Disclaimer: This web page could include affiliate hyperlinks. Please overview our full Phrases and Situations for extra info and our Privateness Coverage. Be aware that any pricing, working hours, or different such info offered under could have modified since preliminary publication.
Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta workforce
Final up to date on January 11, 2024
When the temps dip under freezing, people get excited to strap on a pair of skates and go ice skating in Calgary. As soon as the ice is thick sufficient, there are many spots across the metropolis for a leisurely skate. Whether or not it’s outside on a pond, an outside rink or an indoor facility, there are many decisions for the place to go.
The Greatest Locations to Go Ice Skating in Calgary
Bowness Park
Location: 8900 48 Ave NW
Maybe one of the well-known spots for public skating in Calgary, Bowness Park has unbelievable outside ice skating in winter. Skating on the Bowness Park Lagoon is extremely widespread, however there’s additionally the unbelievable ice path that takes you down 1.6 kilometres on the frozen Bow River.
Bowness Park itself is a haven for winter actions; apart from the outside skating, there’s additionally cross-country snowboarding, ice bikes, croki-curl, curling, and hearth pits to get pleasure from. In case you solely have one alternative to go skating in Calgary this winter, accomplish that at Bowness Park.
North Glenmore Park
Location: 7305 Crowchild Path SW
One of many nicest locations to skate in Calgary is in North Glenmore Park. Right here, you’ll discover a 730-metre ice path that’s excellent for pleasure skating amongst the bushes on a wonderful winter’s day.
There are additionally different locations to skate on the west finish of the park close to the 37 Avenue SW park entrance, together with a shinny-hockey rink. One other enormous bonus of skating at North Glenmore Park? There are skate leases accessible!
Barb Scott Park
Location: 1009 12 Ave SW
Open from 5 a.m. till 11 p.m. day-after-day, the Barb Scott Park skating rink is among the finest locations for outside ice skating in Calgary; not solely is the downtown location extremely handy, it additionally comes with a wonderful backdrop. Proper subsequent to the Chinook Arc, you get to benefit from the sculpture and its smooth, vibrant glow as you skate.
Olympic Plaza
Location: 228 8 Ave SE
You may’t discuss ice skating in Calgary with out mentioning the Olympic Plaza. A big outside skating rink that’s excellent for an city skate, that is an particularly widespread spot at evening. Initially inbuilt 1988 for the Olympic Winter Video games, the plaza has one of many solely outside refrigerated skating rinks within the metropolis.
Ensure to maintain an eye fixed out for occasions on the outside rink at Olympic Plaza; typically, there’s music, mild shows, and extra all through the season.
Prairie Winds Park
Location: 223 Castleridge Blvd NE
You’ll discover two rinks at Prairie Winds Park: the North Rink and the South Rink. Open day by day from 5 am to 11 pm – providing you with ample alternative to slot in a while to skate – it’s excellent for pleasure skating, household skating and extra.
Whereas not one of the Metropolis of Calgary outside skating rinks enable for hockey sticks or nets, Prairie Winds Park continues to be a highly regarded spot for spending high quality time on the ice.
Massive Marlborough Park
Location: 6033 Madigan Dr. NE
Massive Marlborough Park may be very widespread in winter in Calgary as there’s a unbelievable outside rink in addition to a toboggan hill. Another facilities on the park embrace giant parking heaps, hearth rings to maintain heat, and close by bleachers to have the ability to tie your skates.
Prince’s Island Park
Location: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW
Skating on the Eau Claire Lagoon in Prince’s Island Park is a kind of outside skating rink experiences you need to positively attempt in Calgary. With the attractive setting of the park – it’s dwelling to many festivals all year long due to its magnificence – it’s the proper spot for a date evening or household skate.
Please notice that the Prince’s Island Park skating rink is closed for the 2023/2024 season as a result of building.
Carburn Park
Location: 67 Riverview Drive SE
Probably the most beloved parks in southeast Calgary, it’s additionally dwelling to one of the widespread outside skating rinks within the metropolis.
With picnic tables, hearth pits, and extra, this location alongside the Bow River is ideal for while you need a bit of peace and serenity whereas nonetheless staying within the metropolis.
West Confederation Park
Location: 2836 Canmore Rd NW
Generally known as North Capitol Hill Park, West Confederation Park has a model new outside skating rink open to the general public positioned in the northeast nook of the park, between the tennis courts and the baseball subject.
A terrific spot for the entire household, there’s seasonal lighting, picnic tables, benches, hearth pits, and two geo-domes so that you can heat up in.
Please notice that the 2023/24 season is a trial run for this skating rink, so it could not open in future years.
Thomson Household Park
Location: 1236 16 Ave SW
Thomson Household Park is a reasonably new addition to Calgary, however it’s already one of the widespread spots within the metropolis for outside ice skating! With an important location – you’re a straightforward stroll to the buying and eating places of seventeenth Avenue – a skate in Thomson Household Park is a unbelievable method to spend a wintry day within the metropolis.
Central Commons Park
Location: 4410 College Ave NW
With over three acres to discover, Central Commons Park has one thing for everybody. Surrounded by outlets, eating places, and a cinema, in winter there’s a skating rink, picnic tables, public washrooms, hearth pits, and extra.
Go for a skate after which go to one of many close by eating places for the proper winter night in Calgary!
College of Calgary Olympic Oval
Location: 288 Collegiate Blvd NW
Constructed for the Calgary Olympic Video games in 1988, the indoor College of Calgary Olympic Oval is open to the general public for leisure skating! Whereas it’s recognized for pace skating – it’s known as “the quickest ice on the planet” – there are alternatives for public skating for all ages.
There are skate and helmet leases accessible (you need to put on a helmet when skating right here) and it’s attainable to purchase a season go if you understand you’ll ceaselessly go to the rink.
Southland Leisure Centre
Location: 2000 D Southland Dr SW
Fancy an indoor skating rink? Head to the Southland Leisure Centre, one of many two leisure centres owned and operated by the Metropolis of Calgary.
With two indoor arenas, there’s drop-in leisure skating and sports activities, though you’re additionally capable of e-book the rinks for determine skating, hockey, ringette, birthday events, and extra.
Undertake-a-Rink Program
The Undertake-a-Rink Program in Calgary is run by volunteers in native communities. By means of this program, volunteers assist flood and preserve present group pleasure skating rinks everywhere in the metropolis of Calgary. And with over 65 outside skating rinks run by volunteers in Calgary, you’re by no means too removed from one!
All the adopt-a-rinks are free, however some are solely accessible to members of the group. There aren’t any hockey sticks or pucks allowed on any of the adopt-a-rink skating rinks, as they’re for pleasure skating solely.
Pete is a co-founder of Street Journey Alberta. Rising up in Edmonton he has an intensive information of Alberta and the whole lot the province has to supply. He likes to eat good meals, hike (particularly within the winter), play tennis and curl. Other than working Street Journey Alberta, he’s a director with HMI, a digital media company, half of the Hecktic Travels duo, and a co-creator of the favored card sport Journey Chaser.