The 13 BEST Spots for Ice Skating in Calgary

Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta workforce

Final up to date on January 11, 2024

When the temps dip beneath freezing, of us 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 out of doors rink or an indoor facility, there are many selections for the place to go.

The Greatest Locations to Go Ice Skating in Calgary

Bowness Park

Location: 8900 48 Ave NW

Maybe one of the crucial well-known spots for public skating in Calgary, Bowness Park has unbelievable out of doors ice skating in winter. Skating on the Bowness Park Lagoon is extremely widespread, 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; moreover 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, accomplish that 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 fantastic winter’s day.

There are additionally different locations to skate on the west finish of the park close to the 37 Road 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. day-after-day, the Barb Scott Park skating rink is likely one of the greatest locations for out of doors ice skating in Calgary; not solely is the downtown location extremely handy, it additionally comes with a fantastic 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’ll be able to’t discuss 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 widespread spot at night time. Initially in-built 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 a watch out for occasions on the out of doors rink at Olympic Plaza; generally, there’s music, gentle 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 enable for hockey sticks or nets, Prairie Winds Park continues to be a very fashionable spot for spending high quality time on the ice.

Massive Marlborough Park

Location: 6033 Madigan Dr. NE

Massive Marlborough Park may be very widespread in winter in Calgary as there’s a unbelievable out of doors rink in addition to a toboggan hill. Another facilities on the park embody massive parking tons, 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 type of out of doors skating rink experiences you need to undoubtedly strive in Calgary. With the attractive setting of the park – it’s dwelling to many festivals all year long due to its magnificence – it’s the proper spot for a date night time or household skate.

Please be aware that the Prince’s Island Park skating rink is closed for the 2023/2024 season as a result of development.

Carburn Park

Location: 67 Riverview Drive SE

Probably the most beloved parks in southeast Calgary, it’s additionally dwelling to one of the crucial widespread out of doors skating rinks within the metropolis.

With picnic tables, hearth pits, and extra, this location alongside the Bow River is ideal for whenever you need slightly 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 situated 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 be aware 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 one of the crucial widespread spots within the metropolis for out of doors ice skating! With an excellent location – you’re a simple stroll to the buying and eating places of seventeenth Avenue – a skate in Thomson Household Park is a unbelievable 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 identified for velocity skating – it’s referred to as “the quickest ice on the planet” – there are alternatives for public skating for all ages.

There are skate and helmet leases obtainable (it’s essential to put on a helmet when skating right here) and it’s potential to purchase a season move if you understand you’ll ceaselessly 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 may be 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 way of this program, volunteers assist flood and keep 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 aren’t 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 Street Journey Alberta. Rising up in Edmonton he has an in depth information of Alberta and all the pieces the province has to supply. He likes to eat good meals, hike (particularly within the winter), play tennis and curl. Other than working Street 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 recreation Journey Chaser.