Toronto opens outdoor ice rinks today for winter season
Starting today, skaters can enjoy some spins on public outdoor ice rinks in Toronto.
The city kicked off its Welcome T.O. Winter program today and will be opening 52 outdoor ice rinks across the city throughout the next two weeks.
Thirty-eight ice rinks will open today and operate until March 19, 2023, and 14 more rinks will open on Dec. 3 and operate until Feb. 26, 2023.
The skating rinks at Dufferin Grove Park and Ledbury Park will open once capital construction work is complete.
Outdoor rinks will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Skaters are encouraged to check the status of ice rinks before heading out on the city’s website.
In addition, natural ice rinks will open in January 2023, weather permitting.
“We want people to be able to enjoy our parks and other outdoor spaces as much as possible year round. This year, there are many exciting winter activities residents can enjoy including skate trails, toboggan hills, outdoor rinks and much more,” Mayor John Tory said in a statement on Thursday.
As part of this year’s Welcome T.O. Winter program, the city is also introducing a ringette pilot program at six locations.
“Participants six years old and older can drop in and try an exciting sport rapidly gaining popularity. Ringette is a non-contact sport played on an ice rink with a ringette ring and ringette stick,” the city said in a Nov. 25 news release.
Pre-enrollment is not required for the activity and participants will be able to borrow equipment from select locations beginning in early December.
This year, the city is also offering 29 locations for women’s shinny with dedicated time slots.
More information on skating and ice programming can be found on the city’s website.
To help residents learn to skate, the city has also launched a new mobile Skate Lending Library this year.
In partnership with Desjardins Group, the library will provide:
- 150 skate aids, including two accessible skate aids
- 60 pairs of skates and 60 helmets added to the city’s skate lending library
- A dedicated, customized van that will travel to different locations
The lending library is free and no reservations are required.
Along with skating rinks, many of the city’s park amenities will remain open throughout the winter season, including more than 1,500 parks, 28 toboggan hills, 54 artificial outdoor ice rinks and skate trails and skiing and snowboarding at Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre.
The 56th Cavalcade of Lights also kicks off today at Nathan Phillips Square until Jan. 7, 2023. Family-friendly special programming will begin today at 3 p.m. and run until 11 p.m., and a tree and lighting ceremony will happen at 8:30 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull dies at 84
Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull has died at the age of 84. He played for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and Hartford Whalers as well as the World Hockey Association's Winnipeg Jets over a 23-year pro career.

Girl, 6, dead after accident at ski resort north of Montreal on Sunday
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
New alcohol recommendations could speed up changing drinking habits: businesses
Advocates and business owners in the beverage industry say new guidance for drinking alcohol could speed up changing consumer drinking habits as younger generations drink less and non-alcoholic beverages become more popular.
WHO: COVID-19 still an emergency but nearing 'inflection' point
The coronavirus remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization chief said Monday, after a key advisory panel found the pandemic may be nearing an 'inflection point' where higher levels of immunity can lower virus-related deaths.
All countries 'dangerously unprepared' for future pandemics: report
The world is 'dangerously unprepared' for future pandemics, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) say in a report published on Monday, calling on countries to update their preparedness plans by year-end.
Are you a Ukrainian who recently moved to Canada? We want to hear from you
With Russia's invasion of Ukraine displacing millions of people, many refugees have begun to lay their roots in Canada. If you or someone you know has fled the war-torn country and settled in Canada, we want to hear from you.
NDP to call for emergency debate in House of Commons over private health care
Federal New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh says he will call on the House of Commons to hold an emergency debate on the privatization of health care.
COVID-19 global emergency isn't over: 5 things to know about the WHO decision
The World Health Organization decided Monday not to declare an end to the COVID-19 global public health emergency.
Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet set to retire after overseeing Vatican's bishops' office
Marc Ouellet, the Quebec cardinal who oversaw the Vatican's powerful bishops' office and has been recently accused of sexual misconduct, is retiring.