While winter can sometimes be a harsh season with extremely cold temperatures, it also offers visitors and residents the opportunity to get outdoors and live unique experiences. While Ottawa is known for having the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest-skating rink, the Outaouais is home to some of the most unique skating locations in Canada. From skating through an enchanted forest to taking the ice in the downtown core, you are sure to have a blast at the following 5 places to go skating near Ottawa & Gatineau in the Outaouais region of Quebec.
1. Patinage en Forêt (Lac-des-loups, Qc)
This is one of my personal favourite places to visit in the entire Outaouais during the winter. Here, you can skate on a 3 km long trail through a beautiful pine forest. Located only 45 minutes from Ottawa and Gatineau, you are sure to appreciate the beauty and charm of this location. On certain nights, you can skate in the dark with the trail being lighted up by tiki torches. You can purchase food on location (including hot chocolate), get your skates sharpened, rent equipment, and enjoy a nice hot fire. After you are done skating, explore their snowshoeing trails! For adults, it costs 18$ plus taxes.
Location: 9 Mnt Beausoleil, Lac-des-Loups, QC J0X 3K0
2. Éco-Odyssée (Wakefield, Qc)
During the summer, Éco-Odyssée is an awesome 5 km water labyrinth that can be explored with a paddle boat, canoe, or paddle board. During the winter, this massive water maze turns into a skating paradise. Loose yourself in the maze and have fun outdoors at this beautiful location. They offer up to 5 km of skating trails. Éco-Odyssée also sells food as well as skate sharpening services. While this is their first year offering this experience and the ice isn’t perfect, it really is a fun activity to do. On certain nights of the week, parts of the trail are lighted up and live music is played. This activity costs 20$ plus taxes for adults.
Location: 52 Chem. des Sources, Wakefield, QC J0X 3G0
3. Le Sentier du Petit Pinguin (Gatineau, Qc)
The owners have transformed a golf course into the region’s longest skating trail! This 5.2 km long trail is very well maintained and is really enjoyable to skate on. Located in Gatineau, you don’t have to drive far to explore this amazing destination. Food can be purchased at this location and can be enjoyed around a nice warm fire. To skate here, you will need to pay 20$ plus taxes per adult, but they do offer different packages to save some money.
Location: 312 Chem. Taché, Gatineau, QC J8V 3Y1
4. Montebello Skating Rink (Montebello, Qc)
This free public rink is actually in the shape of a figure 8. This small skating rink is well maintained and quite enjoyable. It is located next to the Ottawa River which means you have a beautiful backdrop and a place to go snowshoeing afterwards. You can also explore the Manoir Papineau. Once you are done skating, why not make a quick stop at Chocomotive for a delicious hot chocolate.
Location: 502 Rue Notre Dame, Montebello, QC J0V 1L0
5. Ruisseau de la Brasserie Skating Rink (Gatineau, Qc)
Less known than the Rideau Canal, this public skating rink is located on the frozen Ruisseau de la Brasserie in downtown Gatineau. In this central location, you can enjoy the charm of the downtown city while skating on what is usually pretty good ice quality. There is a heated shack available to the public during parts of the day. Access is free and guests can also rent equipment with the Gatineau Access Card. For more information on this location, visit the City of Gatineau’s website.
Location: 185 Rue Montcalm, Gatineau, QC J8Y 3B6
Hope you enjoy these 5 amazing places to go skating near Ottawa & Gatineau! Each unique and special, you will certainly have a great time this winter living memorable experiences outdoors.
