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Glide Through Ontario’s Top 11 Skating Trails You NEED to Experience
To be honest, at some point in my life, I wished that I was the cool skater (or roller skater) kid who ramped up the rink, showing everyone the perfect spin or smooth glide.
Maybe it was the freedom of skating across the ice or just the sheer joy of feeling the cold air on my face—either way, I’m glad I indulged this hobby later on in life.
And luckily, regardless if you’re a seasoned skater or just someone looking to enjoy the winter season, Ontario has some of the most breathtaking skating trails that cater to every skill level.
Today, we’ll uncover the best trails that offer not just a skating experience but a memorable winter adventure. Ready to lace up your skates and explore? We hope so, because these trails are waiting for you to try them out!
Arrowhead Provincial Park
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Address: 451 Arrowhead Park Rd
Website: http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/arrowhead
Contact Details: +17057895105
Opening Hours: 24/7
To start showing off your skating skills, we highly recommend heading to Arrowhead Provincial Park, just north of Huntsville. They have this fantastic 1.3-kilometre skating trail that winds through a beautiful frozen forest and it’s hands down one of the best skating spots in Ontario.
If you want to avoid the crowds, midweek is your best bet. But if you’re up for a unique experience, try the Fire and Ice torch skates on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, don’t forget to book your daily vehicle permit online in advance, which costs $21 per vehicle. If you don’t have skates, you can rent them there for $15 for three hours, but make sure to arrive early since rentals are first-come, first-served.
Pro Tip:
For the Fire and Ice torch skate, bring a thermos of hot cocoa. It’s a great way to warm up after skating!
Stanhope Gardens
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Address: East York
Website: N/A
Contact Details: N/A
Opening Hours: 24/7
If you’re a fan of the NHL, particularly Matt Duchene, then you might want to interest yourself in exploring Stanhope Gardens. Matt, who hails from Haliburton, got his start on outdoor ice rinks just like this one.
Stanhope Gardens is a quintessential spot for pond hockey. With its plywood boards and lights, it’s got that classic feel. Plus, admission is free and the rink is open daily until 11 PM.
Halliburton is also famous for hosting the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships every year on its frozen lakes. This event spans two weekends in late January and early February and is a must-see for any hockey enthusiast.
Pro Tip:
To skate more comfortably at the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships, dress in layers. The weather can change quickly, and you’ll want to stay comfortable while you enjoy the games!
Woodview Mountaintop Skating Trail
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Address: 201 Scenic Caves Road Unit AW2, The Blue Mountains
Website: https://www.bluemountain.ca
Contact Details: +18335832583
Opening Hours: Daily 6 AM–4 PM
Got the cravings for a great skating sesh with jaw-dropping views? Head over to Collingwood’s Blue Mountain Resort.
The Woodview Mountaintop Skating Trail is a 1.1-kilometre loop that winds through a forest of snow-covered trees. You’ll even catch some stunning views from the Niagara Escarpment out over Georgian Bay.
You can access the trail via Scenic Caves Road, and the skating season generally runs from January through early March. If you can, go at night.
The magic of thousands of twinkling lights suspended over the ice is something you have to see to believe. A Blue Mountain Winter Attraction Ticket gets you two hours of skating, and they’ve got on-site skate rentals if you need them.
Pro Tip:
Just for the optimal aspect of it, wear reflective clothing or accessories. It helps you stay visible and adds a bit of extra fun to your skating experience!
Cranberry Ice Trail
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Address: 1074 Cranberry Rd, Bala
Website: http://www.cranberry.ca/
Contact Details: +17057623203
Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM–5 PM
If you’re craving a winter adventure that’s as unique as it gets, you’ve got to check out Johnson’s Cranberry Marsh. Imagine skating through frozen cranberry wetlands—this is the heart of the winter outdoor skating experience at the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery in Bala.
When the bogs freeze over in late December, the Johnson family crafts a 1.2-kilometre skating loop around the cranberry field, maintaining it until early to mid-March when spring conditions take over.
Also, you’ll definitely love the nearby waterfall, daily bonfires, and the four separate frozen ponds perfect for playing “bog hockey.”
And after skating, you won’t need to go far for some après-skating fun. The Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery serves a variety of hot mulled and alcoholic drinks, along with cheese plates and other tasty appetizers.
Pro Tip:
For a cozy skating experience, bring a thermos with your favorite hot drink. It’s a great way to stay warm and enjoy the scenery, especially on those tiki torch-lit Saturday nights!
Jarnel Contracting Pavilion
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Address: Bernier Dr, Kenora
Website: http://kenora.ca/en/visit-play/tourism-information-centres.aspx
Contact Details: +18074674637
Opening Hours: 24/7
What we absolutely love about the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion in Kenora is its rich hockey history. Did you know that over a century ago, the Kenora Thistles won the Stanley Cup in a challenge series against some of the best players from Montreal?
You can ponder this cool hockey fact while skating at this covered outdoor rink, which is located right on the Lake of the Woods waterfront in downtown Kenora.
The Pavilion offers one of the longest skating seasons in Ontario, typically starting in mid-December and running through late March.
But if you’re feeling laid back for some reason, then the smaller ice surface here is perfect. Plus, admission is free, so it’s easy to make a day of it.
Pro Tip:
Go during the weekday mornings. It’s less crowded, and you can enjoy a peaceful skate while taking in the beautiful waterfront views.
Kivi Park
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Address: 4472 Long Lake Rd, Sudbury
Website: http://www.kivipark.com/
Contact Details: +17056262531
Opening Hours: 24/7
With how beautiful the woods look from a distance and the topsy-turvy nature of the trail, it shouldn’t even be up for debate – you’ve got to check out Kivi Park in Sudbury. This 480-acre not-for-profit wild space is quickly becoming a year-round hotspot for outdoor activities.
But the best part? The trail is lit up with a cool network of LED lights for night skating—meaning: You can absolutely go nuts and skate till dawn since this pathway is open 24/7!
The trail also has rolling terrain, making it ideal for experienced skaters looking for a bit of a challenge. Day passes are pretty reasonable too—$10 for singles or $25 for families (two adults and up to three youth).
Pro Tip:
Bring a headlamp. Even with the LED lights, a headlamp can help illuminate the path ahead and make your skate even more enjoyable.
Ramsey Lake Skating Path
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Address: Ramsey Lake Rd, Greater Sudbury
Website: N/A
Contact Details: N/A
Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM–8 PM
Ontario has an abundance of lakefronts to go skating, but to us, Ramsey Lake is just on another level. Sudbury, known as the City of Lakes, boasts Ramsey Lake as its centerpiece, located just minutes from downtown.
The 1.5-kilometre-long ribbon of impeccably smooth wild ice stretches from the Sudbury Canoe Club at the corner of McNaughton Terrace and Elizabeth Street to Science North.
The Ramsey Lake Skating Path usually opens in mid to late January and closes by mid-March, depending on ice conditions. But here’s the kicker: Skating is free, though it’s strictly for skating—no hockey, ringette, or shinny allowed.
Pro Tip:
Bring a small backpack with a thermos of hot coffee or tea. It’s a nice way to take a break and warm up without having to leave the ice.
Lee Park Oval and Skating Trail
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Address: 800 Memorial Dr, North Bay
Website: N/A
Contact Details: +17054723932
Opening Hours: 24/7
What’s great about Lee Park is the fact that it offers one of the best family-friendly and fitness skating experiences in North Bay. Located near the Lake Nipissing waterfront on Memorial Drive, the Lee Park Oval and Skating Trail are perfect for a fun day out.
You’ll find an oval skating path along with a unique trail that winds through mixed hardwood and evergreen trees. It’s close to downtown, and the best part is that admission is free too.
Once you tire out from skating, then you’re welcome to warm up with some authentic Indian cuisine from Indra’s Curry House or head over to Cecil’s Brewhouse & Kitchen for a relaxed atmosphere and budget-friendly meals.
Pro Tip:
Wear bright or reflective clothing. It helps you stay visible and adds an extra layer of safety while enjoying the beautifully lit trails.
Clergue Park Skating Trail
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Address: 10 East St, Sault Ste. Marie
Website: http://saultstemarie.ca/
Contact Details: +17057595201
Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM–10 PM
You’ll really get the most out of the skating experience when you visit Clergue Park in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. This place is home to one of Ontario’s best skating trails, quickly becoming a favorite for both locals and visitors.
The smooth, one-kilometer path runs alongside the historic St. Marys River, offering fantastic views of the waterway that connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
You’ll also have a front-row seat to watch the huge freighters that navigate these icy waters until the shipping season closes in late January.
Pro Tip:
Visit during sunset. The lighting over the St. Marys River is absolutely stunning and makes for a magical skating experience.
Kinsmen Park
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Address: Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6J8, Canada
Website: http://www.kinsmenssm.ca/
Contact Details: +17057591920
Opening Hours: Daily 8 AM–10 PM
Will you be meeting the secret “Kingsmen” when skating this rink? Probably not. But you’ll definitely feel like a star at Kinsmen Park in Parry Sound.
This small town is famous for two things: being the gateway to Georgian Bay’s stunning 30,000 Islands and being the hometown of hockey legend Bobby Orr.
Right in the heart of the community on Parry Sound Drive, Kinsmen Park boasts a covered outdoor rink that’s perfect for channeling your inner Orr.
Winter in Parry Sound is delightful without the summer tourist crowds. Warm up with a cup of locally roasted java at Twiggs Coffee, enjoy a meal at the charming Parry Sound Country Kitchen, and try a seasonal microbrew from Trestles Brewing Company or Norse Brewery.
Pro Tip:
Visit during sunset. The lighting over the St. Marys River is absolutely stunning and makes for a magical skating experience.
Massey Rink
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Address: Massey Dr, Ancaster
Website: N/A
Contact Details: +19055463747
Opening Hours: 24/7
If you love outdoor hockey, North Bay has got you covered. Shinny enthusiasts gather at the Massey Rink in West Ferris Lions Park, located in the city’s north end off Massey Drive.
This well-maintained outdoor rink benefits from Northeastern Ontario’s long winters, with the season stretching from the Christmas holidays all the way through to March Break.
After a good game, you can even head over to the Station Taphouse and Steak Co. for some great steak, or if you’re in the mood for pizza, Arugula offers delicious wood-fired Neapolitan options.
Pro Tip:
Come by during weekday afternoons if you can. It’s usually less crowded, giving you more space to enjoy the ice and perfect your game.
