It hasn’t happened in awhile- but how long will it last?
The Rideau Canal welcomed eager skaters at 8AM on January 5th across its whole length: the 7.8 kilometres from Rideau to Library, (including Dow’s Lake) was fresh and ready for the skateway’s 56th season.
The one exception is not formally regarded as part of the skateway- the Patterson Creek loop, is closed for the season due to maintenance.
The canal opened on Dec. 31st, 2025, with a 3.4-kilometre stretch; the rare December opening has occurred just five times since year 2000.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site has ben plagued with uncertainty in recent years.
It was unable to open at all in 2023, and only briefly in 2024.
By Rick Stow