Outdoor Rinks!

We all know Montreal is like one big skating rink in the winter when it snows, hails and pelts freezing rain. Sometimes our only defence seems like to stay inside with a hot cup of tea until they sprinkle the sidewalks with salt. However, we have other alternatives! When it's too icy to walk uphill to the gym and the streets aren't cleared to go for a run, that's when it's time to layer on the warm clothes, sling your skates over your shoulder and head for the park around the corner.


What better way to spend your weekends other than partaking in a truly Canadian sport? Despite the appeal to skate to school on some frigid mornings, check out Montreal's many outdoor (and free!) rinks. Some have chalets so you don't have to freeze your fingers as you lace up, but many are just a frozen section in the middle of a park.

Parc Lafontaine

This weekend I went skating at the rink in Parc Lafontaine (south of Rue Rachel and east of St-Denis by a few blocks) and had a blast! There were quite a few people but the section maintained as a rink is massive so there was no issue of bumping to people. I hadn't been skating in about 10 months, but for me it's like riding a bike. I was lucky enough to have my parents teach me to skate around the same time I was learning to walk so it's second nature. Toss in years of competitive figure skating and I'm practically at home when I step on the ice. Skating is one of those sports that everyone can enjoy no matter skill level or age and is perfect for group outings!

Try it this weekend! All outdoor rinks are free. If you don't have your own skates, cheap rentals are available at chalets like at Parc Lafontaine and at Beaver Lake on Mont Royal. Click here for a map of all outdoor rinks in the city!
*Note: some are specified for shinny hockey and other activities (see the coloured icons at the bottom of the page).

So grab your skates, grab your friends and go skating!

- Martlet Girl