[Editor's note]: When I came to Canada, I felt more about what is a vast territory and a vast land. From 52° to 141° W, Canada spans six time zones east-west; Trans-Canada Highway, which winds eastward from Victoria, British Columbia, on the westernmost side, to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, a total length of 7,821 kilometers; From the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, Canada's vast expanse can be said to be different from scene to place. Even Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador that are part of the same region have their own wonders.
The "Wild Katong" series will start with this article, meet you every Tuesday, all the way east, from the long history to the diverse modern culture, from the modern urban style to the spectacular original scenery, and enjoy the different style of Eastern Canada.
Source: Google
Outside! Outside! The world's largest natural ice rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway, is opening this month!
Source: Canadian Tourism website
Whenever the cold wind blows in winter, the Rideau Canal ushers in winter-limited play. From approximately January to the end of February or early March, Ontario's only UNESCO World Heritage Site transforms into an epic urban ice rink.
When open (weather permitting), the Rideau Canal Skateway is free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thanks to its universally accessible ramps and facilities, anyone can explore the 7.8 km long winding slide.
The Ice Track Care team is preparing for the upcoming Skateway 2022/23 season. The Skateway opens when temperatures between -10°C and -20°C are formed for approximately 10 to 14 consecutive days, forming high-quality ice cubes 30 cm thick. If you see red flags flying on the canals, it means no skating; The yellow flag indicates that the conditions range from fair to good, and the green flag indicates that the degree of icing ranges from very good to excellent.
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
The Rideau Canal slide first opened in the 1970/71 season, and this year marks Skateway's 52nd season.
The past and present of the Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal Skateway
The original idea to turn the Rideau Canal into a slipway came from Doug Fullerton, then the newly appointed chairman of Canada's National Capital Commission (NCC). In January 1971, a team of NCC employees armed with brooms and shovels turned his idea into reality. They cleared a small chunk of ice between the Mackenzie King and Laurier bridges near the National Center for the Arts, then extended the canal ice into a six-meter-wide skating track that stretched to Dawes Lake, a distance of about 5 kilometers. In the area between bridges, lights and music have been added to bring fun to night skating. Despite heavy snow and hours of overtime, NCC staff managed to keep the skating area unobstructed.
Since then, thousands of residents and visitors have stepped onto the ice to begin Ottawa's new winter tradition.
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
In 1972 and 1981, Skateway opened first, on December 18th! It's hard to imagine how cold these two years were~ 2007 opened on January 26, the latest year to open. I wonder if this year's warm winter will break this "latest" record?
The earliest closure in 1984 was on February 13, and the latest was closed on March 25, 1972. The longest season was 90 days in 1971/72 and 35 days in 2001/02. The average length of the open season over the past 10 years is about 45 days.
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
In 2022, skaters enjoyed for the first time a 7.8 km full-length run at an open day at the Skateway in the Rideau Canal.
The Rideau Canal is a great still-water canal completed in 1832, including 47 stone locks and 53 dams, stretching from Ottawa in the north to Kingston Port of Lake Ontario in the south, a total length of 202 kilometers, a marvel of 19th-century engineering, the world's most outstanding strave-stream canal, one of the first canals designed for steam ships, and the oldest and largest canal system still in operation today.
The sluices and dams on the river are now historic cultural relics.
Designed by Royal British Engineer and Marine Lieutenant Colonel John Bay, the Rideau Canal was awarded World Heritage status in 2007 for the authentic craftsmanship embodied in its civil engineering, architecture and fortification structures.
Source: @aliciarlapierre official website of Tourism Canada
The Rideau Canal has been described as "a testimony to the struggle for control in the northern part of the American continent" and was originally dug for strategic military purposes as Britain and the United States competed for control of the area. But after the War of 1812, the United States shifted its expansionist ambitions to the west and south. The U.S. military never again waged war against Canada to the north. Therefore, after the Rideau Canal was repaired, it was useless militarily.
However, the Rideau Canal reached the Atlantic Ocean in the east and the Great Lakes region of North America in the west, and played an important role in transportation at the time. Today, the canal can no longer accommodate large ships to pass through, but it runs through the entire city, and there are ten bridges on the canal across the east and west banks, which is an important urban landscape and tourism resource for the capital Ottawa. In spring, summer and autumn, you can take a boat trip, and in winter, it becomes the most famous "world's longest ice skating rink".
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
Ice skating on the canals has become a favorite pastime for winter visitors, so get your hardy winter clothes and bring your skates as you wind your way from downtown through Ottawa from 0.0 to 7.8, past Dows Lake and finally at Hartwells Locks, where you can experience this classic Canadian discovery at the Rideau Canal Skateway.
The 7.8-kilometer Skateway has a total of about 30 stairs and 5 universal ramps leading to the ice rink. There are O-Train stations and parking areas (free and paid) near the Skateway entrance.
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
For specific inquiries, see: https://ncc-ccn.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=795623808c5c49388aa7dc5f94890a40
km 0
Rideau Rest Area
The "Rideau Rest Area" marks kilometer 0 of the Rideau Canal slide. Right in the heart of Ottawa, it's a great starting point for ice skating. You can rent skates and other skating equipment at the rental booth in the rest area.
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
If you can't skate, can't you enjoy this classic skating trip to Ottawa? Of course not, you can rent a two-person trike or red sled at the rental kiosk in the service area and experience a different Skateway! But don't forget to bring a warm blanket.
Tips：
"Rideau Rental Kiosk" service hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Equipment is not rented after 8 p.m.
"Fifth Avenue Rental Kiosk" service hours: Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Equipment is not rented after 8 p.m.
"Dawes Lake Rental Kiosk" service hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Equipment is not rented out after 9 p.m. or 8 p.m. on Sundays.
All rentals require a deposit and a valid photo ID (e.g. driver's license).
Km 0 is also a great place to take a selfie. You can post to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #WinterCapital and #RideauCanal against the background of the Capitol.
km 1
Classic view of the Rideau Canal slide
When you reach the 1km mark, turn around and enjoy the "classic" view of the Rideau Canal slide – the Fairmont Château Laurier.
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
km 2.6
Patterson Creek id
Shortly after you pass the 2km mark, keep an eye out for the entrance to Patterson Creek. This "gem" is a little hidden deep~ but if you skate on the footbridge, you will get an extra Skateway reward!
km 3
Fifth Avenue Rest Area
Take a break at the Fifth Avenue Rest Area, one of five rest areas along the Skateway. Here, you'll find restrooms, food and beverage outlets and picnic tables.
Tips：
Ice toilet: Rideau; Concord； Fifth； Bronson and Dows
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m
Land toilets: Patterson Creek Park (not universally accessible from ice); Dows Lake Pavilion
Dressing room: Rideau; Concord； Fifth； Bronson
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m
Land dressing room: Patterson Creek Park
Food and beverage outlets: Rideau: coffee and hot drinks, fast food, sweets and BeaverTails® pastries; Concord: coffee and hot drinks, fast food and BeaverTails® pastries; Fifth: coffee and hot drinks, fast food and BeaverTails® pastries; Bronson: fast food and BeaverTails® pastries; Dows: The Dows Lake Pavilion offers other types of food.
Lost & Found: Located next to the locker room in the Fifth Avenue Rest Area.
Emergency Trailer: Located on the ice in the Fifth Avenue Rest Area.
Skating patrolmen trained in first aid and CPR are on the slopes every day at the following times: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m
km 4
Bank Street Bridge
As you pass Lansdowne Park, be sure to slow down at the Bank Street Bridge. This is a great place to take photos whenever you want!
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
km 5
The Narrows
This section is the narrowest along the entire Skateway. It also happens to be one of the hardest places to freeze and maintain.
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
km 6
Dows Lake
Here you will find a large open skating area and Dawes Lake lounge area. This is another popular starting point for excursions on the Skateway.
km 7
Bronson Rest Area
The Bronson Lounge is a popular place to take a break from skating and enjoy the famous BeaverTails® pastry. Will you choose the classic Killaloe Sunrise flavor, or the garlic/cheese or maple sugar flavor?
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
km 7.8
Hartwells Locks / Library
Yes! You've finally arrived at the end of the world's largest ice rink, which is larger than 140 National Hockey League ice rinks!
You must not forget to take a picture at the 7.8km mark! And then it's time to think about it: take off your skates, or turn around and return 0 km?
Source: Rideau Canal Slide official website
When you go to skateway skating, be sure to pay attention to the following precautions~
You will need the following equipment:
- Warm clothing
- Skates (avoid figure skates as ice axes tend to hit bumps and cracks in the ice)
- Certified and suitable hockey or ski helmet
- Bracers, as well as elbow and knee protection
The following are not allowed on the slide:
- Dogs and other pets (except service dogs)
- Bicycles, skis and snowshoes
- Hockey sticks and ice hockey
- Alcoholic beverages
- Smoking and e-cigarettes
Various events are held every year during the opening of Skateway, or you can choose to visit during the event period.
Hailed as Canada's ultimate triathlon (skating/running/drinking), the annual Carlton Cup Charity Run will take place on January 28, 2023 at the Skateway in the Rideau Canal.
Source: Carlton Cup official website
"Ottawa Winter Carnival – Winterlude," returning for the first time in three years, kicks off February 3-20 at Skateway. The 45th Winterlude opening will include the Ice Dragon Boat Festival at the Rideau Canal Slide, the Minsoshkite Show at the Canadian Museum of History Assembly Hall and the Winterlude National Ice Sculpture Championships on Sparks Street.
Source: Government of Canada official website
The "Winter Triathlon" for winter enthusiasts with 8 km of skating, 6 km of cross-country skiing and 5 km of running will take place on February 4, 2023 on the Skateway of the Rideau Canal.
Seeing this, are you already moved? Then hurry up!