Skating through woods on a snowy evening

from Issue #46 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

Don’t get freeze-dried this winter

By Sheila Ascroft Photos: Arrowhead Prov. Park

Walking in a winter wonderland is an iconic if clichéd image, but how about a skate though snow-quiet woods on oh-so-smooth ice.

You can do it along the 1.3-kilometre groomed ice skating trail in Arrowhead Provincial Park, through evergreen forest in the heart of Muskoka. John Leadston, the park’s assistant superintendent, created the trail in 2011 after he got tired of the park’s tiny skating rink and wanted more people to enjoy the outdoors. Since then, thousands of skaters have found the groomed trail much to their liking.

It’s a 350-kilometre drive to the Huntsville area, but certainly worth a visit if you’re travelling nearby. “It’s just so incredibly stunning, especially at night, to skate through the woods by firelight. It’s date night, it’s family night and it’s even a little romantic. We see moms and dads stroller skating, couples, grandparents, kids,” said Leadston, known locally as the “passionate park’s guy.”

The trail drew 20,000 people last year – most from Muskoka, the Barrie area or Toronto, but some came all the way from Scotland and New Zealand. It’s become one of the region’s most popular winter attractions, so the best time to skate is midweek when it’s less crowded and the Zambonismooth ice is in prime condition.

It’s open Monday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. with an 11 a.m. opening on weekends, except for those special Saturday nights (see below). The cost is $16 per vehicle for a day pass, which covers not just for skating, but snowshoeing, tubing and skiing as well. Skate rentals and skate sharpening are available too.

Arrowhead hosts Fire and Ice Nights on Saturday usually starting the end of December and running to the end of

February if weather permits. Hundreds of Tiki torches illuminate the ice trail as it weaves through a snowy forest, which is not only scenic but serves as a windbreak, something Rideau Canal skaters would welcome. Warming cabins and picnic tables along the way make for rest and a snack.

Leadston is a fund of ideas – including a snow sculpture contest – to attract more skaters. It’s called “Art Froid,” and the creations decorate his long, winding forest rink.

For more info call 705-789-5105 or check out: www.ontarioparks.com/park/arrowhead, or www.discovermuskoka.ca/ice-skating-trailarrowhead.html

Ottawa’s own skating pleasures

If Arrowhead seems like a long drive even for a long skate, there’s no shortage of rinks for newbies and seasoned skaters in Ottawa’s own backyard. Checking out all of them reveals a range of experience on ice.

Rideau Canal Skateway

Ottawa’s most famous rink is designated by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest. You can skate from downtown to Dows Lake and see the central city from a different perspective. If the weather’s nasty, heated cabins along the way are cozy, warm and washroom-equipped. They make it easy to rest and change from boots to skates. The Skateway is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week from about late January to late February, depending on ice conditions. Skate rentals are available in front of the National Arts Centre and at the Fifth Avenue rest stop. Sled rentals are available for non-skaters. >>>>see page 8

Governor General’s skating rink

The rink at Rideau Hall was originally built in 1872, during the term of the Earl of Dufferin, Canada’s third governor general. Along with his wife, Lady Dufferin, who quickly became a keen skater herself, he organized skating parties. The tradition continues today, with the public invited on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. from early January to early March – depending on weather and ice conditions. There’s a wood stove in the nearby changing cabin. No reservations needed.

Sens rink of dreams

Located in front of Ottawa City Hall on Laurier Avenue, the Sens Rink of Dreams (uh, named after Ottawa’s beloved NHL team, if there’s anyone out there who didn’t know!) is open round the clock seven days a week. The surface is refrigerated, so the ice is less dependent on weather and can be skated from about mid-November to mid-March. The rink is lit with multi-colored LED lights, there’s a changing cabin and picnic tables. It’s free. No skate rentals on site.

Lansdowne Park skating court

As part of the newly renovated Lansdowne Park, just south of Ottawa’s downtown core, this refrigerated outdoor skating rink is the new one in town. Its season stretches from roughly mid-November to mid-March and is free. Skate rentals are not available at this site. If you need a break, there’s a BeaverTails concession. Killaloe Sunrise and hot chocolate anyone?

Brewer Oval

Skate like a champion or at least where Olympians Ivanie Blondin and Vincent de Haître trained to become champions. Ontario’s only 400-metre speed skating oval is volunteer run and open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. except Tuesday evenings when the Ottawa Pacers train or when there’s a tournament or event. The oval is not just for speed skaters though; hockey players and recreational skaters including children are welcome. Brewer Park is on Bronson Avenue across the road from Carleton University.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park

Located on the shores of Lake Huron near Port Elgin, this park has a 400-metre skating loop – not as long as Arrowhead’s trail, but it too winds through snowy woods. It has a small heated hut for lacing up, and nearby campsites can be used for winter campfires and picnics. Cost per vehicle is $10.75 for the day or $6.50 for four hours. Info at 519-389-9056.

Algonquin Park

A skating rink is offered as an extra activity for those winter camping at Mew Lake Campground, but anyone who drives there can skate. One of several “developed camping” areas, Mew Lake has seven yurts (spacious tent-like structures with basic furniture and electric heat; reservations needed) if you want something more than a tent. The campground has a fully winterized comfort station with flush toilets, showers, and laundry.