When do outdoor rinks open in Ottawa?
The City of Ottawa starts building outdoor rinks once overnight lows stay around −10 °C for several days in a row — usually mid-to-late December — and community volunteers flood them in layers. Most rinks run until the first long thaw, typically late February or early March. Refrigerated rinks (like the one at City Hall) open earlier and close later.
Right now
296 Closed
Weather estimate: Closed — Too warm for natural ice: 72-hour average 5.3°C.
Refrigerated rinks open first
- Ice condition: Closed · 9 min ago · estimateCentrepointe - Briargreen · 101 Centrepointe Dr.LitRefrigeratedChange hutWashrooms
- Ice condition: Closed · 9 min ago · estimateElmvale - Canterbury · 2185 Arch St.BoardsLitRefrigeratedChange hutWashrooms
- Ice condition: Closed · 9 min ago · estimateGlebe-Dows Lake · 450 Queen Elizabeth Drwy.LitRefrigeratedChange hutWashrooms
- Ice condition: Closed · 9 min ago · estimateCentretown · 110 Laurier Ave. W.BoardsLitRefrigeratedChange hut
Questions
When do outdoor rinks open in Ottawa?
The City of Ottawa starts building outdoor rinks once overnight lows stay around −10 °C for several days in a row — usually mid-to-late December — and community volunteers flood them in layers. Most rinks run until the first long thaw, typically late February or early March. Refrigerated rinks (like the one at City Hall) open earlier and close later.
Are any Ottawa outdoor rinks open right now?
0 of 296 rinks currently score as skateable on LocalFaceoff.
How cold does it have to be?
Volunteers need several consecutive days with highs below 0 °C and lows near −10 °C to build a base. One rainy or +5 °C day can set a rink back by a week.