The Rideau Canal is set to open this winter, marking a return for skaters after a two-year hiatus.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) announced that the renowned skateway will welcome skaters starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday. However, the initial opening will cover a 1.9-kilometer segment between Bank Street and the Pretoria Bridge due to current weather conditions.
The NCC shared on social media that BeaverTails will be available along the skateway, but skate rentals won't be offered initially. Skaters are urged to be cautious and considerate of teams working on the ice. The skateway requires a minimum of 30 centimeters of ice, typically necessitating 10 to 14 days of temperatures between -10°C and -20°C.
Ottawa has experienced a cold spell with temperatures below -10°C since Monday. Environment Canada forecasts below-normal temperatures for the weekend, ranging from -9°C to -13°C for highs and -10°C to -18°C for lows. While temperatures are expected to rise above freezing next week, they will predominantly remain below freezing.
The NCC provides updates on ice conditions and canal access points on its website. Once open, the Rideau Canal Skateway is accessible 24/7, free of charge.
The recent cold weather allayed the worry that the previous year's closure due to above-seasonal temperatures in November and December would happen again. Last year marked the first time in its 53-year history that the canal did not open for skating.
Launched in 1971, the Rideau Canal Skateway has become a major tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From 1995–1996 to the present, the median premiere date has been January 10, although the prior 26 seasons had a December 27th median. Skating seasons on the canal have ranged from 50 days on average to 95 days in the 1971–1972 season, with a median opening date of January 1 throughout all 52 seasons.
Climate change effects were highlighted in a July 2021 risk assessment, predicting that skating seasons shorter than 40 days would occur approximately 50% of the time in the next decades. The report suggested that future December openings of the skateway are unlikely. The NCC, in collaboration with Carleton University researchers, has been exploring data collection and ice management options, including a "slush cannon" to enhance ice thickness.
