Lace up your skates at these Edmonton ice rinks

by Theresa Tesolin

No Canadian winter is complete without a spin around the ice. Edmonton is home to more skating rinks than you can shake a stick at. Here are the best indoor and outdoor skating rinks in YEG. [Image credit: iStock.com/lyn_stock]

The City of Edmonton maintains outdoor rinks in major parks while community leagues manage their own local skating rinks. If you’re looking for skating lessons, there are free drop-in programs at various rinks around town. Bring your own skates and CSA-approved helmet. Before heading out, check the ice conditions of outdoor rinks here.

If you have your own skates, skating on City of Edmonton outdoor rinks is free. Indoor skating at Edmonton recreations centres is also free during public skate hours, otherwise, admission prices apply.

Need to pick up a pair of skates? Visit Totem Outfitters or All Sports & Cycle to pick up some gently used skates. Totem, United Cycle and Skate Tech are solid places to get your skates sharpened.

• Victoria Park Oval. Victoria Park is a scenic place to skate, with the trees providing shelter from the wind on blustery days. The Oval is an outdoor speed skating venue that’s available for public use. The IceWay is a gorgeous skating trail that meanders through the forest close to downtown. The Warming Chalet has all the amenities you’ll need to keep you happily skating all day, including washrooms, lockers and water fountains.
• William Hawrelak Park. Skating at Hawrelak Park feels a bit like escaping the city. The wide open pond, surrounding trees and big prairie sky provide a soothing backdrop for your skating escapade. The weekends get busy, so go during weekdays to avoid the crowds. Warm up at the pavilion with a hot chocolate. Skate rentals and sharpening are available onsite on weekends.
• Rundle Park. Located in the northeastern part of the River Valley, Rundle Park features a number of frozen ponds for skating and others solely for playing shinny. Washrooms are located in the ACT Centre.
• City Hall. The wading pool located at the front of City Hall is transformed into a skating rink during the winter. On Sundays in January and February, drop by for free Swing ‘N’ Skate featuring live music, rentals and dance lessons courtesy of Sugar Swing Dance Club.
• Alberta Legislature. The sprawling south grounds of “the ledge” is where you’ll find a skating rink where you can glide, spin and twirl with the Beaux Arts style building serving as a scenic backdrop.

Head to the comfort of the indoors for skating when the weather gets too cold. Some facilities have drop-in shinny hockey programs.

• Terwillegar Subway Arena. With four fully accessible skating rinks, each with ample dressing rooms, concession stands and vending machines, Terwillegar Arena is one of the premier indoor skating facilities in Edmonton.
• The Meadows Arena. Opened in 2014, this 234,419 square-foot facility is the crown jewel of Edmonton’s southeast. Skate on one of the two NHL-sized rinks. There’s also a free outdoor skating arena, depending on weather conditions.
• Clareview Twin Arenas. Located on the north side, Clareview Twin Arenas features two skating rinks (one of which is Olympic-size). There are dressing rooms with showers and also figure skating dressing rooms. Concessions and vending machines keep your energy levels up.
• Kinsmen Twin Arenas. While Kinsmen Twin Arenas (not to be confused with Kinsmen Sports Centre) is not new and shiny like some other arenas, it remains one of Edmonton’s best-maintained indoor skating facilities. After skating, head upstairs to the pub for some hearty grub.

Bundle up and head to the nearest skating rink for some free (or low-cost) fun. With indoor and outdoor skating rinks in virtually all neighbourhoods, Edmonton is a skate-friendly city.