Skating Rinks to discover in the Outaouais
The drop in temperature over the last few days heralds the start of skating season! With warm socks and sharp blades on your feet, it’s time to discover winter’s magnificent ephemeral icy trails. From urban setting to pristine forest, there’s no lack of choice: there are more than 100 outdoor rinks in the vast Outaouais region! From the Pontiac to Gatineau by way of the Petite Nation, here are some spots to have fun on the ice and get a breath of (very) fresh air!
*Due to weather conditions, rink opening times may vary. Please check the websites or Facebook pages of the various sites before your visit.
Patinage en forêt (Collines-de-l’Outaouais)
The Lac-des-Loups skating rink has a solid reputation as a unique skating destination. Just 45 minutes from Gatineau, enjoy a three-kilometre natural trail winding through a beautiful coniferous forest … and sheltered from wind gusts! Romantic, enchanting, magical: you’ll be in the middle of the woods.
9 Montée Beausoleil, Lac-des-Loups
Open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset.
Day pass (tax included): Adult $18, child $14. Access to snowshoe and hiking trails: $10 per person. Free for children 5 and under.
Online reservations required. Skate rental and sharpening available on site. You can also go snowshoeing and hiking.
Brewery Creek skating rink (Gatineau)
Find your winter bliss on the Brewery Creek skating rink! Skate through the heart of Old Hull over a distance of more than 420 metres. The spacious ice surface is the ideal place to learn the joys of skating.
69 Montcalm Street, Gatineau
The trailer is open Monday to Friday from 4:30 pm to 10 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm.
Free
Accès Gatineau + cardholders can borrow skates.
Parc Omega skating rink (Petite Nation)
The skating rink at Parc Omega is back this year! Besides following the safari trail to observe and feed the animals, you can enjoy the winter activities offered on the site: snowshoeing, hiking, treetop walkway and wolf observatory. The whole family will appreciate the outdoor fireplaces for warming up, as well as the OmegaBon Restaurant to satisfy appetites large and small.
399 Route 323 North, Montebello
Open daily.
Price of admission includes all activities.
Please bring your own skates.
Golf Heritage skating rink (Petite Nation)
Explore the ice pond at Golf Heritage this winter! In addition to skating, kilometers of trails are available for a multitude of activities: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. After your getaway, warm your red cheeks by the outdoor fires and grab a bite to eat at the snack bar.
70 Rt. 323, Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix
Open daily.
Free
Skate rentals available on site: $15 (adult); $10 (child).
Lac Beauchamp skating rink (Gatineau)
Fill up on fresh air on the Lac Beauchamp skating oval, in a magical setting just minutes from downtown! In addition to enjoying the skating rink, young and old alike can also go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking or tubing.
741 Maloney Blvd. E., Gatineau
Park open: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Outdoor center pavilion open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free
Equipment rental is free with the Accès Gatineau + card. For a 3-hour block, skate rental normally costs $8.50.
The Trois-Clochers ice trail in Maniwaki (Vallée-de-la-Gatineau)
The iconic Trois Clochers recreation area in Maniwaki has a 1.6-km ice trail in a magical setting. Vallée-de-la-Gatineau skaters will especially appreciate its wooded section and its proximity to snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, accessible from the Trois Clochers Pavilion and the Christ-Roi sector.
274 Des Oblats Street, Maniwaki
Open daily.
Free!
Fort-Coulonge iced pawn (Pontiac)
Going for a skate in Fort-Coulonge? You can do it on the pawn on Baume street in Fort-Coulonge ! Extend the fun by exploring the 10 kilometres of hiking and cross-country ski trails at the magnificent Patro Fort-Coulonge nature park.
209 De la Passe Road, Mansfield
Open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Free!
Petit Pingouin Trail at the Touraine Golf Club (Gatineau)
There’s a lot of buzz about The Little Penguin Trail in Gatineau! The ice surface is several kilometres long and follows the golf cart paths. The result is impressive, and the people of Gatineau are loving it!
312 Taché Road, Gatineau
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Daily rates (taxes included): $77 (family), $22 (adult); $17 (child). Free for children under 5.
You can pay on site or book online via the website.
With all these great suggestions, there’s no excuse for not getting out there and getting some ice time! In Gatineau alone, there are more than 80 outdoor skating rinks to discover (information available in French only); you’re sure to find one near your house!
Dull skates can put a damper on your outing. Don’t forget to sharpen your blades before starting the season! Several stores currently offer this service, including Sport Échange Outaouais, Sports Experts, Marc Sports La Source du sport, and Sports aux puces Outaouais.
So what are you waiting for? See you on the ice!
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