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In winter the Plains of Abraham offer about 11 km of groomed cross country ski trails (classic and skate), a 3.8 km snowshoe loop, 5.6 km of walking trails and sliding areas prepared behind the Plains of Abraham Museum. The waxing room is at the Montcalm entrance near Grande Allée. Free to use from mid December to the end of March, depending on snow (bring your own sled; lessons and rentals cost extra).

A groomed winter trail on the east side of the Rideau River, running from North River Road through Vincent Massey Park to Bank Street. It is part of the NCC's free multi use winter trail network for walking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking, kept up by volunteers once there is snow. Hurdman Station gives direct transit access. Free for everyone.

A groomed winter trail in Ottawa's west end, running near Mud Lake from Andrew Haydon Park to Woodroffe Avenue. It is part of the NCC's free multi use winter trail network for walking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking, and is kept up by volunteers once the snow arrives. There is parking at Britannia Park, Deschênes Rapids and Andrew Haydon Park, and OC Transpo stops at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre. Free for everyone.

A groomed winter trail along the Ottawa River from Westboro Beach to the Portage Bridge, with lovely river views all the way. It is part of the NCC's free multi use winter trail network, which is used for walking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. The trail is maintained by the Urban Winter Trails Alliance and volunteers and opens once there is enough snow. It is free, and you can reach it by O-Train at Bayview, Pimisi or Kìchì Sìbì stations.

A refrigerated outdoor rink in front of Ben Franklin Place in Centrepointe, open daily from 9 am to 11 pm in the skating season, with special hours over the holidays. There are skate changing huts on site, and washrooms inside Ben Franklin Place from 8 am to 8 pm. The City of Ottawa says outdoor rinks are free to use. Bring your own skates.

A covered, refrigerated outdoor rink at the Canterbury Recreation Complex, so the ice holds up better than on natural rinks. It is open for skating from November to April, weather permitting, with public skating sessions on most days (check the City schedule for times). The City of Ottawa says outdoor rinks are free to use. Children 10 and under must wear a CSA certified hockey helmet.

The Rideau Canal Skateway turns the frozen canal into a long skating path right through the heart of Ottawa, from downtown to Dows Lake. Skating here past the city skyline is one of the great Canadian winter experiences. The season usually runs from January to early March depending on the weather, and when it is open it is accessible 24 hours a day. Skating is free; check the NCC ice conditions page before you go.

A small new outdoor fitness area along the pathway on the east side of Scotia Parkette in Scarborough, with pull up bars, push up bars, a balance beam, a long bench and instruction panels. It opened in November 2026, is free to use and was designed to meet Ontario accessibility standards. Open year round in park hours; check the city page for updates.

A brand new outdoor fitness area in Eglinton Flats, just south of the Emmett Community Garden building, with six pieces of full body equipment such as exercise bars, stepping benches and an overhead climber. It opened in October 2026 and is free to use, with no booking needed. Open year round in park hours; check the city page for updates.

The big hill at Centennial Park in Etobicoke, one of the largest parks in the city, which the City keeps as a designated tobogganing hill. Sledding is free. It depends on snow, usually from December to March, and the City may close hills when conditions are unsafe; check the city page before you go and wear a helmet.

A modern hilly park at Bayview Avenue and King Street East, built on a flood protection berm, whose slopes become a sledding spot in winter. It is on the City of Toronto's list of designated tobogganing hills and is free to use. Sledding depends on snow, usually from December to March, and the City may close hills when conditions are unsafe; check the city page before you go and wear a helmet.

A sledding hill in Thomson Memorial Park, a large Scarborough park on Brimley Road near Lawrence Avenue East. It is on the City of Toronto's list of designated tobogganing hills and is free to use. Sledding depends on snow, usually from December to March, and the City may close hills when conditions are unsafe; check the city page before you go and wear a helmet.