3 Places to Ice Skate Outdoors Around Vancouver This Winter

November 30, 2020

3 min read

Four people ice skating outdoors in winter clothing, holding hands and smiling on a snowy rink with buildings in the background.

Skating is a quintessentially Canadian winter activity. With Vancouver’s mild winters, it doesn’t usually get cold enough in the city to skate on frozen ponds. However, thanks to modern technology, you can still skate outdoors on man-made rinks. Here are three places to go ice skating outdoors around Vancouver this winter.

Until January 8, in line with the public health order issued on November 20, non-essential travel into and out of BC is not recommended. BC residents let’s do our part by continuing to stay local and support local, with your immediate household or bubble, in accordance with the latest guidelines.

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 Grouse Mountain access ticket. Skate rentals are $5-8.

Dates: Daily mid-November to April.

Hours and More Info: Grouse Mountain

Four people ice skating at night in front of a snow-covered building with a sign reading Santa's Workshop.

Whistler Olympic Plaza, Whistler

Note: Save this suggestion for after travel restrictions ease.

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. It’s open again this season with limited capacity.

Location: Whistler Olympic Plaza, 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler

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

Dates: November 27, 2020, until late March 2021. Closed holidays.

Hours and More Info: Tourism Whistler

Four people ice skating on an outdoor rink at dusk with colorful lights and snow-covered buildings in the background.

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: TBA.

Hours and More Info: City of North Vancouver