Services

Change Facility (Chalet)

All change facilities are heated and mostly universally accessible. They are open from 8 am to 11 pm and are found at the following locations:

on the Skateway near the Mackenzie King Bridge
on the Skateway at Concord Avenue (not universally accessible)
on land at Patterson Creek (not universally accessible)
on the Skateway at Fifth Avenue
on the Skateway near the Bronson Bridge
on the Skateway near the Dows Lake Pavilion

Skate and Sleigh Rentals, Skate Sharpening and Boot Check

On the Skateway near Mackenzie King Bridge: Mondays to Sundays, 10 am to 10 pm. Information: (613) 233-7980
On the Skateway near Fifth Avenue: Fridays, 6 pm to 10 pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 10 pm. Information: (613) 233-7980
On the Skateway near the Dows Lake Pavilion: Mondays to Wednesdays, 10 am to 8 pm. Thusdays, 10 am to 9 pm. Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am to 10 pm. Sundays, 10 am to 9 pm. Information: (613) 232-1001

Food concessions

Food concessions are open weekdays from noon to 10 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 10 pm. You can also sit down for a snack at the Sun Life Financial Ice Café at Dows Lake, Thursdays to Sundays, from noon to 10 pm.

Parking

At Ottawa City Hall (from Elgin Street) ($)
At the National Arts Centre (50 metres from the NAC access ramp)* ($)
At Dows Lake, at Preston Street and Prince of Wales Drive (10 spots 100 metres from the Dows Lake access ramp)* ($)
At the Bronson Avenue parking lot (10 spots 60 metres from the Bronson Avenue access ramp)* ($)
At 580 Booth Street: weekdays, 6 pm to 11 pm, weekends, 8 am to 11 pm, weather permitting (accessible from Carling Avenue, walking path in Commissioners Park).
At 401 LeBreton Avenue, weekdays, 6 pm to 11 pm, and weekends 8 am to 11 pm, weather permitting (accessible from Carling Avenue, walking path in Commissioners Park).

*A limited number of parking spots are available for people who are mobility impaired.

Washrooms

Washrooms are open from 8 am to 11 pm, daily, and can be found at the following locations:

on the Skateway at the National Arts Centre
on the Skateway at Concord Avenue
on the Skateway at Fifth Avenue
on the Skateway at Bronson Avenue
at the Dows Lake Pavilion (10 am to 11 pm)

All toilets are universally accessible.

First Aid

A team of skate patrollers who can administer first aid and CPR will be patrolling the Rideau Canal, Mondays to Wednesdays, 3 pm to 10 pm, Thursdays, 12 noon to 10 pm, Fridays, 12 noon to 11 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 11 pm. If you require immediate assistance, call (613) 565-1899. In case of serious injury, call 911.

For safe skating

Avoid wearing figure skates, as they tend to catch in the irregularities of the ice surface.
Watch for cracks!
Learn the flag system on the Canal: a green flag indicates that the Skateway is open, and a red flag indicates that it is closed.
Wearing protective gear on your wrists, elbows, knees and head will reduce your risk of injury.
Dress warmly; heated chalets are located a various points along the Skateway.
Dogs are not allowed on the Skateway.

Souvenir Kiosks

Souvenir kiosks are located along the Skateway where you can find great official Rideau Canal Skateway and Winterlude souvenirs!

Lost and Found

Any valuable objects found will be given to the Ottawa Police Department, at (613) 236-1222. All other objects found will be held in the chalet at the Fifth Avenue Gateway.

For More Information

Call (613) 239-5234 for Skateway conditions (updated daily), or go to the Capital Infocentre, 90 Wellington Street, Ottawa (across from Parliament Hill).

Related Links

Locate services on the map (pdf – 622 Kb)
Silver-Skates
Dows Lake Pavilion
Souvenirs
Capital Infocentre

Presented by the American Express Philanthropic Program.