You’ve probably seen the postcard. A ribbon of white ice winding through a Gothic cityscape, thousands of people gliding along with red-cheeked smiles, maybe a BeaverTail in hand. It looks like a winter fairy tale. But honestly, if you just show up in Ottawa expecting a perfect 7.8-kilometre glass surface every day of January, you’re probably going to be disappointed.
Ice skating the Rideau Canal is less like a visit to a public rink and more like an expedition. It’s raw. It’s weather-dependent. It’s a massive logistical miracle managed by the National Capital Commission (NCC) that lives and dies by the thermometer. As of January 17, 2026, we are right in the thick of a wild season. Just yesterday, the full length of the skateway finally reopened after a week of rain and "mild" weather that threatened to shut the whole thing down. That’s the reality of the Canal now.
It’s the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink, and it’s fighting for its life against shorter winters.
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The 30-Centimetre Rule and Why It Matters
Most people think once the water looks frozen, it’s time to lace up. That’s a great way to end up in the drink. The NCC won't even think about opening a section until the ice is roughly 30 centimetres thick. Why so thick? Because they need to get heavy equipment—like those "Froster" ice resurfacers and massive snowblowers—out there without the whole thing cracking.
Basically, you need 10 to 14 consecutive days of deep freeze. We’re talking -10°C to -20°C. If it hits 2°C for an afternoon? The ice turns to slush, the weight of the snow pushes the ice down, and water seeps up through "pressure cracks."
It’s Not One Big Rink
The Skateway is actually a series of connected sections. It runs from the National Arts Centre (NAC) downtown all the way to the Hartwell Locks at Carleton University.
- Downtown / National Arts Centre: The most iconic views but often the busiest.
- Fifth Avenue: This is the hub. You’ll find the first aid trailer here and plenty of food.
- Dow’s Lake: A massive wide-open space that feels more like a traditional pond.
Because the canal varies in depth and width, some spots freeze faster than others. You might find the stretch near the University of Ottawa open while the area near the Patterson Creek bridge is still red-flagged.
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What Actually Happens Out There (The BeaverTail Factor)
If you haven’t had a BeaverTail, did you even visit Ottawa? It’s a fried dough pastry stretched to look like a—you guessed it—beaver tail. Get the "Killaloe Sunrise" (cinnamon, sugar, and a squeeze of fresh lemon). It is the unofficial fuel of the Skateway.
You’ll find these kiosks right on the ice. There’s something bizarrely Canadian about standing on a frozen river in -15°C weather, wearing skates, eating a piece of hot dough while steam rises off your hot chocolate.
But it’s not just about snacks.
The Skateway is a legitimate commuter route. You’ll see civil servants in suits with backpacks skating to work, and university students zipping between classes. It’s a 7.8-kilometre multi-lane highway for blades.
A Quick Word on Gear
Don't bring your high-end figure skates with the massive toe picks. The Canal is natural ice. It has "re-entrant cracks," bumps, and frozen-in slush. A toe pick will catch a ridge and send you flying. Most locals use hockey skates or "touring skates" (long blades that clip onto cross-country ski boots).
If you don't own skates, you can rent them at the downtown entrance or at Fifth Avenue. It's usually around $35 for a few hours. Pro tip: Wear thin wool socks. Thick cotton socks actually make your feet colder because they trap sweat.
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The Climate Reality Nobody Likes to Talk About
We have to be honest: ice skating the Rideau Canal is becoming a bit of a gamble. In 2023, for the first time in over 50 years, the Skateway didn't open at all. Zero days.
The NCC is currently working with experts like Shawn Kenny from Carleton University to figure out how to "grow" ice faster. They’re testing snow fans and even "snow bots" to clear the insulating layers of snow that prevent the ice from thickening.
Even in a "good" year like 2025, which saw 52 days of skating, the season is shorter than it was in the 70s. Back then, the average was nearly 60 days. Now, we’re lucky to get 40.
Surviving Your First Canal Skate
Don’t try to skate the whole 15.6 kilometres (round trip) on your first day. You’ll be walking like a penguin for a week.
- Check the Flag: Green means go. Red means the ice is literally dangerous or being worked on. Do not ignore the red flag; the NCC can and will fine you, but more importantly, you might fall into a soft spot.
- Use the Changing Huts: They are heated. They are lifesavers. There are also "shelves" where you can leave your boots, but most people just carry them in a backpack so they can exit the canal at a different point than where they started.
- Shuffle, Don't Glide: When you hit a patch of "shell ice" (thin layers of ice over air pockets), keep your weight centered.
- The Wind is Real: Usually, the wind blows from Dow's Lake toward downtown. If you start downtown and skate south, you’re skating into the wind. Plan accordingly or you’ll be exhausted by the time you reach the 4km mark.
Why It Still Matters
Despite the erratic weather and the occasionally bumpy ice, there is nothing like it. When the sun sets and the lights of the Parliament Buildings start to twinkle, and you're gliding under the Laurier Bridge... it's pure magic.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that doubles as a playground. It’s where Ottawa finds its soul in the middle of a brutal winter.
If you’re planning to visit this year, keep your plans flexible. Check the NCC’s "Ice Conditions" page every single morning. If the flags are green, drop everything and go. You never know when a warm front might sweep in and end the party.
To make the most of your trip, check the current ice status on the official NCC website before you even leave your hotel, and try to aim for a mid-week skate to avoid the massive Saturday afternoon crowds near the snack stands.