Vancouver’s mild winters mean that it doesn’t usually get cold enough to skate on frozen ponds. However, thanks to modern technology, you can still skate outdoors on hand-built rinks. Here are four places to go ice skating outdoors around Vancouver in winter 2021/22.
Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
Head up to Grouse Mountain to skate on a mountain-top pond. It’s especially beautiful when it’s snowing or at night when it’s lit up with twinkling lights.
Location: At the top of the Grouse Mountain Skyride, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
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Admission and Rentals: Skating is free with your Mountain Admission ticket. Skate rentals are $5-8.
Dates: Daily late November to April.
Hours and More Info: Grouse Mountain
Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Rishad Daroowala
Shipyard Skate Plaza, North Vancouver
North Vancouver’s Shipyard Commons, next to the Lonsdale Quay, is home to one of the region’s newest outdoor ice rinks. And at 20,000 square feet, it’s also the largest. There’s a retractable cover too, so you can skate in any weather.
Location: Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Admission and Rentals: Free admission. Skate rentals are $5-7.
Dates: TBA, likely opening in early December 2021
Hours and More Info: City of North Vancouver
Photo: City of North Vancouver
Robson Square, Vancouver
Skating at downtown Vancouver’s Robson Square rink is a Vancouver tradition. It’s got a covered glass dome, which means you can skate in all kinds of weather.
Location: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Admission and Rentals: Free admission. Skate rentals are $5.
Dates: TBA – likely early December 2021 to late February 2022
Hours and More Info: Robson Square
Photo: David Ward in the Inside Vancouver Flickr pool
Whistler Olympic Plaza, Whistler
Each winter Whistler’s Olympic Plaza transforms into an outdoor ice rink. With twinkly lights added to the snowy scene, it’s a real winter wonderland.
Location: Whistler Olympic Plaza, 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
Admission and Rentals: Admission is $2. Rentals are $8 and include admission.
Dates: November 26, 2021, until late March 2022.
Hours and More Info: Tourism Whistler
Photo: Tourism Whistler
By Taryn Eyton
Source Inside Vancouver
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