Skate at the best outdoor skating rinks and skating trails in Calgary this winter.
It’s December, so that means outdoor skating season in Calgary! With so many great ice rinks and skating trails to choose from, you could skate somewhere different every weekend! Our favorite parks have Christmas lights and fire pits (bring marshmallows and roasting sticks), but nearby snack spots and tobogganing hills are an added bonus.
Here are Calgary’s best outdoor skating rinks and what we love about them.
Know Before You Go
- When to go? City-maintained rinks are usually open from mid-December to February, weather permitting. Olympic Plaza, a refrigerated ice surface, is open from mid-November to mid-March.
- Current conditions: Check City of Calgary outdoor skating rink conditions here.
- Cost: It’s free to skate at all city-maintained outdoor rinks in Calgary.
- No skates? No problem. We’ve included rental information, where applicable. Bring your own helmet or rent one, to prevent head injury.
- Can I bring hockey equipment or sleds? Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
The Best Outdoor Skating Rinks and Skating Trails in Calgary
1. Bowness Park
Bowness Park has a beautiful lagoon and 1.6 km riverside skating track to skate on. Park amenities include rentals, dining (Seasons of Bowness Park restaurant & Fresh Market café), picnic areas, benches and fire pits near the lagoon and skating track, and washrooms. There are also crokicurl rinks, two playgrounds, a curling rink, cross country ski trail, and ice bike rentals (ride on the ice – see photo above)! Skate in the evening when the twinkle lights are turned on for a magical experience!
- Address: 8900 48 Ave NW.
- Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily, 5 a.m. – 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.
- Rentals: Ice skate, ice bike, and cross country ski rentals are available on weekends (daily during the holidays) from the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre at the Boathouse.
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
2. Olympic Plaza
Located in the heart of downtown, Olympic Plaza is perfect for a date night or noon hour skate. There are skate rentals and washrooms onsite and lots of dining options on Stephen Avenue. Did you know this is the site of the 1988 Winter Olympic medal presentation ceremonies?
- Address: 228 8 Ave SE
- Hours: Olympic Plaza is open from mid-November to mid-March. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily unless there is a festival/special event. Visit City of Calgary | Olympic Plaza for the current skating schedule before you go.
- Rentals: Skate, helmet, and skating aid rentals are available on weekends from www.calgaryskaterentals.com.
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
3. Carburn Park
Carburn Park Pond is in a lovely, natural setting near the Bow River. There are firepits, lots of benches and picnic tables by the ponds; washrooms (open year round 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.); and at night, Christmas lights make it extra pretty. After skating, walk or snowshoe the 1.5 km trail around the ponds, or enjoy some s’mores and a winter picnic.
- Address: 67 Riverview Dr SE
- Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
4. Barb Scott Park
Barb Scott Park is a beautiful inner city park with an ice rink, benches and tables, and illuminated art installation called Chinook Arc. The park is located in the old schoolyard of Central High School (built in 1908, the sandstone building is now a CBE administrative building).
- Address: 12 Ave & 9 St SW
- Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
5. North Glenmore Park Ice Rink and Skating Trail
Glide along the 730-metre long skating trail at North Glenmore Park, or play hockey at the shinny rink. Twinkle lights, fire pits, and igloo domes make it easy to get cozy after skating. Pack a picnic lunch; this large park boasts several picnic areas and playgrounds with beautiful views of the Glenmore Reservoir. There are also crokicurl rinks and cross country ski trails!
- Address: 7305 Crowchild Trail S.W.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Rentals: Skate, helmet, skating aid, and snowfeet & ski pole (mini cross country skis that attach to winter boots) rentals are available on Saturdays and Sundays from www.calgaryskaterentals.com.
- Notes: Hockey IS permitted at the shinny rink!
6. Rosemont Rinks at Confederation Park
Rosemont Rinks at Confederation Park are lovingly maintained by volunteers and won the award for best outdoor rink in 2011. There are 2 rinks – 1 for skating and 1 for hockey – and a great sledding hill. Sleds and strollers are permitted on the skating rink, but not on the hockey rink for your child’s safety. For current conditions, please visit Rosemont Ice Guys.
In December, don’t miss the Lions’ Festival of Lights on nearby 14th St NW; it’s northwest Calgary’s best Christmas light display!
- Address: 2807 10 St NW
- Open: Mid December until February, weather permitting.
- Notes: 1) The rink is flooded every Monday and Thursday at 8 PM so you must stay off the ice Monday and Thursday nights! 2) Hockey sticks are only permitted on the hockey rink.
7. Central Commons Park, University District
Central Commons Park, a 3-acre park located in University District, just opened in December 2022. It has a lovely rink in the heart of the community, near lots of great eateries. Enjoy a treat from Village Ice Cream or Fuwa Fuwa (Japanese soufflé pancakes), skate past the giant illuminated moose, then warm up at fire features beside the rink.
- Address: Central Commons Park, 4019 University Ave NW (tucked between Borough Bar + Grill and The Banquet)
- Hours: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
8. Spruce Meadows – CLOSED FOR WINTER 2022/2023
At Spruce Meadows, you can ice skate on a pretty pond with an island in the middle, warm up in the Founders Plaza with a cocoa and pastry (5-8 pm), then enjoy a 2-kilometre long Christmas lights drive (5-10 pm). For more information, visit Spruce Meadows.
- Address: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW. Park in Lot 4 (Map).
- Hours: The Skating Rink and Founders Plaza are closed for Winter 2022/2023.
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
More Rinks
Thomson Family Park has a city-maintained rink and playground.
- Address: 1236 16 Ave SW
- Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily (parking is free after 6 pm)
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
Big Marlborough Park has a firepit, walking trails, picnic area, playgrounds, and toboggan hill near the rink, so you can stay and play a while. Don’t forget your sled!
- Address: 6033 Madigan Dr NW
- Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
Prairie Winds Park has two rinks: The North rink (in cricket pitch) is for pleasure skating only, and the South rink (in tennis court is for shinny hockey and pleasure skating. Note that the South Rink is closed for winter 2022/2023. Highlights of this large park include playgrounds, fitness stations, walking trails, a toboggan hill, and picnic shelter.
- Address: 223 Castleridge Blvd NE
- Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily
- Note: Hockey sticks and nets, toboggans, and sleds are not allowed on the ice.
Community Ice Rinks
The best thing about these smaller community rinks is that they’re close to home, and many allow hockey! To find a community rink near you, check out Adopt-a-Rink (over 70 rinks) or your Community’s Page Listing. These rinks are maintained by volunteers, so please consider helping out when you can.
What to Bring and What to Wear
Disclosure: This section includes affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small family business!
What to Bring
1. Skateez training aids, 2. Hockey Plus folding skating aid, 3. A&R Sports bob skates
Pack the essentials in a duffle bag for easy transport:
- ice skates
- blade soaker skate guards (keep your skates dry and protected when not in use)
- hockey helmet or snow helmet
- a rag for drying skate blades
- handwarmers
- If you have very young children skating for the first time, try bob skates (double blades that attach to boots), OR Skateez training aids (like training wheels for ice skates), and a folding skating aid (takes up less space in the car).
What to Wear
When ice skating, it’s important to wear warm, insulated clothing to protect against the cold. Base layers, warm wool socks, insulated winter boots, a down jacket and windproof/waterproof shell (or insulated ski jacket/parka), gloves or mittens, and toque are must-haves. See our fall/winter hiking gear guide for product recommendations.
Tips for First-Time Skating With Kids
See our story Skating Fun for Little Ones for tips on how to make first-time skating fun. Recommended gear: bob skates (double blades that attach to boots), OR Skateez training aids (like training wheels for ice skates), and a folding skating aid (takes up less space in the car).
More Winter Fun
- 15 Fun things to do in Calgary this winter
- Tubing at Winsport’s Acura Tube Park
- Skate on Lake Louise!
- Where to skate, ski, snowshoe and more in Calgary, Kananaskis, and Banff
- The Best Winter Gear for Kids
2 comments
Thanks so much for the detailed trip report, Steph n Todd! 🙂 Sounds like it's worth a visit!!! Free parking, playground, and coffee nearby are definite pluses. I haven't skated at Olympic Oval in a while because I don't want to pay for parking (I find Eau Claire easier as we can walk down from Crescent Heights).
Enjoyed Thomson Park ice rink this week with my 8, 6, & 4 yr olds. Ice is still very 'early season' right now (well, 2 days ago) but is fine and will improve. Wished we could have stayed late enough to see the lights turn on. At first glance it looks a little small but it's actually a great size. There were other kids and adults skating and I didn't feel anyone was was crowded. Good size for my littlest to make his way allllll the way from one side to the other with confidence but not so far he couldn't also get back. It's very comfortable, benches right at the edges, rubber walkway all around, parking right beside (free after 6Pm). And the great playground directly adjacent is a big bonus, the slide down the earth mound is very long as far as playground slides go and was super fast the other day. The Good Earth is a 1/2 block up the street too.
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