About Rideau Canal Skateway
The Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is 7.8 km (4.8 miles) long. This is the largest skating rink in the world with a total maintained surface area equivalent to 90 Olympic size skating rinks. It is a naturally frozen UNESCO World Heritage site stretching through the heart of Ottawa from Downtown to Dow’s Lake. The Skateway first opened in the winter of 1970-71 on the idea of the newly-appointed NCC chair Doug Fullerton. It runs between Mackenzie King and Laurier bridges, later extended to Dow’s Lake.
- Skating Experience
- With over six square miles of ice to skate on, there is plenty of room even on busy days.
- There are rest stops along the canal with fire pits, kiosks, mini lodges, equipment rentals, and hot chocolate.
- A must-try is the classic Canadian “Beaver Tail" pastry – a deep-fried cinnamon and sugar delight.
- Preparations and Season
- Preparations start in mid-October when the boating season ends.
- The opening and closure are weather-dependent. The skating season typically lasts 26 days.
Where is the world’s largest skating rink?