Ottawa's iconic winter playground is ready for its grand debut. The National Capital Commission has announced that the entire 7.8-kilometre length of the Rideau Canal Skateway will open to the public at 8 a.m. on Monday, January 5th, 2026.
A Season Off to a Fast Start
This marks a swift and welcome expansion for the world's largest skating rink. The season launched on New Year's Eve with a 3.4-kilometre section between Bank Street Bridge and Somerset Street West, representing the earliest opening since 2018. By Saturday, the available ice had already grown to 4.2 kilometres, setting the stage for Monday's full unveiling.
Come Monday morning, energetic skaters will be able to glide the complete route from the Rideau Street entrance all the way to the library, with the popular Dow's Lake section also fully accessible. The NCC reports that ice conditions are nearly ideal, with most sections rated "very good"—the highest possible rating—as of Sunday afternoon.
Bundle Up for the Inaugural Skate
Those planning to be among the first on the full canal should prepare for classic Ottawa winter weather. Environment Canada forecasts a frigid Sunday night low of -23°C, with snow and a high of -13°C expected for Monday. While snow accumulation may be light, winds up to 15 km/h will create a biting wind chill, making it feel like -28°C in the morning and -19°C in the afternoon.
Building on a "Fantastic" Previous Season
This opening continues a positive rebound for the Skateway, now in its 55th year. The previous winter season was a major success, described by the NCC as "fantastic" after several difficult years. It opened partially on January 11th, with the full length available by January 18th, remaining open for a total of 52 days and attracting over 1.1 million visitors.
This strong performance stands in stark contrast to the challenges of 2024, when the Skateway was open for only 10 days, and 2023, when it failed to open at all due to unsafe ice conditions. The current early and full opening signals a hopeful return to a long and vibrant skating season for residents and visitors in the National Capital Region.
