Assiniboine Park Duck Pond opens for skating Saturday, Forks opens land trails

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The Riley Family Duck Pond at Assiniboine Park will open for skating on Saturday. The Assiniboine Park Conservancy also announced that the Park’s cross-country ski trails and toboggan hill are now open for the season.

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“Assiniboine Park a great place to enjoy a variety of outdoor winter activities from sledding to skating and cross-country skiing,” said Georgia Sigurdson, communications coordinator for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. “Fresh air, exercise, and time spent in nature is good for us all at any time of year, so we are encouraging Park visitors to bundle up, head outside, and embrace the wonders of winter!”

The warm-up shelter at the Duck Pond will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering washroom facilities and a place to warm up. Outdoor picnic tables are also available. Lighting displays will enhance the atmosphere for skating under the stars. Visitors are reminded that hockey sticks and pucks are not permitted and to stay off the ice when plowing and flooding are underway.

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The Park’s cross-country ski trails feature approximately four kilometres of groomed routes across three loops near the Duck Pond, Pavilion, and The Leaf. Trails are regularly groomed for both freestyle and classic skiing. The toboggan hill is located near the Nature Playground, within walking distance of the Duck Pond.

Starting Dec. 27, the Winnipeg Trails Association will open its pop-up location next to the Duck Pond, offering equipment rentals for cross-country skis, kicksleds, and a limited supply of ice skates. Rentals are available by donation and on a first-come, first-served basis.

New this winter, The Backyard Barrel will offer a community cedar barrel sauna experience at the Cargo Bar pop-up patio. This cozy, aromatic sauna provides a relaxing escape for visitors.

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Looking ahead, the Park will host the “We Are Winter Celebration” from Jan. 10-12, featuring outdoor adventures, entertainment, fire pits, free hot chocolate, and more. Additional details will be released soon.

The Forks fully opens winter park

All of the on-land skating trails and rinks that make up Winter Park at The Forks are now open. 
 
Skating rinks, both under the canopy by The Forks Market and by the CN Stage, along with over 1 km of skating trail have been flooded, groomed, and prepared for visitors to use. 

The Nestaweya River Trail is yet to open, and though trained crews have begun testing and flooding the Port Rink, The Forks reminds everyone to stay off the rivers until they are deemed safe and open to the public. 
 
A skate change area is available inside The Forks Market atrium, and visitors are welcome to bring their own equipment, or they can rent from Iceland Skate Rentals, with hockey and figure skates available in all sizes.

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