Best outdoor skating trails in Canada

Outdoor skating trails has recently become one of the most popular winter activities in Canada, transforming once seasonal paths into year-round routes. Grab your skates and head to one of these destinations to see for yourself why Canadians can’t get enough of them.

Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville, Ontario

In Arrowhead Provincial Park you will find Ontario’s longest man-made ice skating trail, stretching 1.3km and weaving through forest and wilderness. It has been a bit with locals and visitors alike since it opened in 2012, in no small part thanks to the Fire and Ice nights, where the trail is lined with flaming torches.

A 10-minute drive from the park, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Huntsville has free on-site parking, making it easy to get to and from the trail.

Red River Mutual Trail in Winnipeg, Manitoba

When the Assiniboine and Red Rivers freeze over, the Red River Mutual Trail is officially open to the public. Situated in the heart of Winnipeg, the length of the trail varies each year but always stretches for at least a couple of kilometres. Fortunately,warming huts are set up along the route so that you can thaw out a bit before continuing on with your skate.

All guests at the iconic Fort Garry Hotel are offered complimentary coffee and tea delivery in the morning, perfect to warm you up before you make your way down the road to the start of the trail.

Magog Skating Trail in Magog, Quebec

Following the shoreline of Lake Mephrémagog, on the border of Quebec and Vermont, is the Magog Skating Trail. On either end of the 2.5km ‘sentier glacé’ (icy trail), you will find warming huts with skate rentals – the perfect place to warm up while taking in the 360 degree-views of the frozen lake and mountains.

Located directly on Lake Mephrémagog, a stay at [Hotel et Spa Etoile sur le lac] (https://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/et-spa-etoile-sur-le-lac.en-gb.html) means you can enjoy the lake and mountain views both on and off the ice.

Shipyards Skating Loop in Whitehorse, Yukon

During the winter months, the Whitehorse locals swap their rollerblades for ice skates and head to the rollerblading path turned skating loop in Shipyards Park. The capital of Yukon – the smallest Canadian territory – Whitehorse has limited daylight hours during the winter months, but the converted path is lit by trailside fire pits and warming huts, giving it a cosy feeling even on the coldest days.

Only 500 metres from Shipyards Park, the on-site retaurant at Yukon Inn serves homely meals, perfect for warming up with after a day spent on the ice.

Lake Windermere Whiteway in Invermere, British Columbia

At over 30km in length, the Lake Windermere Whiteway holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest naturally-frozen skating path. The trail connects Invermere and Windermere and skating along it is a great way to see both of these lakeside communities. The trail itself has three entry points: one at Kinsmen beach in Invermere, one at Inverement Bay Condos, and one at Windermere beach.

Lake Windermere Point’s self-service apartment is just a few blocks away from the lake and only 14km from Radium Hot Springs.