One of Toronto’s most iconic ice skating trails is soon making its much-anticipated return for the winter!
As of December 20, 2025, you’ll once again be able to lace up your skates and glide for free along The Bentway’s popular frozen trail, which is famously situated beneath the Gardiner Expressway.
The 220-meter-long, figure-eight-shaped ice rink is back for its eighth consecutive year, and is ready to welcome skaters back for “another magical season of skating under the city lights”, per their website. The Bentway’s winter skating program will host free daily sessions and a variety of special events throughout the season.
This includes a grand opening weekend celebration running from December 20 through 23, featuring some fantastic freebies including free skate rentals, hot drinks, maple taffy, and photo ops thanks to a collaboration with Batiste Dry Shampoo and Hero Patches. Opening weekend skating and associated events will run daily from noon to 9 p.m.
Another event the more adventurous can look fowards to later this month is the annual Polar Bear Skate, where skaters will strip down to their underwear for a few laps around the rink. During the event, donations of new or gently used shoes will be collected onsite by New Circles Community Services in support of local individuals or families living on a limited income.
This year’s Polar Bear Skate takes place on December 28 at noon.
For those who prefer to remain fully clothed, skating throughout the season on The Bentway trail is free for all visitors who bring their own skates, with no time limit on their session. Skate rentals are also available on-site for $12.99 and can be used for a two-hour period per visit. Additionally, hats, gloves, socks, and helmets are available for rent, and hot drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.
The winter skating program will run from December 20 to February 16, 2026. Operating hours from December 20 to January 4, 2026, are 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Beginning January 5, 2026, weekday hours shift to 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with weekend and holiday hours remaining 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.