6 Places to Ice Skate Outdoors Around Vancouver

Skaters at night on the Whistler Olympic Plaza skating rink

Photo: Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova

Skating is a quintessentially Canadian winter activity. With Vancouver’s mild winters, it doesn’t usually get cold enough in the city to skate on frozen ponds. However, thanks to modern technology, you can skate outdoors on man-made rinks. Here are six places to go ice skating outdoors around Vancouver, including two rinks that are brand-new for 2019!

Robson Square, Vancouver

Skating at downtown Vancouver’s Robson Square rink is a Vancouver tradition. It’s got a covered glass dome, which means you can skate in all kinds of weather. There’s no cost to skate, and you can rent skates for $5. This winter the Robson Square rink is open from November 30, 2019, to February 29, 2020. You can skate from 9 am to 9 pm Sunday to Thursday and from 9 am to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. More info: Robson Square.

Skating at Robson Square in Vancouver

Skating outdoors at Robson Square. Photo: David Ward on the Inside Vancouver Flickr pool

 

Shipyard Commons, North Vancouver

North Vancouver’s newly revitalized Shipyard Commons, next to the Lonsdale Quay, is home to one of the region’s newest outdoor ice rinks. The City of North Vancouver is busy putting final touches on the 12,000 square foot space and promises it will open soon. So far they’ve announced that admission will be free and rentals will be available but haven’t given details on hours of operation or prices. More Info: City of North Vancouver

Artists rendering of the what the new Shipyard Commons ice rink in North Vancouver will look like once it is open

Artists rendering of the what the new Shipyard Commons ice rink will look like once it is open. Photo credit: City of North Vancouver

 

Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver

Head up to Grouse Mountain to skate on a mountain-top pond. It’s especially beautiful when it’s snowing! Skating is free with your Grouse Mountain access ticket. If you don’t have your own skates, you can rent adult skates for $8 and kids skates for $5. The skating pond is open from November 22, 2019, until it melts, likely in April 2020. You can skate from 9 am until 10 pm every day. More Info: Grouse Mountain

A group of ice skaters on a frozen pond at Grouse Mountain near Vancouver

Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Rishad Daroowala

 

Outdoor Skating Rink, Harrison Hot Springs

This year Harrison Hot Springs has added outdoor skating to their popular Lights by the Lake winter festival. They’ve set up a rink with a unique synthetic ice surface that is unaffected by weather so you can skate no matter the temperature. The rink is open Thursday to Sunday and holiday Mondays from November 23, 2019, to February 29, 2020. Admission is free and you can also rent skates. More Info: Harrison Hot Springs

Skating at Harrison Hot Springs near Vancouver

Photo credit: Tourism Harrison/Facebook

 

Whistler Olympic Plaza

Each winter Whistler’s Olympic Plaza transforms into an outdoor ice rink. With twinkly lights added to the snowy scene, it’s a real winter wonderland. Admission is free and skate rentals are $7. The Olympic Plaza ice rink is open from 11 am to 8:30 pm every day from November 29, 2019, until late March 2020. More info: Tourism Whistler

A family skating on an outdoor rink in Whistler

Photo credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

 

Tsawwassen Springs Skating on the Fairway, Tsawwassen

Tsawwassen Springs golf course shifts from manicured greens to an icy sheen each winter with the installation of a skating rink. On clear days there are great views of the North Shore mountains. There is no official opening date for the rink yet, but expect to be able to start skating in early December. The ice is open on weeknights from 5 pm until 9 pm and on weekends from 10 am to 9 pm until early January. Skating costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids. They don’t have rentals, so you’ll need to bring your own skates. More info: Tsawwassen Springs

Skating at Tsawwassen Springs golf course near Vancouver

Photo Credit: Tsawwassen Springs

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