Where to go ice skating in Montréal
Outdoor Winter Leisure activites, nature and relaxation
Ice skating in Montréal is as classic as poutine, bagels and the view from Mount Royal. Whether you're here with family, friends or solo, own skates or rent them, and want to glide like an Olympian or learn the basics, a skate around the city's festive rinks makes for an invigorating time well-spent.
Downtown ice dazzles
Right in the heart of downtown Montréal, Esplanade Tranquille becomes a skating rink from mid-November to the beginning of April. You might hear the music before you even see the illuminated outdoor rink at the corner of Saint-Catherine Street and Clark! Rent skates or bring your own for musical mid-day and early-evening skating sessions. Watch for DJ nights for the chance to go “disco dancing” on the ice, and maybe even learn a few moves from instructors on site. And be sure to ice skate by night among the lights of Au Bord du Lac Tranquille, an interactive experience that lets you paint a trail of colourful light behind you as you skate.
Starting in January 2025, Montreal's vibrant Village district will be jumping on the winter party train with its very own refrigerated skating rink. Spanning over 100 meters, the rink is set to transform the corner of Atateken and Sainte-Catherine East streets, offering residents and visitors alike a brand new source of magical winter fun. The outdoor venue will feature warm lighting, a multifunctional stage for shows, and an elevated walkway for spectators to take in the festivities. Special weekend events like DISCO Sundays featuring 1970s music, short film screenings, and various artistic performances are sure to add to the already celebratory vibe of this storied LGBTQ+ neighbourhood.
Riverside in Old Montréal
Of all the places for a skate and snack in the city, the Old Port of Montréal ice skating rink is one of Montréal's most picturesque, with views of Old Montréal's historic architecture, including the neoclassical silver dome of Marché Bonsecours and the angels atop Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (the one in the middle is the “Lady of the Harbour” in Leonard Cohen's song Suzanne), La Grande Roue de Montréal, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and beyond. Among the city's biggest refrigerated outdoor rinks, it opens in early December and doesn't close until winter's over in mid-March, amping up the on-ice fun with DJ nights, cardio workouts, karaoke and other themed events, including a New Year’s event and Valentine’s Day celebrations. You'll also find skate rentals for all ages, lockers and Bistro Bonsecours, where you can warm up, sip hot chocolate and have a snack.
Big ice in the park
Ice skating stands out as one of the highlights of Montréal's many winter activities because it's a great way to see the city and its people while getting exercise that'll add a rosy glow to your cheeks. Go for a skate at the refrigerated Beaver Lake ice skating rink in the famed surroundings of Mount Royal Park and on the natural ice surface in beautiful and quaint Parc La Fontaine in the Plateau neighbourhood – you can rent skates and get skates sharpened at both parks. Natural surroundings, a city view and park amenities make Parc Jean-Drapeau a winter must: this year the park offers a special program of winter activities, including a skater's trail – if you don’t have your own equipment, rent it on site! Or try the pro-sized BLEU BLANC BOUGE refrigerated outdoor rink at Verdun's Willibrord Park, which also offers skate rentals.
Neighbourhood outdoor rinks
If you have your own skates, head to the pond in Parc Jarry near Little Italy or to the wide ice paths of Parc Maisonneuve (near the Jardin Botanique, Montréal’s Botanical Garden, and Planétarium). Many smaller city parks also feature charming outdoor skating rinks and boarded hockey rinks, such as Parc Saint-Viateur in Outremont, Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier and Parc Jeanne-Mance in the Plateau and Parc Toussaint-Louverture near the Saint-Laurent metro station downtown.
For an upscale experience, head to the brand new outdoor skating rink at Royalmount in Midtown. Situated in the mall’s 77, 000 square foot urban park, you can glide along the ice for free while taking in its artfully landscaped views. Bring your own skates, or rent them for a small fee. Later, when your cheeks are rosy and you’ve worked up an appetite, head inside to feast at European-style dining hall, Le FouFou, before indulging in some high-end retail therapy courtesy of Royalmount’s luxury boutiques.
(For information about outdoor skating rink conditions, check the Ville de Montréal website.)
Cool indoors
For a different kind of ice skating experience – one you don’t need a parka for – skate indoors at Atrium Le 1000, a skating rink located in the city’s tallest building, Le 1000, accessible at street level and through the Underground Pedestrian Network. Music, seasonal lighting and year-round events add to the indoor rink’s lively atmosphere. Rent skates at the locker room below the rink, book skating lessons for kids and adults, and fuel your adventures at the nearby food court.
Also, be sure to take a spin on the fresh ice of La TOHU's brand new refrigerated indoor rink, opening December 20, 2024 with a special show and evening of ice dancing. Free programming includes dance nights, ice shows, carnival festivities and more and runs all season until March 9, 2025.
When you're off the ice, watch the Montréal Canadiens NHL team (and their passionate fans) in action at a local sports bar– or nab tickets to a home game at the Bell Centre! And learn about Montréal's history as a port city (on a river frozen part of the year!) in exhibitions at the Pointe-à-Callière museum, MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises and Château Ramezay in Old Montréal, at the McCord Stewart Museum downtown and at the Musée de Lachine along the Lachine Canal.
An eco-friendly rink for all seasons
Whether you dream of carving up the ice under a blazing summer sun, or are simply intrigued by the latest innovations in green skating, Montréal's first all-season eco-rink offers an intriguing proposition. Defying nature's calendar while also honouring the planet, Montreal's Hôtel Ruby Foo's has just unveiled the city's first year-round, outdoor, carbon-neutral skating rink. Named "Les étoiles filantes" (The Shooting Stars), this cutting edge outdoor facility breaks new ground by using recyclable synthetic materials instead of traditional ice. No need to hang up your skates as winter fades, because this eco-conscious rink, situated just minutes from downtown, offers a green way to experience the joy of skating through every season. Access to the rink is free for hotel guests and you can rent skates at the front desk or bring your own.
Locating ice rinks
To locate ice rinks near you (both indoor and outdoor locations) and check their conditions, get the free application Patinoires Montréal or consult Patiner Montréal’s map.
Sarah Beall
Sarah Beall is a writer, editor, and creative who loves food, fun, and all things arts and culture. Her wanderlust has taken her to such places as São Paulo, Brazil, Seoul, South Korea, London, England, and New York, New York, and yet she’s always happiest playing tourist and living the good life in Montreal, the world-class city she’s called home for over 20 years.