Best Outdoor Skating Rinks in Calgary, Airdire, Chestermere, Cochrane, Harmony, Langdon & Okotoks

Don’t hibernate this winter, get out and enjoy winter.

Just because it’s cold out, doesn’t mean that there aren’t fun activities to do outside. One wintertime favourite is skating at one of our many outdoor rinks in and around Calgary.

So, why not glide over a sheet of ice, or grab a stick for some shinny hockey at an outdoor rink near you? There are over 40 outdoor rinks in and around Calgary for you to choose from this winter. And best of all, it’s free!

City of Calgary Outdoor Skating Rinks

While the season is weather-dependent, typically they’re open from mid-December to February.

  • Barb Scott Park – 12 Avenue and 9 Street SW
  • Big Marlborough Park – 6033 Madigan Drive NE
  • Bowness Park Lagoon (rentals available) – 8900 48 Avenue NW
  • Carburn Park – 67 Riverview Drive SE
  • North Glenmore Park – 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
  • Olympic Plaza (rentals available) – 228 8 Avenue SE
  • Prairie Winds Park – 223 Castleridge Boulevard NE
  • Prince’s Island Lagoon – 4 Street and 1 Avenue SW
  • Thomson Family Park – 1236 16 Avenue SW

For more information, visit the City of Calgary website.

Looking for a near-perfect outdoor sheet of ice? Then head over to the Olympic Plaza rink. While most ice conditions change with the weather, it has a refrigerated surface. This also means that its season is generally open longer than most rinks from mid-November until mid-March.

Airdrie Outdoor Skating Rinks

Outdoor rinks are available for all residents to use and enjoy on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boarded rinks:

  • Bayside
  • Big Springs Cresent – Big Springs Crescent SE
  • Chinook Winds Regional Park
  • East Lake Regional Park – Scout Hall
  • Monklands Park

Snowbank rinks (listed here) are designed for passive skating. Sticks, balls and pucks are discouraged on these rinks.

  • Fletcher Regional Park
  • Town and Country Centre Park
  • Plainsmen Arena
  • Windsong – 140 Windstone Park

For more information, visit the City of Airdrie website.

Chestermere Outdoor Skating Rinks

Once there has been a significant and extended period of cold weather, the City will again begin to measure and post current ice thickness around the lake, and recreational use of the City’s maintained ice rinks can begin for the winter season.

  • Alta-Link Rink – Rainbow Falls Grove & Seagreen Link
  • Chestermere Lake Rink – Anniversary Park at 208 W Chestermere Drive
  • Chestermere Lake Rink – The Landing
  • Kinniburgh Rink – Sandpiper Point & Sandpiper Crescent
  • McIvor Rink – 145 McIvor Terrace
  • Gabriel Archangel School Rink – 197 Invermere Road

The City of Chestermere website has all the latest information on ice depths to ensure it’s safe to go skating.

Cochrane Outdoor Skating Rinks

Skaters can enjoy a few options this year:

  • Downtown Cochrane
  • Mitford Pond
  • Tim Bannister Memorial Outdoor Rink
  • Fireside Parkway between Fireside School and the new Catholic elementary school

The open status of skating rinks can be confirmed by calling the facilities status line at 403-851-2552.

Harmony (in Springbank) Outdoor Skating

With the completion of phase 1 of the Harmony Adventure Park, residents will be able use the skating ribbon after it opens for the season.

Langdon Outdoor Skating Rinks

Residents can enjoy the outdoor rink located in Langdon Park. It is maintained by the Langdon Community Association and can be booked.

Okotoks Outdoor Skating Rinks

Once opened for the season, rinks typically receive maintenance the second day after snowfall has ceased, Monday through Friday.

  • Ardiel Park – 20 Ardiel Drive
  • Kinsmen Rink, Okotoks Recreation Centre – 99 Okotoks Drive
  • Cedar Grove Park – 103 Lock Crescent
  • Cimarron Park – 175 Cimarron Drive
  • Downtown Okotoks – 38 McRae Street (adjacent to Olde Towne Plaza)
  • D’Arcy Ranch – 161 Sandstone Drive
  • Drake Landing – 26 Drake Landing Gardens
  • Henderson Park – 191 Cimarron Vista Way
  • Hughes Park – 197 Woodgate Rd
  • Hunters Place – 100 Hunters Place
  • Suntree Park – 24 Suntree Lane
  • Skating Trail at Lion’s Campground in Sheep River Park – 99 Woodhaven Drive
  • Westridge Close Park – 118 Westridge Close

Visit the Town of Okotoks website for more information along with the status of each rink. Skaters are asked to only skate on ‘open’ rinks to help keep the rinks in good shape.

Be safe!

It’s highly recommended that skaters wear a helmet. Plus, while there are plenty of rivers, canals and small ponds around, the safest option is getting out to one of the many well-maintained rinks and confirming they’re open before you go.