Some of The Best Rinks in Toronto

December 19, 2013 by  
Filed under Uncategorized

It’s that time of the year – the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder. It’s winter time once again, which means the Holidays are just around the corner and spending time with the family is a must! Don’t go old school and visit the overly crowded Nathan Phillips Square, be creative and check out these other rinks that opened up in Toronto. So gather up the fam clan or a group of friends and visit the newly opened public skating rinks to create some great memories! Here are a list of a few great rinks that you’re bound to have lots of fun at.

Shelbourne Common – Located on Queens Quay E of Toronto, the rink offers a beautiful view of the city which you’re most likely to enjoy. Though official skating hours are 10 a.m to 10 p.m the rink is not fenced in, making the rink accessible at any hour. Washrooms are available, however skate rentals and change rooms are not.

Lake Devo – The sometimes functioning fountain and pond that’s located at Ryerson University has been turned into a  beautiful frozen outdoor rink! From time to time you’ll run into the spectacular Ryerson University Figure Skating team practicing their axles, however the rink is open to the public from 9 a.m to 10 p.m.

Colonel Sam Smith Park – Not the best rink for you shinny lovers, but a great rink as well as the ONLY rink to have an official skating trail! Washrooms and changing areas are available at this location.

Campbell Park – With $2 skate rentals, the Campbell Park rink is the best to hit up midday and practice those Ace Hockey Skills. By the afternoon, the local shinny crowd is out and about skating around Campbell Park rink. Enjoy a nice cool skate and warm up with some hot chocolate at the hot chocolate stand.

Christie Pits – Trade in those vintage swim trunks with some leather ice skates and watch as Christie Pits pool transforms in the Christie Pits outdoor rink! With a decent change area that has skate friendly rubber floors, the rink comes with designated free skate times as well as shinny schedules for kids, youths and adults.

Brick Works Ice Trail – It may not be an official City Skating Trail but this free ice trail is not one to ignore when it comes to having a good time. The Brick Works Ice Trail is right below some old industrial rafters and is open Thursdays from 5p.m to 9p.m and weekends from 11a.m to 4p.m. Skate rentals are $5 and you can help yourself to some great food at the nearby farmers’ market.

Kew Gardens – One of the longest-open city rinks and open until March 11th, the Kew Gardens outdoor rink is open and has designated times for free skates and shinny games. Though the rink itself is a small one, the change area has lockers open for public use so there’s no need to worry about boots sitting by the side of the rink.

Trinity Bellwoods – If you’re looking for the perfect rink that’s great for shinny, upbeat and lively lap competitions between friends, the Trinity Bellwoods rink offers plenty of room for excited skaters. This year on Monday evenings, designated shinny times for women’s hockey is available. There are no rentals at this rink, however changing areas can be accessed.

High Park – With two outdoor rinks pads and a zamboni for regular maintenance, the rink is open for 9a.m to 9:45p.m. Free skate and shinny times are available for the high park rosters and come with change rooms for lacing up. No rentals are available.

 

Dufferin Grove – Another spot for women’s shinny, the Dufferin Grove outdoor rink comes with two full sized pads. With a $2 Skate rental program, it also comes with a kitchen full of fresh snacks, lockers, changerooms, organic coffee and hot chocolate and best of all the occasional live music performances.

 

Harbourfront – An incredibly happy and jolly area during the holidays, the Harbourfront Rink is a place drenched with music and cheer. Free skate is open from 10 a.m to 10 p.m (with the exception of running until 11p.m on friday and saturday nights) with skate rentals available onsite.

 

Wallace Emerson –  A double pad-rink thats great for pleasure skating and shinny. While one rink is left unfenced, this leaves it open for skaters to take to the ice after the designated time slot of the 9p.m or 10p.m close. With a change area close by, skate and helmet rentals are available as well as snack bars, books and games.

College Park – Though there are no rentals for this beautiful outdoor rink, change rooms and lockers are available onsite. Right in the middle of all city action, the College Park rink is left unfenced which means that it’s a perfect location for all the midnight skaters.

Don Mills – A beautiful rink known right outside the Don Mills shopping mall. An artificial grassy turf is converted into a fantastic eye catching skating oval that’s fun for the entire family.

So the next time you think of dropping by Nathan Philipps Square with your family, try stopping by these other options first. Who knows? You may just find a new favourite skating rink hot spot that’ll keep your family coming back every year.

For more information on other skating rinks open in the Toronto area, try checking out this website.

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