Ice Skating in the Shuswap | All You Need To Know!
Skating at Summitt Lake, B.C.
Photo | C. Tokarek
One of our most loved winter activities is packing up the skates and the kids and enjoying a winter’s day rink side! We are so lucky, here in the Shuswap to have a great selection of both, maintained and natural outdoor rinks, each one offering a new and unique experience.
Winter in the Shuswap can be so magical, full of timeless fun. Embrace the cooler temperatures and capture the essence of winter while engaging with our community, connecting with nature, and spending the days outdoors!
The All You Need To Know Guide includes information on local skate sharpening, ice safety guides, and inspirational insight to all the magical spots in the beautiful Shuswap!
Load the gear, spend the day, and discover the thrill!
Little, happy skater enjoying Celista outdoor rink.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Skate The North Shuswap!
Farrell’s Field | Celista
The two ingredients for a fantastic family day is fun and connection! Exercise and adventure are a bonus! Farrells Field in the North Shuswap offers the perfect place for families to indulge in the all-Canadian favorite pastime of ice skating outdoors. This North Shuswap gem boasts 17,000 square feet of glistening glory! The rink is beautifully lit at night, and the music is playing, making for a magical winter experience under the stars. It is open from 8 am-11 pm.
The incredible Farrell’s Field Outdoor skating rink in Celista BC
Photo | Karen & Brian Ruddock
Farrell’s Field is a CSRD funded rink although the true stars here are the decade-long caretakers, Brian & Karen Ruddock. Together they work so hard to create and build the most special of all the rinks in the Shuswap. Say hello to these friendly faces and you will enjoy years of stories of the kids growing up at the rink and the endless visitors and special volunteers alike.
This beloved rink also boosts a short and sweet trail system (approximately 2km) through the forest beside the rink. These hiking or snowshoeing trails are very well marked and easy to navigate. Even the youngest of adventurers will enjoy this beautiful forest and canyon walk.
Need to know: The Skate Shack is temporarily closed due to Covid, so unfortunately there is no borrowing of skates or helmets at this time.
Also, there is no firepit right now. Feel free to bring your own BBQ to enjoy that classic hotdog rinkside!
Location: Farrell's Field is located on Meadow Creek Road in Celista, BC just past Leopold Road
Address: 5051 Meadow Creek Rd, Celista, BC
Farrell’s Field, Celista, BC | Skating at dusk
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Farrell’s Field, Celista, BC | Skating Shack
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Brian Ruddock maintaining the ice, while some of his biggest fans cheer him on rinkside!
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Art Holding Memorial Arena | Chase B.C.
Last winter, Chase Rink was our go-to Friday, after school fun spot! Sadly this year, there is no Friday-night-lights public skate offered. Although, you CAN still enjoy this great neighborhood rink with a little pre-planning!
Art Holding Memorial Arena offers the ice rink to rent for family skate. You can book the rink hourly for around $117 an hour with a maximum number of people allowed.
Need to know: Be prepared to be flexible on times though and like all indoor activities, there are public health orders that must be followed.
Contact information: Douglas Copeland
TEXT only please: 250-318-3888
Email: chasearena@gmail.com
Location: 320 Shepherd Road, Chase B.C.
Skate The South Shuswap!
Little White Lake
One of the best things about winter is an old fashioned family day, ice skating, playing hockey, and fishing on a sparkling frozen lake. Located in the heart of the South Shuswap, White Lake is a year-round recreational playground and provides fun for all! In the wintertime, the lake transforms into a wintery wonderland and community gathering spot. Indulge in the nostalgic feelings and experience these iconic cold-weather pastimes!
Need to know: Ice Safety comes first, please read the guides below.
You may want to bring a chair here to change into your skates or to be a spectator
Cherry boys skating on little White Lake
Photo | Cindy Cameron-Cherry
White Lake, BC | Shuswap Adventure Girl
Skimikin Lake | Tappen Valley
As far as winter sports go, skating, sliding, and snowmobiling are on the top of the fun list! There is something about gliding on a frozen lake, zipping down a hill, or zooming through a forest that can enliven our spirits! Skimikin Lake offers an ice skating rink, great sliding hills, and winter trails to take on these timeless and exhilarating family traditions. To further explore the beauty of the Tappen Valley, you can snowshoe, hike, or cross-country ski on one of the many short looped Nordic trails near the lake.
Need to know: Ice Safety comes first, please read the guides below.
You may want to bring a chair here to change into your skates or to be a spectator
Skating on Skimikin Lake, Tappen Valley BC
Photo | Amber Mackie
Skimikin Lake, Tappen Valley, BC | Shuswap Adventure Girl
Sorrento Blind Bay Park | Sorrento
If old man winter chooses to cooperate and weather conditions are favorable, an outdoor skating rink is maintained for families and friends to enjoy! This great little neighborhood ice rink is lit at night and provides a fun weeknight outing!
Encourage the family to try snowshoeing this winter! Among the trees, there is a short route around the perimeter of the park, next to a picturesque creek. If there is not enough snow, this little 0.7 km trail loop is a great walk for the whole family. We are looking forward to the weather getting colder and this close-to-home rink opening soon!
Need to know: Please don’t skate on this rink while it is CLOSED, it ruins it for the rest of us and prolongs the opening. Always know before you go and check with CSRD on its current status.
https://www.csrd.bc.ca/news-notices/news/2021-01-26/outdoor-rinks-find-out-whats-open
Outdoor rink at Sorrento Blind Bay Park | Shuswap Adventure Girl
Sorrento - Blind Bay outdoor skating rink
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Sorrento - Blind Bay Park perimeter forest trail - a pleasant little walk through the woods!
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Skate The Shuswap!
Salmon Arm Recreation | Hucul Pond | Salmon Arm
As of Monday, Jan 18, 2021, The Shaw Centre will be offering public skating. Participants MUST pre-register online.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1-2 pm with skate rentals available on select days only.
https://salmonarmrecreation.ca/skating-schedule
Need to know: This sounds like it could change at any moment, especially after February 5th’s public health announcement. Please check their website for current guidelines and restrictions.
Silver Creek Community Park | Silver Creek
”There's been some bad news for skaters looking to strap on the blades in Sorrento, Blind Bay and Silver Creek. The rink at the Silver Creek Community Park will not be operational for the 2021 skating season due to problems with the well that serves the park. Without access to the appropriate water, the ice rink can not be constructed to a safe standard.”
-CSRD, news-notices, January 26, 2021. outdoor rinks, find out what’s open.
For more information click here
Enjoying the Shuswap outdoor rinks
Photo | Amber Mackie
Build Your Own Rink!
Are you dreaming of a backyard winter wonderland, kids laughing, sticks slapping, ice sparkling? Well, dream no more! Building your own backyard rink apparently isn't as hard as you think: All you need is space, patience, and frosty temperatures. Oh, and a nice flat backyard is also necessary. Many families have opted to stay put and build their own slice of frozen heaven this year.
My absolute favorite countryside, picture-perfect rink goes to a good friend of mine here in the Shuswap! Check out this beauty!
Backyard rink in the making!
Photo | J. Romyn
Backyard rink with ice!
Photo | J. Romyn
Not only is a backyard rink good for the kids, but there is also something very nostalgic about even the most modest home-grown rink. Time spent can pull at the heartstrings of the best of us! Old and young can rejoice in the simplicity of a backyard rink, for this is where memories are made.
““That patch of a frozen sheet of water is where the dreams begin. In the dim back door porch light, a star is born”
Cyril Fowlie”
Nostalgia! Hockey family growing up on the rinks!
Photo | Fowlie Family | Prince George, BC
Get Your GEAR!
Skate Sharpening | South Shuswap
Do you like to support local businesses whenever and wherever possible? I know I do! And we are so fortunate to have local skate sharpening at our fingertips here in the South Shuswap! Located in the heart of Blind Bay, long time residents and skating experts, Amber and Jon are happy to hear from you! Jon specializes in both hockey and figure skates.
Contact: Jon Mackie 250-253-2480 text or call
“With Amber’s knowledge and experience with figure skating and Jonathan’s technical training of proper skate maintenance, you won’t be disappointed of the quality of work or the pricing. A great local business and wonderful people to support in our community.
~ Shuswap Business Solutions”
Buying Skates Locally
The local Buy and Sells, including Salmon Arm Mom Swap, seems to be the best place to find inexpensive and good skates. Sometimes you will score a great deal at your local thrift or second-hand store too!
If you are looking to buy new in Salmon Arm, Canadian Tire has your basic ranges and then more expensive/higher-end skates can be found at Sport Chek.
”Consignor Sports” in Kamloops comes highly recommended. The owner is originally from Blind Bay and is known to be super helpful in choosing the right gear. A local hockey mom and friend of mine boasts that his prices are great too!
H is for Helmets
It is strongly recommended that kids wear helmets on the ice, adults alike.
Good news though, you do not have to invest in an expensive hockey or snow sport helmet if you are just wanting to skate recreationally, bicycle helmets are fine if that’s all you have! We use a combination of hockey, bike, and snowboard helmets for our three kids on the ice.
A nice, thin but warm balaclava under the helmet helps keep those sweaty skaters warm and happy!
Littlest Adventure Girl sporting her skating helmet
Little Adventure Girl sporting her fancy skating helmet
Skate Safely | Safe Ice Tips
Please, always consider the risks of skating on natural ice before heading out.
See more information on ice safety from the following resources:
Canadian Red Cross| Ice Safety
Adventure Smart BC | Ice Safety
Skating on Summit Lake, BC
Photo | C. Tokarek
