4 Places to Ice Skate Outdoors Around Vancouver in Winter 2021/22

November 22, 2021

3 min read

Two people ice skating outdoors at night, holding hands, with snow-covered trees in the background.

Vancouver’s mild winters mean that it doesn’t usually get cold enough to skate on frozen ponds. However, thanks to modern technology, you can still skate outdoors on hand-built rinks. Here are four places to go ice skating outdoors around Vancouver in winter 2021/22.

Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver

Head up to Grouse Mountain to skate on a mountain-top pond. It’s especially beautiful when it’s snowing or at night when it’s lit up with twinkling lights.

Location: At the top of the Grouse Mountain Skyride, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver

Admission and Rentals: Skating is free with your Mountain Admission ticket. Skate rentals are $5-8

Dates: Daily late November to April

Hours and More Info: Grouse Mountain

Four people ice skating at night in front of a building with a sign reading Santa's Workshop, surrounded by snow and decorated with lights.

Photo: Grouse Mountain

Shipyard Skate Plaza, North Vancouver

North Vancouver’s Shipyard Commons, next to the Lonsdale Quay, is home to one of the region’s newest outdoor ice rinks. And at 20,000 square feet, it’s also the largest. There’s a retractable cover too, so you can skate in any weather.

Location: Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver

Admission and Rentals: Free admission. Skate rentals are $5-7

Dates: Early December to late February

Hours and More Info: City of North Vancouver

Indoor ice skating rink with many people skating, some using skating aids, surrounded by small pine trees and festive lights.

Photo: Grouse Mountain

Robson Square, Vancouver

Skating at downtown Vancouver’s Robson Square rink is a Vancouver tradition. It’s got a covered glass dome, which means you can skate in all kinds of weather.

Location: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver

Admission and Rentals: Free admission. Skate rentals are $5

Dates: Early December 2021 to late February 2022

Hours and More Info: Robson Square

People ice skating in an outdoor rink with a glass dome roof, surrounded by buildings and large decorative snowflakes.

Photo: Grouse Mountain

Whistler Olympic Plaza, Whistler

Each winter Whistler’s Olympic Plaza transforms into an outdoor ice rink. With twinkly lights added to the snowy scene, it’s a real winter wonderland.

Location: Whistler Olympic Plaza, 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler

Admission and Rentals: Admission is $2. Rentals are $8 and include admission.

Dates: November 26, 2021, until late March 2022.

Hours and More Info: Tourism Whistler