Skating, Toronto

A fun thing to do in the winter in Toronto is going skating on one of the outside skating rinks. This one I saw at the Toronto Harbour. Wow, it was so busy, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves a lot. There is some music playing to add to the atmosphere :-)

The skating rink is open 7 days a week, 10 a.m.- 10 p.m., weather permitting of course :-) The admission is free and you can rent skates if you forgot to bring your own. It's also possible to sharpen your skates here. Plenty of food and drink in the building at the skating rink and there are also changing rooms available.

Skate rentals :
Adults $7
Children/Seniors $5
Group Rate (10+) $5
(Mon. to Fri. only)

Skate sharpening $5 a pair

In front of the North York City Hall is Mel Lastman Square, and a little "cement pond" where ice skating takes place. It is a great place for families, couples, and groups of friends to spend some time during the day or at night.

Equipment: I'm really not sure if there is any skate rental, but that is recommended.
There are some vendors with hot chocolate around.

You can also go skating on the Nathan Phillips Square in the heart of Toronto. Really fun to do probably, but as you could see the ice rink was closed when I was there at the End of November. I am not exactly sure when it opens but I saw a lot of skaters here a month later. Unfortunately I didn't have the time to give it a try that day.

One of the most common memories of children who grow up in Toronto is being taken to go skating at the pond/skating rink in Nathan Phillips Square. During the summer this is a reflecting pool like any other, but during the winter it is turned into an outdoor rink where you can skate in the somewhat romantic atmosphere of the City Hall. Recently, there have been problems during the beginning and end of the season, because it has been too warm to keep the ice frozen, but there's certainly no problem in January or February. The rink itself is small, but its only really busy weekend nights or if you come when school groups are here. If you come down to skate on a Tuesday or Wednesday night it shouldn't be too busy.

Equipment: You needn't bring anything of your own - you can rent skates and other equipment here. Of course, if you have your own you're more than welcome. I can't remember if the rent helmets as well, but I can't imagine they would allow children to skate without one.

It fun to skate at the rink in Nathan Philip Square (City Hall)

Equipment: Bring your own or rent at the square.