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 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 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
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
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
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
Photo Credit: Tsawwassen Springs
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