Ice, Ice Baby

The only way to get through the winter in Canada is to embrace it. Get out there and have fun.

And when it comes to skating, you want a little outdoor atmo. A good old-fashioned outdoor rink complete with hot chocolate and music is just the thing for winter family fun, so we set out to find the best rinks in and around the GTA for you. 

Harbourfront Natrel Rink is often listed as the best rink in the city—and we have to agree. You can take in a view of the lake, listen to music and enjoy hot chocolate and snacks right downtown. Parking is available next to the rink (not prohibitively expensive and not that much lugging of skates and kids to the rink) and the skating is free. Skate rentals and skate sharpening services are available, as is night skating with lights, music and bevvies. Good to know: Snack food is available but we recommend bringing your own lunch if you go during the day. It gets crowded on the weekends but less so in early evening and not at all during the weekdays. Some Friday nights they have DJ’s so you can channel your inner Dorothy Hamill (without the hairdo) and do a little ice-dancing.

Cedarena in Markham is such a good secret that we have been warned about over-exposing it by the locals (as in “If we tell you, we’ll have to kill you”). This small rustic ice rink surrounded by trees is run by volunteers and is enjoying its 80th year this season. Our scouts tell us it is like going back in time with a small woodstove-heated cabin for lacing up and a snack bar serving hot chocolate and delicious cider. Just 30 minutes from the city centre—$2.50/adults and $1.00/child. Good to know: Onsite washrooms are also “rustic” so bring wipes.

Fans of Dufferin Grove Park Arena are serious die-hards and for good reason. They have developed a kind of community atmosphere not found at any other city rink. Food seems to be what keeps everyone coming back with family faves like organic beef hotdogs, mini pizzas, homemade gourmet soups, the best chocolate oatmeal cookies and fair trade coffee. They have two rinks—one for public skating and one for shinny. Unlike some public rinks in the city, this one allows strollers and chairs for early skaters. You’ll find skate rentals onsite as well as helmets for kids under 7 (no charge). Inside the change rooms are kids books and chess games. Good to know: The famous Friday night dinners (only $6 per person) serve up only organic fare and we’re told Jamie Kennedy cooked one night. Weekends are busy (but worth it) and mid-week is not busy.

Now that’s got to beat sitting around watching The Incredibles for the 25th time.

An honourable mention goes to the Barbara Ann Scott outdoor skating rink—a hidden gem tucked in behind College Park off Yonge St. Don’t expect music but you will have a peaceful environment and you might have the rink to yourself.

Here is a full listing of outdoor rinks in the city.