Photo cred - Michael Vesia
Strapping on hard shoes with shiny knives attached to the bottom to glide around on frozen water at the nearest park, otherwise known as ice skating, is a Canadian staple of any winter season, and a fun way to get some fresh air while getting a little physical activity in you. You can show off your stellar stick-handling abilities to all your friends or soar majestically across the ice with blades of glory. Whatever your preference, the city of Montreal is nice enough to set up numerous outdoor skating rinks all over town so you can make the most of winter and we thought you'd like to know where to find some of them.
Depending on the weather, rinks generally get put up starting mid-December, though some a bit earlier, and last until mid-March. Be sure to check the Ville De Montreal portal here or you dial 311 for exact dates and ice conditions.
Click here for the Best Montreal Outdoor Skating Rinks >
Photo cred - nantel
Bonsecours Basin
Opening Times:Monday to Wednesday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Admission: $6
Rentals: ice skate rental - $8, locker lock rental -$4
Located right on the Old Port, the Bonsecours Basin is a great place to go for a laid-back skate with your family, out-of-towners, or that special someone and enjoy all the charm of Old Montreal as a backdrop. While there is an admission fee, the Bonsecours Basin rink is pimped out with pretty lights and musically-themed nights, and offers skate and locker rentals. You can click here for more details.
Jeanne-Mance Park
Opening Times: Daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m
Admission: Free
Rentals: No rental service
Is there anything this park can't do? You spent your summer chilling out here, now you can literally chill here this winter at the free outdoor skating rink. Located right across for the Tams, Parc Jeanne-Mance is super easy to get to and is ideal for a little "pond hockey" with pals. Nets and boards are provided, but you will have to bring your own skates and sticks. You can click here for more details.
Beaver Lake
Opening Times: Daily from 6 a.m. to Midnight
Admission: Free
Rentals: ice skate rental - $9, locker lock rental - $3.25
One of the most scenic rinks in town, Beaver Lake is nestled atop Mount Royal and makes an excellent place to escape some of the hustle and bustle of downtown. A favourite spot among locals, Beaver Lake does tend to get packed on weekends, so bare that in mind. Skate and locker rentals are available as well. You can click here for more details.
Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Park
Opening Times: Daily from 9 a.m to 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Rentals: No rental service
Everyone loves to go to Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Park in the summer for low-key picnics and the kick-ass swimming pool, but it also offers plenty of good times in the winter as well. Use one of 3 hockey rinks with boards, or practice your best spins in the free-skate rink including musical accompaniment, and forget summer ever existed! Ok, maybe not. But the park does also offer a chalet and free WiFi!
Olympic Park
Opening Times: Monday - Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m
Admission: Free
Rentals: No rental services
The Big O is bringing back its Winter Village this year and included along with all the festivities is the return of its free outdoor skating rink. With live music, family-friendly activities, and even the erection of a giant Rockefeller-style Christmas Tree, this makes is a perfect way to spend some time with family and friends if you're looking for something fun to do over the holidays. You can click here for more details.
Walter-Stewart Park
Opening Times: Daily from 9 a.m to 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Rentals: No rental service
Classic neighbourhood rink, nothing fancy, but Walter-Stewart Park in the east-end is solid a choice for a good skate around and/or some night-time shinney hockey. It's free but bring your own skates.
Jarry Park
Opening Times: Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Rentals: No rental service
Located near the Jean-Talon Market, Jarry Park's artificial lake is a sweet spot to get your freestyle skate on, or take advantage of the separate ice rink for a little hockey. You can click here for more details.
Photo cred - @parjeandrapeau
Jean-Drapeau
Opening Times: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During Fête Des Neiges:Friday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Rentals: ice skate rental - $9
More of a long circular path than a traditional rink, Jean-Drapeau offers both a little escape from the city as well as a beautiful view of Montreal's iconic skyline. With refrigerated paths and speakers set up along the way, take in the serenity of the St-Laurence river passing by, and be sure to check out all the other fun things going on during Fête Des Neiges.
Parc La Fontaine
Opening Times: Weekdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Weekends from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m
Admission: Free
Rentals: Ice skate rental - $8, locker lock rental -$3
The awesomness that is La Fontaine Park turns into one big ol' skating rink every winter, offering lots of free-skating down winding, frozen paths as well as a dedicated boarded rink for you hockey players. You can click here for more details.
Toussaint-Louverture Park
Opening Times: Daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Rentals: No rental service
A bit of a hidden gem, Toussaint-Louverture Park, tucked away in the middle a brick housing complex just off Ontario Street, is ideal for pick-up hockey games (or broomball if you're into that sort of thing) with your buds. You won't be able to rent skates there, but the city does provide some shovels for the rink and a heated chalet.
Willibrord Park
Opening Times: Daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Rentals: No rental service
Willibrord Park in Verdun is host to the Bleu Blanc Rouge skating rink and one of the finer choices for skating in the city. Donated by the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation, the Blue Blanc Rouge rink features a state-of-the-art refrigerated surface and was built to match the exact dimensions of the rink at the Bell Centre. You can click here for more details.
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