Ice Skating in Kimberley: Indoor, Outdoor, and Further Out
Strap up your skates and slide into some classic, Canadian fun. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous day out, want to find fun with the whole family, or jump at the chance of spending a quiet afternoon gliding through nature, a day spent ice skating here is a day well-spent.
Indoor Skating
To stick indoors, head to Kimberley’s Civic Centre to skate where the Kimberley Dynamiters play. The Civic Centre offers both public skating and drop-in hockey, and is a great place to spend the afternoon. Public skating is appropriate for all ages, though children aged 7 and younger must be accompanied on-ice by an adult wearing skates, and children ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult who is either on or off the ice. Drop-in hockey is available at both the Kimberley Civic Centre and the Marysville Arena during designated times, and is a fun way to get some exercise and meet the local crowd.
Bonus: For those looking to keep active off the ice while their loved ones skate, the Kimberley Civic Centre also has a designated indoor walking track during the winter months
Outdoor Rinks
Grab some skates from the Rental Shop at the Kimberley Alpine Resort, then get ready for a game of pick-up hockey at a neighbourhood ice rink. Find outdoor rinks in the neighbourhoods of Townsite and Marysville, as well as at Swan Park and Garden Park. Having trouble finding our outdoor rinks? Ask a friendly Kimberley local to point you in the right direction, or stop by the Kimberley Visitor Centre for detailed orientation and other insider tips. Our 4 outdoor rinks are well-maintained, appropriate for all ages, and are a great place to bump elbows with new and old friends.
Tip: Looking to secure your own skating gear? Check out the quality used goods at Togs Consignment to stock up on skates, hockey sticks, helmets, and more
Further Out
Dreaming of frozen lakes and more off-the-beaten-path skating destinations? Whether you hope to take advantage of flash-freezes on pristine waterways, or prefer to enjoy the maintained paths on some of our surrounding mountain lakes, our further-out options offer beautiful nature, fun adventure, and plenty of good gliding.
- Wasa Lake Provincial Park. Make the short drive to Wasa Lake Provincial Park for beautiful views of the Canadian Rockies and smooth ice along the frozen waters. Wasa Lake has a resident-maintained 3km path to skate on, plus a great outdoor rink at the Wasa Lions Grounds. While at the Lions Grounds, be sure to warm up next to the outdoor fire pit and roast marshmallows in between games of shinny
- The Lake Windermere Whiteway. Make a day trip away from town and head a little further east for an epic day on the iconic Whiteway. The Whiteway is a 34 km groomed track that connects the towns of Invermere and Windermere. It is the World’s Longest Skating Path and has tracks for classic cross-country and skate skiing, alongside the cleared ice-skating track. To access the Whiteway, head to Kinsmen Beach and lace up your skates there. Kinsmen Beach also has a small outdoor skating rink and a firepit to warm up next to once the skating is done
- St. Mary Lake. Close to town is one of our favourite lakes to visit year-round: St. Mary Lake. With the towering Purcell Mountains surrounding the lake, and wildlife-viewing opportunities aplenty, St. Mary Lake is best for those looking to reconnect with nature while getting their outdoor exercise. Keep in mind that this lake does not have a maintained skating path, and may need to be cleared by-hand before being enjoyed
Note: when visiting any of our surrounding lakes, please be mindful of ice-thickness and safe skating conditions
For anyone looking to spend a little more time near the ice, the best way to wrap up a day skating is to cheer on the home hockey team alongside the rest of the family at the Kimberley Civic Centre. The Kimberley Dynamiters are our very own Junior B team, and watching a game here is a must-do activity for anyone who visits. Looking for more? Grab some more winter inspiration by taking a peek at our other winter indoor and outdoor favourites. There’s plenty of winter fun to be had here.