Details: Written by: Automater; Category: 360 Tourism

World's Largest natural open outdoor canal 4.8 mile skating Ice rink 360-s vr locations

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Gps Coordinates / 45.3988705,-75.6798082

Ice Skate Giant Rink Rideau Canal Gps Ottawa Canada

Rideau River 98XC+G3W Nepean, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Go skating on the world's largest skating rink which winds its way through downtown Ottawa! Each winter, from roughly January to late February or early March, Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site transforms into an epic urban skating rink.

Link Location Gps -75.6989851

Gps Coordinates / 45.3928585,-75.6989851

When open (weather permitting), the Rideau Canal Skateway is free and accessible 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Anyone can explore any section of 4.8 miles thanks to its universally accessible ramps and facilities. Non-skaters can walk or shuffle along the edges of the Skateway (away from skaters), or on the pathways above the canal. Visit the Skateway website for updated reports on ice conditions.

Link Location Gps / Link Gps -75.6895321 / Link Gps -75.6967337 / Link Gps -75.6946411

Gps Coordinates / 45.395021,-75.6895321 / 45.3938859,-75.6967337 / 45.3939857,-75.6946411

In February, Ottawa holds Winterlude, when the city turns itself into a winter wonderland for three weeks. Rideau Canal runs through the city and residents eagerly wait for it to freeze deep enough for them to skate. A 4.5-mile-long stretch becomes one long, free rink, used not only for play, but for residents who want to commute to work by skating.

Link Location Gps / Link Gps -75.6867545 / Link Gps -75.6856245 / Link Gps -75.6855001

Gps Coordinates / 45.3962216,-75.6867545 / 45.3963587,-75.6856245 / 45.3963665,-75.6855001

A Canadian treat and tradition that originated in Ottawa, Beavertails are a must have snack when visiting the canal. Enjoy hot drinks and treats from Beavertails at the rest areas Rideau, Fifth and Bronson. There are typically other food vendors at the Fifth rest area, or you can visit restaurants at Dow’s Lake pavilion.

Link Location Gps / Link Gps -75.6830292 / Link Gps -75.6799086 / Link Gps -75.6810376

Gps Coordinates / 45.3964424,-75.6830292 / 45.398704,-75.6799086 / 45.4046904,-75.6810376

Depending on the weather, different kinds of ice form on the skateway. There are, he said, two main types: clear ice and white ice. “Clear ice provides the ideal skating surface because it has fewer air bubbles and is much stronger. It is colourless, and it forms naturally when temperatures are cold enough for crystals to form below the frozen surface.”

Link Location Gps / Link Gps -75.6793237 / Link Gps -75.6791306 / Link Gps -75.6801518

Gps Coordinates / 45.3999069,-75.6793237 / 45.3999901,-75.6791306 / 45.402408,-75.6801518

A depth of 30 centimetres of clear ice is required before the skateway can open to the public. White ice is cloudy and contains many air bubbles. It forms when fallen snow becomes soaked with water and freezes.

Much of Ottawa situated around this frozen canal, sightseeing whilst leisure skating

Link Location Gps / Link Gps -75.6806598 / Link Gps -75.6808545 / Link Gps -75.6815698

Gps Coordinates / 45.4034368,-75.6806598 / 45.4034715,-75.6808545 / 45.4081118,-75.6815698

Drivers avoid the roads where snowdrifts blow a constant flurry onto the pavement. Instead, they lace up their skates in their suits, briefcases balanced on the public benches beside them. They push off the ice, slipping through the morning traffic of speed skaters and early risers to glide to work.

Link Location Gps / Link Gps -75.6831061 / Link Gps -75.683391 / Link Gps -75.6825999

Gps Coordinates / 45.4111951,-75.6831061 / 45.4117798,-75.683391 / 45.4145821,-75.6825999

There are three locations along the canal where you can rent skates; Rideau (Rideau St & Colonel By Dr), Fifth (Fifth Avenue & Queen Elizabeth Dr) and Dows (Dows lake off Preston St). Ice skate rentals are available through Capital Skates as well as the Dow’s Lake Pavilion. Skate sharpening and rentals of sleighs and safety equipment are also offered. Hours of operation differ slightly, but typically there are no rentals after 8:00 or 9:00pm. CLICK HERE (https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/skateway-rentals) for more information regarding hours and rates.