Winterlude Waltz

At 7.8 km (4.8 miles), the Rideau canal in Ottawa, Canada becomes the world's longest skating rink every winter. It has an ice surface equivalent to 100 olympic skating rinks, and services approximately a million skaters every year.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Winterlude
• Skating
• Rideau
• Canal
• Skateway
• Ottawa
• Ontario
• Canada
• Ice
• Waltz

[brycerice1]

Wonderful video! The music and video go together so well. I was wondering: what is the song playing in the background? Thanks!

[lemonrind]

@brycerice1 The song is known in English as The Skaters' Waltz. That is why it goes so well together. :) This version was performed by the Mantovani Orchestra.

[stickershomeplus]

Lovely! Wonderful music. Is there room for a really horrible skater like me? No snow where I live, and I surely miss it. My mind is made uip. Winterlude 2010!

[lemonrind]

There are skaters of all abilities on the canal. Also, if you can't skate, you can just walk on the canal.

The canal is not the best place to learn how to skate though, because it is not as smooth as an indoor rink.

[lemonrind]

Winterlude is awesome, but only when the weather cooperates.

This year, we had great conditions all winter. Lots of cold early on to make thick ice, and lots of snow. But this week, heavy warm rains from the south have melted most of the snow and closed the canal. :( Rain is VERY rare in February in Ottawa.

I reccomend you wait until January to decide if you want to come. Ask someone from here if the weather conditions have been good for Winterlude before comming.

[k9henrydog]

I love this tape!!! I make it full screen, and for all intents and purposes, I am there!!! and I didn't have to endure flight cancellations, lost baggage, or cramped seating!!! A wonderful diversion, wherever you are!! best wishes

[lemonrind]

Thanks! Certainly a ringing endorsement. Have you skated on the Rideau Canal before?

[Ovechkin8IsGreat]

1:11 It's gonna eat ya'lls.

[pdqlib]

Beautiful video. Keep it up. You have a real feel for it.

[hcgnkhu]

This is so hilarious XD This is what makes me laugh.

[jadehhh]

This was nice to watch. Calming, even.

My favourite part was the person skating by with a baby stroller, heh.

[CatpurrRobertaBobbi]

I live here and have not skated since Grade 7 and have not walked on the ice since 92. I will say the same thing I say every year. The same thing every Ottawan says when its -40 and we laugh at people who paid thousands to get to Winterlude. Tourists from countries miles away. Who were 100 buck sweatshirts they will never wear again. Who pose for a pic with the Ice Hogs and then eat overpriced Beavertails and hot chocolate. Those five words- AH WELL MAYBE NEXT YEAR!

[juliasthang]

lol it back open again and i am planning to enjoy it with my family at the canal since it family day:)

[stickershomeplus]

Hey Lemonrind

Thank you for the advice. Next year 2010, I will inquire about weather conditions before making the trip. I will be coming from the UK, so that's no small matter! By the way, I'm going to take skating lessons in the UK before I come to improve my skating. I want to be ready to really enjoy Winterlude. I'd like to say that your post has influenced me to make the trip. I first saw the Rideau Canal from an airplane flying from Chicago, my home town. It was fascinating!