square
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, this rink is often a tad overcrowded. Still, Nathan Phillips Square is one of the best equipped rinks in the city, with change rooms, lots of food options, and rentals. Sometimes the crowd is just part of the fun.
Regent Park
The rink at Regent Park is equipped with washrooms, cubbies, benches and matting. The rink, found at Shuter and Sumach, has a great schedule for shinny, with lights and fencing for improved playing.
Ryerson Rink
Ryerson Rink is the closest you'll get to pond skating in downtown Toronto. It's also a great spot for when you're looking for a place to play a late night game of shinny.
Riverdale Park East
For the 2017/2018 season Toronto is getting a new ice rink and skating trail at Riverdale Park East. The new rink and trail are part of the city's North-East Quadrant revitalization project.
Sherbourne Common
If you're itching to go for a skate with a spectacular view, look no further than Sherbourne Common. Lace up your blades and hit this rink, which is flanked with the beautiful backdrop of Lake Ontario and Toronto's skyline. Bundle up, though. It gets windy here!
Note: This map lists only those rinks open for the 2017-2018 skating season. If a rink is closed for maintenance, it has not been included here even though it might be back in service next winter. Natural rinks are marked in brown and are weather dependent.
by Jaclyn Skrobacky via blogTO
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