Great things to do in Winnipeg: Skating at the Forks

Manitoba 150 River
Trail

Manitoba 150 Trails:
Open

With over 1km of
additional skating trails and three separate rinks, there's still plenty of
opportunity to fulfill your ice skating needs at The Forks. Whether your prefer
to get your skating done bathed in that prairie sunshine or underneath the
glittering lights of Arctic Glacier Winter Park, your skate setting is sure to
be scenic. Past winners of the Warming Huts competition will join this year's
winners alongside the Manitoba 150 Trails as part of a Warming Huts village.

Manitoba 150 River
Trail: Closed for the season.

Experience a Winnipeg
tradition and skate, walk, run, or sled your way along the Manitoba 150 River
Trail. Starting in the heart of the city, the Guinness World Record-holding
longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world offers the unique
experience of seeing the sights of Winnipeg from the frozen Red and Assiniboine
Rivers.

Programming

The Manitoba 150
River Trail is about more than just skating. Venture out and enjoy a variety of
outdoor activities: walking, curling, hockey, rugby, family activities,
cycling, broomball, and more. Join us for special events the whole family can
enjoy on select weekends throughout the winter.

Warming Huts v.2020:
An Art & Architecture Competition on Ice

Spot five new,
one-of-a-kind huts on the site this year, including a performance pavilion,
complete with a performace by Royal Canoe using instruments created out of
harvested ice. For more information, visit warminghuts.com

Manitoba 150 River
Trail Tips

1. Be sure to enter and exit
   the trail from the designated access points. The riverbank is unstable
   along certain sections and may not be safe to use.
2. Find out what trail
   conditions are like by checking this website. It will be updated daily
   with grooming reports, closures, and trail conditions.
3. Check the wind direction.
   You may not feel the wind if it’s at your back, but it may be an issue
   when skating in to it.
4. Know your limits. 5
   kilometres is nice trek, but remember it’s also 5 kilometres back.
5. Slow down when approaching
   the bridges. Sand from the streets above can sometimes fall onto the trail
   making it uneven.
6. Remember the river is a
   moving organic entity. Surface cracks can appear anywhere along the trail.
   Be vigilant.
7. On snowfall days please stay
   off the trail until we can clear it. Packed snow is very hard to remove.
8. Watch out for flooding
   machines, tractors and Zambonis.
9. Respect private property and
   stay away from outfalls and thin ice signs.
10. If you have garbage, keep it
    with you and dispose of it properly.
11. Furry friends are welcome,
    but please keep them on-leash and ensure you clean up after them.

Skate Rentals

Skate Rentals are
available from Iceland Skate Rentals located in The Forks Market from 10am to
10pm daily.

Rental Rates

• Children and Seniors - $4
• Adults - $6
• Skate trainers are available
  - $3
• Skate sharpening available -
  $6

Call (204) 955-8814
for more information or to book your group’s skate rentals.

FAQ

When does the
Manitoba 150 River Trail open/close?

The Manitoba 150
River Trail is completely dependent on the weather and ice conditions.
Therefore we do not have a set open or close date. In the past, the trail has
opened in January and usually closes in March. Check the website for updates.

Why are some sections
of the trail closed even if I think the river looks safe to skate on?

The Manitoba 150
River Trail is monitored daily and closes based on ice quality, cracks, and the
ability to get our ice grooming machines to that particular section of the
trail. We close sections for the safety of guests and staff so it is only safe
to skate on the sections our website lists as open. Check our website for daily
updates and conditions.

How do I access the
Manitoba 150 River Trail?

You can access the
Manitoba 150 River Trail from The Forks and there are a variety of other access
points along the river. Make sure to check the website for which access points
are open.

Does The Forks rent
skates and where can I get them?

Yes skate rentals are
available from Iceland Skate Rentals located in The Forks Market from 10am to
10pm daily. Rates are $4 for children and seniors and $6 for adults. Skate
trainers are available for $3. Call (204) 955-8814 for more information or to
book your group’s skate rentals.

How long is the
Manitoba 150 River Trail and where does it go?

The Manitoba 150
River Trail is on the Assiniboine and/or Red Rivers. Where the Manitoba 150
River Trail goes and the length of the trail varies every year. It is dependent
on how the river freezes and weather conditions. Check website for up to date
information on the trail.

When is the Manitoba
150 River Trail groomed?

The Manitoba 150
River Trail is groomed daily using a variety of methods. Check the website for
ice conditions.

Are there places to
eat on the Manitoba 150 River Trail?

The Forks Market
offers a wide variety of international quick-service food vendors and sit-down
restaurants. There are food vendors on the Manitoba 150 River Trail, such as
the pop-up restaurant Raw: Almond, select evenings and weekends.

How much does the
Manitoba 150 River Trail cost?

The Manitoba 150
River Trail is completely free for people to use.

When do the Warming
Huts go on the trail?

We typically get the
Warming Huts built and on the trail for the third week of January but the
process is weather dependent. Check the website for updates.

What are the hours of
the Manitoba 150 River Trail?

There are no set
hours for the Manitoba 150 River Trail. However the ice is groomed late night
or early morning so be aware of machines and staff on the ice.

Information courtesy of The Forks website.