As snow blankets the Ottawa region, it is a great time for nature and snow lovers to head outside and take advantage of the fresh air. From ice skating and skiing to snowshoeing and hiking – all easily accessible within the city and in the nearby countryside – Ottawa has a bunch of exciting ways to experience the magic of the winter season. Here our top picks:
Whizzing around the rink:
Try ice skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway—the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world. At the top of the best ice skating experiences in Ottawa list, the Skateway is open daily from roughly early January to late February or early March and access is free. There are also refrigerated outdoor ice surfaces that provide great alternatives. The most centrally-located options include the Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall (the boards are lit up in the evening), and the Skating Court at Lansdowne (next to the historic Aberdeen Pavilion). Both are free and open December to March. The region’s rural areas feature magical skating trails that wind through hilly forests and flat orchards. Some allow hockey or dogs, and some are open select evenings! All are weather dependent.
Gear up and get to exploring:
Snowshoeing in Canada’s capital is the perfect outdoor activity for winter sports newbies. It’s accessible, it’s affordable and it’s a lot like walking—just with bigger “feet”! It’s so simple that it’s an ideal option for families with young children (equipment is easily rented). Although you can simply snowshoe in the nearest park, it’s much more fun to explore the hundreds of kilometres of maintained trails in the Ottawa area. There are options for everyone, including rural paths through snowy forests and urban trails near pubs and shops. Purists especially love the dedicated snowshoeing trails in Gatineau Park. Trail passes (daily or seasonal) are available at the Visitor Centre in Chelsea, Quebec. Some nature and activity centres like Park Omega and Arbraska Laflèche, as well as some skating trails and ski resorts, also have snowshoeing options.
Get out there on the trail:
Hiking and walking are also firmly on the list of favourite activities to do in and around Canada’s capital to discover its natural beauty. From urban, paved pathways to more rugged terrain in the countryside, there are scenic routes and trails to satisfy the beginner to the expert hiker. You can go hiking on several groomed trails through the snow-covered forest in Gatineau Park. And though most trails in Ottawa’s Greenbelt are used for cross-country skiing in the winter, you can walk beside the tracks.
Cross-country ski in pristine Canadian wilderness:
Dreaming of gliding through snowy forests, beside frozen rivers, or through urban landscapes? You’ll love cross-country skiing in the Ottawa area. With hundreds of kilometres of groomed, scenic trails within the city and in the nearby countryside, the region is Nordic skiing heaven for beginners and experts alike. Pick up your ski poles, clip on your bindings and get ready to explore some beautiful landscapes in and around Canada’s capital this winter. Just a 15-minute drive north from downtown Ottawa, and offering day and season passes, Gatineau Park is a mecca for cross-country skiing enthusiasts, with more than 200 km (124 miles) of groomed trails and heated shelters. You can also explore more than 150 kilometres (93 miles) of trails in the Greenbelt area around Ottawa: access is free and all are suitable for beginner and family outings.
For more information visit: https://ottawatourism.ca/en
