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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta group
Final up to date on January 11, 2024
When the temps dip beneath 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 out of doors on a pond, an outside rink or an indoor facility, there are many selections for the place to go.
The Finest Locations to Go Ice Skating in Calgary
Bowness Park
Location: 8900 48 Ave NW
Maybe probably the most well-known spots for public skating in Calgary, Bowness Park has implausible out of doors ice skating in winter. Skating on the Bowness Park Lagoon is extremely standard, 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; in addition to the out of doors skating, there’s additionally cross-country snowboarding, ice bikes, croki-curl, curling, and hearth pits to get pleasure from. In the event you solely have one alternative to go skating in Calgary this winter, achieve this 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 good for pleasure skating amongst the bushes on a good looking 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 large bonus of skating at North Glenmore Park? There are skate leases obtainable!
Barb Scott Park
Location: 1009 12 Ave SW
Open from 5 a.m. till 11 p.m. each day, the Barb Scott Park skating rink is without doubt one of the finest locations for out of doors ice skating in Calgary; not solely is the downtown location extremely handy, it additionally comes with a good looking backdrop. Proper subsequent to the Chinook Arc, you get to benefit from the sculpture and its gentle, vibrant glow as you skate.
Olympic Plaza
Location: 228 8 Ave SE
You may’t speak about ice skating in Calgary with out mentioning the Olympic Plaza. A big out of doors skating rink that’s good for an city skate, that is an particularly standard spot at evening. Initially inbuilt 1988 for the Olympic Winter Video games, the plaza has one of many solely out of doors refrigerated skating rinks within the metropolis.
Ensure to maintain an eye fixed out for occasions on the out of doors rink at Olympic Plaza; generally, 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 – supplying you with ample alternative to slot in a while to skate – it’s good for pleasure skating, household skating and extra.
Whereas not one of the Metropolis of Calgary out of doors skating rinks permit for hockey sticks or nets, Prairie Winds Park remains to be a very talked-about spot for spending high quality time on the ice.
Large Marlborough Park
Location: 6033 Madigan Dr. NE
Large Marlborough Park could be very standard in winter in Calgary as there’s a implausible out of doors rink in addition to a toboggan hill. Another facilities on the park embody 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 out of doors skating rink experiences you need to positively attempt in Calgary. With the beautiful setting of the park – it’s residence 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 because of building.
Carburn Park
Location: 67 Riverview Drive SE
Probably the most beloved parks in southeast Calgary, it’s additionally residence to probably the most standard out of doors skating rinks within the metropolis.
With picnic tables, hearth pits, and extra, this location alongside the Bow River is ideal for while you need just a little peace and serenity whereas nonetheless staying within the metropolis.
West Confederation Park
Location: 2836 Canmore Rd NW
Typically known as North Capitol Hill Park, West Confederation Park has a model new out of doors skating rink open to the general public positioned in the northeast nook of the park, between the tennis courts and the baseball discipline.
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 might 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 probably the most standard spots within the metropolis for out of doors ice skating! With an ideal location – you’re a straightforward stroll to the purchasing and eating places of seventeenth Avenue – a skate in Thomson Household Park is a implausible strategy 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 velocity skating – it’s referred to as “the quickest ice on the earth” – there are alternatives for public skating for all ages.
There are skate and helmet leases obtainable (you could put on a helmet when skating right here) and it’s potential to purchase a season go if you understand you’ll continuously 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 neighborhood pleasure skating rinks everywhere in the metropolis of Calgary. And with over 65 out of doors 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 neighborhood. There are not 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 Highway Journey Alberta. Rising up in Edmonton he has an in depth data 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. Aside from operating Highway 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.