This makes for a great weekend for Torontonians who love rollerblading and hitting the outdoor ice rink.

Starting Saturday, 52 outdoor rinks will be open over the next two weeks as part of the city’s Welcome to Winter program.

In a news release on Friday, the city said 38 outdoor ice rinks will be open on Saturday and operate through March 19, 2023. Fourteen more will open on Saturday, December 3 and operate through February 26. Two sites, Dufferin Grove Park and Ledbury Park, will open when the capital construction work is complete.

The city said the outdoor rink would be open from 10am to 10pm. School permits and bookings are available. The natural ice rink will open in January, weather permitting.

At the rink, Toronto residents will be able to take part in free public recreational skate, hockey, recreational figure skating and programs on how to skate and how to play hockey.

New features

Just this year, the city said it would offer a pilot ringette program at six locations, increase opportunities for women to play hockey and introduce a mobile skate rental library at select outdoor ice rinks.

The city, with the help of the Desjardins Financial Group, will provide access to skates, helmets and skate aids through a skate lending library.

The mobile skate rental library will have: 150 skate aids, including two accessible skate aids; additional 60 pairs of skates and 60 helmets; and special custom vans that will travel to various locations. Further information is available here.

“We love supporting residents and families who are learning to skate, so they can enjoy Canada’s classic and beloved past,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie in a release.

As for ringette, which the city describes as “an exciting sport that is gaining popularity rapidly”, equipment will be made available in select arenas in early December. The pilot program is open to residents aged six and over. Ringette is a non-contact sport played on an ice rink with straight rings and sticks.

To help grow and encourage women’s participation and prominence in hockey, the city said it would increase the number of locations offering specific time slots for women’s hockey to 29.

Skaters are encouraged to check the status of their local rink here before heading out.

In a release, Mayor John Tory said he encourages residents to enjoy outdoor urban spaces this winter.

“This year, there are lots of great winter activities for residents to enjoy, including skate trails, toboggan hills, outdoor rinks, and more. I welcome and encourage everyone to explore and enjoy Toronto’s beautiful parks and recreational activities during the month. -the winter months,” said Tory.

The following facilities will be open as part of Welcome TO Winter:

• More than 1,500 parks.
• 28 toboggan hills in the neighborhood.
• 54 man-made outdoor ice rinks and skate trails.
• Seven snow spins for walking and snowshoeing on the city’s four golf courses.
• Ski and snowboard at Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre, 4169 Bathurst St. (depending on weather and snowfall).
• 143 locations with park toilets are available during the winter months, including 52 park toilets, 47 outdoor arena toilets and 44 locations with portable toilets.
• 70 outdoor table tennis and 60 outdoor chess tables.
• 30 parks with outdoor fitness equipment and an archery range at ET Seton Park, 73 Thorncliffe Park Dr.
• 24 fire pits available to order.
• Outdoor sports courts, including 50 tennis courts with netting in place for winter tennis (snow not cleared off the courts).
• Seven disc golf locations are open year-round.
• Five outdoor roasting ovens are available to order.

The 56th annual Cavalcade of Lights presented by Desjardins Financial Group will kick off at Nathan Philips Square on Saturday and run through Saturday, January 7th.

This Saturday, a special family-friendly program will start at 3pm and last until 11:00pm. The tree and square lighting ceremony will take place at 8:30pm