Crisp air, warm mittens, and a pair of skates strapped on your feet: What better way to spend some time outdoors this winter. While 麻豆传媒映画winters are mild, we still have a few places in and around the city where outdoor ice skating happens in the chillier months.
Outdoor ice skating/Shutterstock
While there are a handful of 鈥渟ure things鈥� when it comes to regularly operated outdoor skating rinks, there are also some public park waterways that may open to skating if the conditions are deemed safe by local authorities--for those, it's all up to Mother Nature.
Here are four scheduled outdoor ice skating venues (and four more public waterways that could potentially open to skating) to check out this winter in and around Metro Vancouver.
Robson Square / Shutterstock
One of Vancouver鈥檚 favourite winter things is free ice skating at Robson Square. Downtown Vancouver鈥檚 only outdoor ice skating rink will operate this winter from December through February. Skate rentals available; cash only.
When: Dec. 1, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019
Where: Robson Square 鈥� 800 Robson St., Vancouver
The 8,000-square-foot聽聽at Grouse Mountain happens to be the only mountaintop skating rink in the lower mainland, and they kick off their skating season in mid-November.聽Admission to the rink is included with a Grouse Mountain Alpine Experience ticket, Snow Pass, or Annual Local鈥檚 Pass. Skate rentals are available for all ages on site.
When: Mid-Nov. 2018-April 2019; check聽聽for details
Where:聽6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Tsawwassen Springs/Facebook
Skate on the fairways outdoors in Tsawwassen for some old fashioned fun. The small rink offers big views of the North Shore Mountains, and a festive atmosphere. No rentals鈥揵ring your own skates. We've confirmed the rink will open for the season this year; a rep says they're aiming for late November, and will post updates to .
Where:聽5133 Springs Blvd., Delta (Tsawwassen)
When: Dates TBD; typically Dec. to Jan.
Skate like a champion in the heart of Whistler Village at the seasonal rink in Olympic Plaza. Hit the ice while enjoying the surrounding views of mountains, the Olympic Rings, and holiday lights. Opening date has been set for Dec. 8 at 11 am. Free admission, skate rentals available for $6.
When: Dec. 8, 2018 -March 2019, weather dependent
Where: Olympic Plaza 鈥撀�4144 Village Stroll, Whistler
Conditional rinks
Girls Skating on Trout Lake, 1929. City of 麻豆传媒映画Archives 99-1902
The City of 麻豆传媒映画allows ice skating on Trout Lake only when conditions permit, and they are very serious about this. Keep an eye out during our colder days for updates about Trout Lake鈥檚 ice conditions; the ice must be 12鈥� thick for the Parks Board to allow skating, which did happen for the first time in 20 years in January 2017.
When: TBD; weather dependent
Where: John Hendry Park 鈥� 3300 Victoria Dr., Vancouver
Just as in Vancouver, outdoor waterways in Richmond must meet rigid conditions to be deemed safe for skating. That said, the pond at Garry Point Park can sometimes meet the requirements; just stay tuned for word that you can hit the ice at this beautiful park south of the city near Steveston.
When: TBD; weather dependent
Where: 12011 Seventh Ave., Richmond
Como Lake Park & Lafarge Lake
Coquitlam鈥檚 Como Lake Park and Lafarge Lake open for skating when conditions permit (i.e. when the ice is at least 12鈥� thick and holding). Coquitlam offers an informative聽聽that covers current conditions and safety information, and they鈥檒l share here if they have deemed Como Lake and Lafarge Lake safe for ice skating.
When: TBD; weather dependent
Where: Como Lake Park 鈥撀�700 Gatensbury St., Coquitlam; Lafarge Lake at Town Centre Park 鈥� 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
