We have visited the canal for many years but this was our first time trying the ice bike experience, and unfortunately, it will be our last. Renting from Capital Skates turned out to be an incredibly frustrating and frankly unsafe experience. The primary issue is the equipment maintenance: the tires on these "ice bikes" appear to be completely worn down and are clearly not fit for a natural ice surface. With absolutely zero traction, the rear tire just spins in place, leaving you drifting helplessly rather than actually cycling. This lack of grip makes steering nearly impossible; I spent most of the ride fighting a massive lag in responsiveness that nearly sent me veering into the canal edge multiple times. The mechanical failures didn't stop there, as the gear shifter took nearly 15 seconds to actually engage after being moved, making any kind of momentum impossible to maintain. To make matters worse, the business model feels designed to capitalize on their monopoly on the canal. You are forced into a rigid two-hour rental--no more and no less--which is a steep commitment for equipment this poorly maintained at nearly $60 per bike. We attempted to call the business to address these concerns, but the line went to a voicemail that hasn't even been set up. It's a shame that such an iconic Canadian landmark is served by a vendor that seems to have given up on basic maintenance. Save your money and your nerves--stick to traditional skates. read more

Wow! What a cool and unique experience! I learned how to skate as a child but am not a pro. I'm not very good at stopping, as an adult I usually stick to near the edge and run into the boards to stop, but after planning a trip to Ottawa during winter and hearing about this place I knew I needed to try it, and I am so excited I did. I was a little nervous not being a good skater, and having read some reviews that the ice is full of holes and not well surfaced, and that during Winterlude (when we were visiting) it gets crazy I was a little nervous, but I was glad to find that I had no problems. True the ice isn't perfect, that should be anticipated when on an outdoor rink, but it was still an enjoyable experience despite not being a confident skater myself. I went slowly and was able to make it through even rocky areas by holding my husbands hand. I went on Saturday during Winterlude and on Family day and both days were very busy, lots and lots of people on the ice, but that didn't take away from the experience. Faster and better skaters were able to go around me and other slower skaters and they were respectful of those of us who weren't as skilled. If you aren't a skater at all, you should still come and enjoy this cool place! My husband is not a skater and he walked in his boots the entire open length of the canal. I walked it one day and skated it the other day we visited. We also watched lots of others enjoy the space in the same way. I was also nervous about the ice conditions after watching them change between good, fair and poor in the week leading up to our visit. The day I walked the canal it was listed as "very good" and it seemed like it was. The day that I skated it was listed as "fair" and I found it not bad at all. There were certainly areas where the ice was bumpy and some holes but overall even as a weaker skater it was good, so don't let the ice conditions scare you, if you are here in winter give it a try! You can even buy beavertails and other food while still on your skates! Getting on the ice is free, and there are different entrances that have benches, bathrooms, food places, fire pits, places to hang out and so much more! Such a cool and unique experience, plan a trip out to Ottawa in winter ASAP! read more

Rideau Canal Skateway - Beavertails on ice! - Local Flavor Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

See all

Such a highlight for me since moving to Ottawa! I live right by the canal and have loved coming here as a way to keep active all Winter! Ice was very well maintained considering the size and the fact that it's an outdoor rink. They have skate rentals and sharpening services at several locations but would probably avoid renting elsewhere as it is quite expensive We enjoyed many a beaver tail, friendly hangout and workout here this Winter. I'm sad it's coming to an end but look forward to next year. An excellent free winter activity for all ages. read more

Rideau Canal Skateway - Local Flavor Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

If you're visiting Ottawa during the winter and have a modicum of ice skating ability, this is the best thing you'll do in the entire city, and maybe one of the best things you'll do on any vacation period! Without the cramped spaces of the typical ice rink, you can skate on the frozen Rideau Canal without novice skaters in your way for miles and miles, or should I say kilometers. The ice is actually smooth considering it's a Zamboni-less surface and a frozen river at that! Along the way, you'll have views of the parliament buildings in the nation's capital and booths with hot chocolate, snacks, poutine, and even the delectable beaver tail pastry that melts in your mouth!!! Of all my adventures in 78 countries and 7 continents, I'm surprisingly admitting that skating the canal ranks among the most entertaining activities in which I've ever partaken!!! read more

See all

I have gone skating on the Rideau Canal a grand total of twice in the past decade. Why so infrequently, you ask? Well, it's because I hate crowds and I hate the cold. However, it's very cool and I love the idea of being able to skate on the canal and I like the Rideau Canal Skateway in principle, lol. The two times that I went, it was not a smooth skate. There were cracks everywhere and holes. Prior to skating on the canal I had only ever skated in a skating rink. And I would be one of those kids running out to be the first to skate on freshly Zambonied ice, oh I loved that perfectly smooth ice. Let me tell you, the ice is very different, haha. But you don't really go to skate, you go to hang out and chat and have fun. So as long as the ice is safe (i.e. thick enough that you won't fall through and drown), that's all that really matters. There are places along the way to buy food and drinks. There are multiple entry points as well. If you work and live along the canal, you can skate to work. I have co-workers who do this and I've seen other people do it too (a man in a suit and tie carrying a briefcase skating on the canal is quite the sight!). If you are a visitor and don't have your own skates you can rent some. It's definitely a fun thing to do as a tourist and as a local too (if you don't have an aversion to crowds and below freezing temperatures! And even if you do, it's still kind of fun) ;) read more

We went with family this year, in the middle weekend of Winterlude. It turned out to be the best weekend to go there this year, with global warming shutting down the rink after just 28 days, the shortest canal season since we've lived in Ottawa. But it was a "balmy" minus 16º on both days of that weekend (February 11 and 12). The ice surface was really crappy - very cracked and hard to skate on. My hockey player grandson got his skate stuck in one of those cracks and went flying. I am so glad he did not hurt himself! I heard that this year there were some 50 calls out to the ice to help injured skaters! However, that shouldn't even slow you down from getting out there to experience skating on the canal! This is a national treasure! I thoroughly appreciated the new huts, and after our "workout", we got beaver tails and hot chocolates, and since the sap was already running - thanks again to global warming -the kids had something new to them: "tire sur neige" - maple syrup on a stick! Yum!! My dentist will love this! But seriously, this is a must-do when you come to Ottawa in the wintertime. We also went to Jacques Cartier park, which was the first time for me. Very impressed! And lots of fun in spite of the cold. read more

The Rideau ice skating canal was amazing!! I started at Dow's lake and went all the way to downtown Ottawa. There was so many people, and the ice was great to skate on. It is a loooot of skating if you're going to skate the whole thing. But it's totally worth it if you're young like me. There is also a lot of places to rest, and there are lights for when it starts to get dark. read more

See all

After waking up at 3am then driving 9 hours (3 hours through a snow storm between Binghamton and syracuse) we finally arrived in ottawa! Five minutes after lacing up, with a temperature around a balmy 30 degrees fahrenheit, I can say it was all worth it! Welcome to the biggest ice skating rink in the world! What a great way to experience a city. Imagine skating and not seeing the same thing over and over again. You're not going around an ovoid rink, but rather following a canal as it meanders through part of the city. Along the way there were rest stops about every 2 kilometers where one can experience an ottawan (is that what you would call something from ottawa?) delight, beaver tails! The skateway goes for more than 7km. Dont know how long exactly since that is where we turned around. The canal is also a UNESCO site. Check one more off my list of those visited. Before coming here, a friend of mine told me there was nothing to do here. She could not be more wrong! My wife and i love this place in the winter! Its a great place for a holiday weekend getaway. read more

See all

This is a fun Ottawa thing to do when it's cold out. It's available for a couple of months a year. Your time is limited to enjoy this fun event, so make the most out of it! Some information on skating the canal http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway A map for 2012 http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/sites/default/files/pubs/ncc-ccn-map-carte-patinoire-rideau-canal-skateway-2012.pdf There's not much more I can say that others haven't so here are a few tips. The closer you get towards parliament the larger the crowds are. There are multiple entrances onto the canal so if you want to avoid the crowds you may want to enter elsewhere, but there will still be crowds. Take your time and enjoy the day. The ice isn't fantastic but they try their best to maintain it and keep it in the best condition they can. Keep your skates sharp and try to skate the whole canal! read more

I came during the summer so I wasn't able to skate in the skateway but the concept is so amazing and the scenery is beautiful (at least from my summer visit perspective). This skateway is free and is the longest, open, public skating area. It is so neat that you can skate over the canal. During the summer, there are bike/walking pathways alongside the canal. It'll take you through some of the major areas in Ottawa that are worth seeing (for tourists like myself). This includes Major's Hill Park, Parliament Hill, and much more. I would love to come back to Ottawa during the winter to experience the world's largest skating rink (7.8 km). I have never seen anything like this before. During the skating season, it's open from 10-10PM and there are skate rental areas. It's $22/2 hours for skate rentals. read more

Other reviewers have already said it - but it bears repeating. This is a must-do item for anyone visiting Ottawa when the canal skating is open. (Check http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/ - search on skating - to get updates on skateway status.) As the longest outdoor skating rink in the world, it's a site to see. If you are a visitor, you can rent skates. A few thoughts: Check the weather and dress appropriately - that means insulated skates, long underwear, layers on your body, scarf, hat, ski mitts. Bring a knapsack and as you warm up, start stripping down. Better to overdress than under-dress. Bring money - you can buy hot drinks etc., along the way. Plan to enjoy the horribly expensive ice huts on the canal - your tax dollars paid for them, so get your money's worth! (Not saying they were a bad purchase, just that it was expensive.) Don't let cold weather stop you - embrace winter. I was told (but haven't verified myself) that the best time to skate is on a relatively warm winter evening, around 9 p.m, which is just after they flood it. I'm gonna check out that time slot for myself soon. :-) Would I return: yes Would I recommend: yes read more

Skating on the Rideau Canal is a rite of passage for all Ottawa residents and a must-do for tourists in the winter. The canal's ice conditions are often frustratingly inadequate throughout the season, leaving many sections or the entire waterway closed for days at a time, but going on a really nice night with few people skating is a great experience. When it's fully open, the canal stretches from Rideau Street to Dow's Lake. There are a number of concession stands and skate rental shops along the way. During Winterlude, there are also some attractions on the ice, including teepees with Smudging ceremonies and historical sessions. Even if you're a terrible and sometimes grumpy skater like me, I'd still recommend going, even for just an hour. It's a really simple and pleasant experience. Plus it's free! (if you have skates). It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the World's Largest (no longer Longest) skating rink. read more

Rideau Canal Skateway - photo from their website - Local Flavor Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

It's free, it's huge, it's beautiful. I enjoyed the food stands and benches all over, though going on a Saturday afternoon is not a good idea. On any other day the benches offer enough space, Saturdays - not so much. Oh, and be careful, due to the Canal being a mostly natural skating rink the surface isn't even and occasional holes in the ice might appear. read more

Rideau Canal Skateway - Nothern end / start of the skating rink - Local Flavor Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

This would be a 5 star in the winter time. This canal extends for miles through the core of Ottawa and right to Hull Quebec. There are many trails and picturesque views all along this great piece of history. Definitely y one of the top attractions and must sees in Ottawa! read more

See all

This is just one of those things you HAVE to do at least ONCE in your life! Skating on the Rideau Canal is widely-known across Canada to be one of the most popular things to do in the Nation's Capital. Ottawa residents love it, as do visitors and tourists. It's especially fun during Winterlude when there are activities on the Canal, but it can get incredibly packed. People will skate to work or school, skate with their families, go on dates.. everything! Being able to rent skates is great, but being able to skate up to a Beavertail stand is absolutely fantastic - it's fun, tasty, and convenient. Skating on the Rideau Canal, eating Beavertails and drinking hot chocolate or hot apple cider, is so romantic! read more

To me, a skate down the canal is NOT complete without Beavertails. The warm, slightly crispy, and sweet beavertail is perfect on cold winter days, washed down with a rich hot chocolate (theirs is not too sweet)! read more

Rideau Canal Skateway - The beaver bites plus a hot chocolate! - Local Flavor Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

An amazing waterway that starts in Ottawa and runs over 200km. I used to live just 5 minutes' walk from it, and it's a great city feature. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the oldest canal in North America. In the summer the canal is used by boats, but never seems to be very busy. The grassy banks and locks where it meets the river are a great place for picnics. In winter the canal freezes solid and becomes the world's longest skating rink. I was there again just last week. You can rent ice skates at several points, and there are plenty of spots on the ice to stop and rest, get a hot chocolate, or get a snack. You can rent push-sledges for kids that can't skate for long. On a sunny winter day when the ice is thick enough the canal will be packed with people, locals and tourists. It's really the best way to get through the oppressive Ottawa winter. There are paths that run alongside the canal for many miles in and beyond Ottawa, making it great for running and cycling (your ability to do so in winter depends on how much snow they've had). read more

See all

As the only non-Canadian here so far, I feel privileged to say the 8-hour drive from NYC has been well worth it. In fact, I would have happily paid $100+ in gas to go again this year... if we even had a WINTER!!! No, we missed it this year, since we were stuck having to try and go during (American) President's Week. Warm, rainy and careening toward springtime it was during the last weeks of Feb. Waaah! Well, 2010 and 2011 were fantastic and we skated the whole canal over and over. And scarfed down beaver tails and maple taffy and (later) poutine and elk and all kindsa things we don't have in NY. Love it!!! read more

Skating on the Rideau Canal is something everyone who lives in Ottawa should do, heck everyone who visits Ottawa in winter should try to make time to get on the ice. There is something wonderful about going out on a (relatively) warm winter day and watching everyone skating whether it be the parents skating while pushing their kids in strollers, groups of teenagers trying to skate in conga lines or people just learning who spend more time with their butt on the ice than their skates. The 2011-2012 skating season brought new warming huts that are a huge step up from the old ones. They are warm, spacious and plentiful along the skate way. If you don't have skates you can still rent them at a few locations including Dows Lake and near the locks. When you go out don't forget to bring some cash for a beaver tail and coffee/hot chocolate. The Beavertails stands are always crowded but the lines move quickly and it is worth the wait. read more

I live in Ottawa, and frankly, I find it hard to advertise the city to friends from elsewhere, especially in the winter... In winter, it is a place of deep misery where you observe yourself and people around you turn into orcs. The canal skating is really the only thing worth doing here in the winter; more than that, it is worth coming to Ottawa just to skate on the canal! And yes, get the beaver tail. There are both sweet and non-sweet options. read more

Pretty neat that I live 10 minutes away from the largest outdoor skating rink! Despite this, I don't go as much as I would like unfortunately. It seems like we've gotten pretty lucky the last little while and the canal has been consistently frozen, but in the previous years this wasn't the case. When it's busy you can get a beavertail on the canal while you skate! Nothing like consuming calories while burning them! You can also rent skates, which is my main criticism of this place. I've rented skates a few times, and I don't recall it costing as much as it does here, $16 for 2 hours plus a $50 deposit you get back when you return them. You're better off going on kijiji and getting a second hand pair if you plan on renting at least twice. The line was also awful waiting to rent them, I was there for about an hour. It was busy in their defence, but it wasn't busy enough to justify me waiting in line for an hour!! They have signs that tell you how far you've skated, so you can keep track of how many kilometers away you are. I'd love to be able to skate until the end eventually! The ice when we went wasn't the best, but for an outdoor rink it definitely wasn't bad either. There were a few rough patches but for the most part I think they do a good job of keeping the ice as smooth as possible. So go try it out even if its just to say that you did! :) read more

Ottawa's Rideau Canal Skateway I would consider it a travesty to not visit this skateway during a winter visit to Ottawa. The Rideau Canal Skateway holds the Guinness World Record as the world's largest naturally frozen ice rink at a wopping 7.8km!! WORLD'S LARGEST!! One could only imagine how mammoth this frozen landscape is. It is also designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, big! I'll never forget my first experience with the skateway. When I walked down the rubber covered steps from the main road down to the canal, I wasn't sure where exactly where the ice started. This was until 2 skaters zipped right by me. It was then that I realized how massive the canal really was as I had been standing on it. Half way through this foreign landscape of ice is overpass with 8 paintings displayed on the walls, a neat addition for the skater by. Every couple kilometres you will find hot chocolate, snack and Beaver Tail stands. A beaver tail is a fried dough pastry, of course resembling a beaver tail. You can have it topped with cinnamon & sugar, hazelnut and chocolate, nutella, lemon, maple, and other delicious toppings, an absolute must! *A red flag flying over the canal means it is closed to skating; a yellow flag means the conditions are fair to good and a green flag means very good to excellent. Skate rentals available near Mackenzie King Bridge, 5th Avenue, and Dows Lake Pavilion. read more

A man named Brennan made the trip worth every minute to be there. He knew a lot of cool stuff that i knew nothing about and made sure we had an awesome time learning of it. read more

You don't have to skate on the Rideau Canal. I walked it a few times. I got to the 5.5 km point. It was pretty awesome. You can walk towards the Parliment Building and see a lot of things a long the way. You can walk along the trails in the summer or winter which are very maintained. It's in in the heart of Ottawa and is one of those things you have to see in person. You can use it to access the otherside of the canal and get to other parts of the area. The Rideau Canal is best experienced in the winter. If I ever get back to Ottawa in the winter, I'm going back to Canal. I didn't have one, but you can get a beaver tail on the Canal. Who doesn't like a beaver tail? This is another spot in Ottawa that is recommended. It's truly one of the world's greatest treasures. read more

This is something everyone should do. Skate on the longest natural rink in the world! Bundle up for some fun! You can rent there, but it's kind of a pain in the ass. If you have your own skates you can lace up on a bench outside or in one of the chalets and avoid the lines. I've skated during the day and at night. Both awesome!! It's much less busy late at night. Don't expect perfect ice conditions, it's an outdoor surface, so beware of the ruts!! I've had some pretty spectacular falls. All worth it though ;) For me the best part about skating down the Canal is that you don't have to skate around and around and around like you do at a normal rink! You can skate in straight lines! Shocking, i know. The next best thing about the Canal is the rest areas. When you're skating along for a few kilometres it's nice to be able to sit for a few minutes and grab a hot chocolate, or better yet, Beaver Tails. Oh man. SOOO delicious. If you've never had a Beaver Tail... look it up. It's another necessity of any trip to Ottawa. read more

i love this place great place to go on the weekend or after work to spend time with the family! alot of events also like the tulips fest in the summer and the skating in the winter ! read more

- nothing better in the winter than skating along the canal, grabbing a beavertail (HAS to be a killaloe sunrise (cinnamon + sugar + lemon)) and a hot chocolate. - over 7km of skating?! come on. rinks are for suckers. :) read more

You definitely have to skate the canal in your lifetime. It is truly a highlight especially when you do the full length. Just watch out for divets (holes) in the ice or you'll end up on the ice! Best time to go is in the morning where it hasn't been skated on by hundreds of people. Plus, there is daylight too. If you plan to go at night, it is fine at most parts where the streetlights light up the canal. But some sections are dark and if it is pretty late, you may want to bring a flashlight. Must also try one of the few Beaver Tail shops along the canal. read more

Beautiful scenery. .but during the past years I feel it's not as save as it used to be. Ice is thin and soggy (due to the weather) though it's checked I always think twice before going on it. Great way to spend a winter night :) read more

Great place for Walk, run or cycle, rent kayaks, or going for a boat tour while taking a lots of pictures

What's not to like? (Other than not having enough lighting along the way). It's great. read more

New Yorker here - skating the Rideau Canal would easily be in the top 5 vacation experiences of my life. If you have the chance to do it, DO IT! read more

What an amazing thing to have in a city, a beautiful canal to skate on and take in the sights. My boyfriend and I went to Ottawa specifically to skate on the canal. It runs 7.8 kms and features various warming stations, fire pits, and eateries along the way. If you like BeaverTails, then this is the place for you! So many BeaverTails dot the length of the canal, but personally I prefer my favourite Canadian treat: maple taffy poured on snow. Delicious! Our trip to the canal was extra special because we went during Winterlude where we were able to see gorgeous ice sculptures created by artists from around the world and, since it was also during the Olympics, we got to watch Team Canada win a game outdoors alongside many other happy and cheering Canadians. The ice was choppy at times and I totally bailed once and bruised both my knees, but I forgave the canal for this as it was not nature's fault. Plows continually drive up and down to remove the snow and clear the path as best they can, but since this is an outdoor rink the conditions aren't always perfect. Skating on the canal is a beautiful experience and something I hope everyone who visits Ottawa in the winter has the chance to do. It's free and it's fun! It's also quite romantic. What more could you ask for? read more