Rideau Canal Skateway expands by another 800 metres

The iconic Rideau Canal Skateway is getting longer this weekend. The National Capital Commission announced that an additional 800-metre section will open for skating Saturday morning, stretching from Bank Street to Rideau Street.

With the expansion, the total length of open ice will reach 4.2 kilometres, representing more than half of the Skateway’s full 7.8-kilometre route. The new section brings skaters closer to downtown Ottawa.

Capital Skate rentals will open Saturday at the Rideau Street rest area. The opening date for the BeaverTails stand at that location has not yet been confirmed. Skate rentals and BeaverTails remain open at the Fifth Avenue rest area.

The season’s first 3.4-kilometre section, between the Bank Street Bridge and Somerset Street West, opened on December 31, marking the Skateway’s earliest opening since 2018. The Bank Street stairs remain closed.

Ice conditions are currently rated as “good.”