Where to go ice skating in Montréal
This article was updated on February 13, 2019.
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 (you can rent skates at both parks), on the pond in Parc Jarry near Little Italy, and along the wide ice paths in Parc Maisonneuve. Many of the city's smaller parks 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 St. Lawrence River, a festively lit, refrigerated rink with themed music nights, skate rentals and more. From mid-January to early February, family-focused winter festival Fête des neiges includes a meandering ice skating path with river views in Parc Jean-Drapeau, also home to the Biosphère and Stewart Museum. On weekends from January through to mid-March, go ice skating, snow skating and ice sliding at free event Les Jeux d'hiver at the Esplanade Financière Sun Life (near the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, Montréal Biodôme and Montréal Botanical Garden), also featuring a heated chalet space, café-bistro and winter games for all ages.
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. When you're off the ice, watch the Montréal Canadiens NHL action at the Bell Centre or see a Les Canadiennes CWHL game. Cheer for hockey and other pro winter sports in comfort and with company at the best sports bars in Montréal. And learn about Montréal's history as a port city (on a river frozen part of the year!) at the Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology and History Complex, Centre d'histoire de Montréal and Château Ramezay in Old Montréal, as well as at the Musée de Lachine.
