Where to go ice skating in Montréal

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.

Montréal's vibrant Village district jumps on the winter party train with its very own refrigerated skating rink. Spanning over 100 meters, the rink transforms 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 features 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.

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.

If you have your own skates, head 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.

Also, be sure to take a spin on the fresh ice of La TOHU's brand new refrigerated outdoor rink, 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.

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.

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.