Categories: Things To Do

Toronto’s ice trail under the Gardiner Expressway is hosting a pants-less skate

Toronto’s favourite downtown skating trail is reopening for the season! The Bentway will welcome skaters to the ice on December 17th and it has all kinds of fun plans in store.

The 220-metre figure-eight skate trail is located under the Gardiner Expressway, with free lessons, rentals, hot cocoa, and entertainment to make this season extra special.

Most excitingly, though, is the Polar Bear Skate on December 31st that only the bravest folks will have the guts to participate in.

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“Both a clothing drive and a wild way to close out the year, brave Torontonians are invited to strip down to their skivvies and skate the trail for a good cause,” says a description of the event from The Bentway.

New Circles Community Services will be collecting warm winter clothing donations on-site, which will distributed to newcomer and refugee families experiencing winter in Toronto for the first time.

You’ll be skating your way along the trail in what will likely be sub-zero temperatures, so if you accept the challenge, you can register in advance to participate.

Starting on opening day until January 8th, skating will be open at The Bentway every day from 12 PM to 9 PM, including skate rentals, skate sharpening, and a hot chocolate bar.

And from January 8th to February 20th, skate rentals will available for free every Friday from 5 PM to 9 PM.

On Monday evenings, you can warm up with a cup of free hot chocolate and free skate lessons for all ages will be offered by registration on Tuesday evenings.

In addition to the ice trail, The Bentway will showcase a new art programming series called First Winter, including a glowing installation by Shellie Zhang.

The Bentway is one of many popular outdoor rinks around Toronto and we can’t wait to lace up our skates for another season of winter fun.

Polar Bear Skate

When: December 31st, 2022, 12 PM
Where: The Bentway Skate Trail, 250 Fort York Blvd

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