Skaters take to the ice along Rideau Canal Skateway
Residents and visitors flock to the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest skating rink, as it opens for the season. This is the first time the skateway opened in December since 2018.
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Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa A skater makes their way along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on Monday, March 2, 2026. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
People skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway People skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on Monday, March 2, 2026. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa People skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on Monday, March 2, 2026. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa People skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on Monday, March 2, 2026. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway People are seen through a span of the Bank Street Canal Bridge as they skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on Monday, March 2, 2026. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway Paul Wubben and John Fahey take a skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway on March 2, 2026. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)
Beavertail Dale and Nancy Duncan have a BeaverTail and hot chocolate on the Rideau Canal Skateway. March 2, 2026. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skaters on the Rideau Canal Skateway on Sunday, March 1. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 Ice sprays from a person's hockey skate as they make their way amid soft conditions on the Rideau Canal Skateway during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 People skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 Runners head down the Flora Footbridge after crossing over the Rideau Canal and ice skaters on the Skateway below during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 People take photos as a ray of evening sun shines on the Rideau Canal Skateway during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 A skater makes their way along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 A skater falls on the Rideau Canal Skateway after the ice surface deteriorated with the day's warm temperature, during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 People skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 People skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 People skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the final weekend of Winterlude, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 The green steel arches of the Laurier Bridge span the Rideau Canal Skateway in downtown Ottawa in January 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 A BeaverTails stand along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa in January 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 A young skater passes by Dows Lake Pavilion along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on January 5, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 People skate under the historic Laurier Bridge spanning the Rideau Canal Skateway in downtown Ottawa in January 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 The Dows access point along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on January 5, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 Skating along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on January 5, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 A young skater using an assist to practise gliding along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on January 5, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 The sun shines bright overhead as people enjoy the day skating along Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on January 2, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 The Flora Footbridge over the Rideau Canal near Fifth Avenue can be seen as ice skaters enjoy their day along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on January 2, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 Residents and visitors enjoy the day skating along Rideau Canal Skateway near the Pretoria Bridge in Ottawa on January 2, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 The BeaverTails stand and change room chalet at the Concord access point along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on January 2, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 Residents and visitors enjoy the day skating along Rideau Canal Skateway near the Pretoria Bridge in Ottawa on January 2, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, 2026 Residents and visitors enjoy the day along Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on January 2, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)
Ben Welland and his daughters on the Rideau Canal Skateway Ben Welland and his daughters take the ice on the Rideau Canal Skateway. Jan. 4, 2025. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway Skaters seen near the Rideau rest area on the Rideau Canal Skateway. Jan. 4, 2025. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway opens The Rideau Canal Skateway is now open from Somerset Street to the Rideau Rest Area. Jan. 3, 2025 (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau rest area Rideau Canal A photo of the Rideau rest area on the Rideau Canal Skateway. Jan 3, 2025. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway A child takes the ice on the Rideau Canal Skateway. Jan 3, 2025. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway 2025-2026 Skaters skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the first official day of public skating on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Rideau Canal Skateway 2025-2026 Skaters skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the first official day of public skating on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Rideau Canal Skateway 2025-2026 Skaters skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the first official day of public skating on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Rideau Canal Skateway 2025-2026 Mike Adams juggles as he skates along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the first official day of public skating on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Rideau Canal Skateway 2025-2026 Skaters skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the first official day of public skating on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Rideau Canal Skateway Skaters on the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa. Jan. 2, 2026. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)
Mark Carney skates on the Rideau Canal Skateway Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with CTV News Ottawa while out for a skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway on December 31, 2025. (Katelyn Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal Skateway A skater uses a skate assist device while skating along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the first official day of public skating on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Rideau Canal Skateway Skaters skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the first official day of public skating on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Rideau Canal Skateway National Capital Commission crews work on the Rideau Canal Skateway on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (NCC/Instagram)
