The Rideau Canal Skateway is expected to reopen ‘soon’. Here’s everything you need to know.

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Winter hasn’t been kind to Ottawa’s Rideau Canal Skateway. After a whole winter season without any skating on the canal, it opened briefly last year for just 10 days — one of its shortest seasons on record.

This week’s frigid temperatures, expected to drop to -21°C with windchill, have skaters eager to lace up once again.

“At the moment, conditions are ideal for our operations, and our crews are working day and night,” said National Capital Commission (NCC) spokesperson Maryam El-Akhrass.

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Crews have been focused on maximizing ice growth while temperatures remain low.

“We took advantage of the past few days to flood the full length of the Skateway, and we will continue to flood every evening to speed up ice formation,” El-Akhrass said in an email.

What it takes to open the Rideau Canal Skateway

The canal’s ice sheet must reach 30 centimetres in thickness to safely support skaters, maintenance equipment, and vendors. Although last year, the NCC reportedly let skaters on the canal when the ice was just 27 cm thick, according to CTV News.

The process demands 10 to 14 consecutive days of freezing temperatures, a benchmark recent winters have struggled to meet.

“The Rideau Canal Skateway is not your average backyard rink. To open, we need high-quality ice that can support our visitors and our machinery,” the NCC tweeted on January 6.

A video on January 7 announced the Skateway would reopen “soon.”

Each fall, the canal is partially drained to create a stable base for freezing. Water levels are carefully managed to ensure consistent conditions, minimizing the risks associated with flowing water beneath the ice.

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As temperatures drop, crews begin measuring ice thickness using specialized equipment, drilling holes at various points along the canal. The measurements determine whether the ice can withstand the weight of skaters and the machinery needed to maintain the surface.

“Ice samples must show that there is a good quantity of quality clear ice for safe public skating,” said El-Akhrass.

NCC crews often supplement the natural freezing process by flooding sections of the canal to build additional ice layers. The technique reinforces weak spots caused by uneven freezing or water flow and ensures a more durable surface.

Snow acts as an insulator, slowing the freezing process, so snowplows and Zamboni-style ice resurfacers are used to maintain smooth ice.

“Since the Skateway is a floating sheet of ice on moving water, we also monitor the ice’s vertical movement and distribute weight as needed,” said El-Akhrass.

Evolving winters

Ottawa’s warming winters have made maintaining the Skateway increasingly difficult. Shorter cold spells and unpredictable weather patterns, linked to climate change, have drastically reduced skating seasons, with some years seeing none at all.

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In 2022, skaters were able to enjoy the full 7.8 km of the canal on opening day for the first time in more than two decades. But in the 2023 season, the Skateway failed to open for the first time in its 50-year history. The 10 days skaters had to enjoy the ice in 2024 made it the second-shortest season on record.

The Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival, once a highlight of Winterlude, announced its fifth consecutive cancellation in December. The festival, which once drew international teams and set attendance records, has become another casualty of insufficient ice.

“It’s the canal itself that we can’t trust,” said John Brooman, the festival’s CEO.

Unpredictable weather patterns and insufficient freezing days are forcing the NCC to rethink how the Skateway is managed.

The future of ice skating on the Rideau Canal

Lowering the ice thickness standard from 30 to 27 centimeters, as the NCC reportedly did last year, could extend skating seasons, though safety remains a concern. Artificial freezing technology has been suggested as a long-term solution, but high costs and logistical hurdles have kept the idea on ice.

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The Skateway remains an icon of winter in Ottawa for now. It is the world’s largest natural skating rink and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In its second season more than 50 years ago, the canal offered 95 days of skating — still the record. More recent years, however, have been far less forgiving.

Still, NCC crews have pressed forward with preparations for 2025. Skating huts and stairs are in place, ready for the season if conditions allow.

“Conditions are monitored multiple times per day. The decision to open the Skateway is made only when the ice is deemed safe,” said El-Akhrass.

“In the meantime, we ask the public to stay off the ice until we raise the green flag.”

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FAQs

When will the canal open this year?

The NCC has not confirmed a date but continues to monitor ice thickness every day.

How is the ice thickness measured?

Crews drill holes and use sonar technology to assess thickness and quality.

How can I check the status of the canal?

The NCC’s Rideau Canal Skateway website provides regular updates. You can also monitor this map:

Canal event calendar

Winterlude: February 2 to 19, 2025 (dependent on conditions)

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Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival: Canceled for 2025

Tips for skaters

Access points: Popular entrances include Dows Lake and the NAC downtown.

Rentals: Skates, sleds, and lockers are available at kiosks (check availability).

• Ice Skates: 2 hrs — $33
• Sleigh: 2 hrs — $49
• Ice Trike: 2 hrs — $53
• Kicksled: 2 hrs — $41
• Boot Check: $8

Safety: Even if some sections of the canal are open, others may remain closed due to uneven ice thickness or active maintenance. Respect signs and barriers indicating restricted areas. Winter weather can be unpredictable, so layer appropriately to stay warm. Ensure your clothing allows for easy movement, and wear gloves, hats, and waterproof footwear to protect against exposure.

smisenheimer@postmedia.com

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