This Canadian Outdoor Ice-Skating Trail Gets Lit Up at Night

The land of ice and snow, Canada is known for its endless offerings of snow sports. The city of Edmonton is no exception. Each winter, this Alberta city opens a series of seasonal outdoor ice-skating rinks in public parks and fields of the city. But the most iconic ice-skating spot in Edmonton is not at all a mere rink, but the Victoria Park IceWay, a literal ice trail winding through the forest of Victoria Park, one of the most beloved parks in the city.

The Ice-Skating Trail

Located along the North Saskatchewan River south of downtown Edmonton, the Victoria Park IceWay covers almost two miles of territory within the park. This three-loop ice-skating trail is currently open for the season since the beginning of January this year. Though situated in the heart of Edmonton, the buzz of the city feels distant on this trail, especially at night. The icy trail lazily winds through the towering trees and bushes of the forest, and once darkness falls, it becomes more magical! Every evening after sunset, the trail gets illuminated by rainbow lights and the skaters glide under the colorful neon glow until the park closes.

The Special Amenities

Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, the Victoria Park IceWay is open to the public for free. The Victoria Park Pavilion acts as the warming area of the ice-skating trail, outfitted with lockers, bathrooms, and a changing area. The area also includes a covered picnic site equipped with wood camp stoves, tables, and a fire pit. From here, visitors can enjoy great views of the connected Victoria Park Skating Oval, a grand 400-meter Olympic-sized oval specially designed for speed skating. After ice-skating their way through the evening, skaters can duck onto the enchanting rainbow light-lit IceWay trail. Then to cap it all off, they can enjoy rewarding sips of creamy hot chocolate while lounging beside the roaring fire at the Victoria Park Pavilion.