Where to go ice skating in Montréal
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, here to glide like an Olympian or learn the basics, a skate around the city's festive rinks always make for a memorable time.
Park ice
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 some exercise that'll add a rosy glow to your cheeks. Go for a skate in the park at picturesque outdoor rinks in the famed natural surroundings of Mount-Royal Park and in beautiful and quaint Parc La Fontaine in the Plateau neighbourhood (both with skate rentals), on the pond in Parc Jarry near Little Italy, and along the wide ice paths in Parc Maisonneuve. Many of city's smaller city also feature small outdoor rinks and boarded hockey rinks.
Old Montréal and beyond
Take Old Montréal's cobblestone streets down to the Old Port of Montréal's Natrel Skating Rink next to the Saint-Lawrence River, a festively lit, refrigerated rink with themed music nights, skate rentals and more. In late January and early February, family-focused winter festival Fêtes des Neiges includes a meandering ice skating path with river views in Parc Jean-Drapeau, also home to the Biosphère and Stewart Museum. And from December through to mid-March, the fully-equipped V Winter Village at Olympic Park (near the Biodôme and Planetarium) welcomes skaters of all levels to its refrigerated rink.
Cool indoors
If the weather isn't cooperating or you just prefer to skate indoors, it's time for Atrium le 1000. Located on the main floor of one of downtown's tallest and most recognizable skyscrapers, the bright and airy rink features skate rentals and sharpening, a food court and a direct underground link to Bonaventure metro station. Learn more about Montréal's on-ice history at the Pointe-à-Callière museum's Passion: Hockey exhibition – the museum also hosts free Spring Break activities outdoors, including hockey and lacrosse for the whole family.
Sports action
Take your skates off but stay on the ice with old-fashioned curling at the Stewart Museum. And when you're off the ice, watch the action of a Montréal Canadiens NHL game or a Les Canadiennes CWHL game. Or cheer for the Winter Olympic Games, NHL hockey and more in comfort and with company at the best sports bars in Montréal.
