On December 2, grab your skates and head on down to The Shipyards outdoor Skate Plaza, as it officially opens to the public for the season.
Surrounded by the beauty of the waterfront, many North Vancouver residents and visitors look forward to this annual activity where they can enjoy the covered outdoor skating rink as well as the variety of nearby shopping, dining and amenities. The Shipyards also offers weekend programming throughout the winter season, including live music, artisan markets and seasonal light displays.
The Skate Plaza will be open daily to the public from 1- 8pm with free admission from Friday, December 2 through March 2023. Skate rentals will be available at $5 for children and $7 for adults, along with free helmet and skate aid rentals.
Know Before You Go
- Avoid the crowds. Peak hours are weekday evenings and weekends.
- The Skate Plaza closes twice daily for maintenance at 3pm and 5pm for 30 minutes.
- Helmets are mandatory for children under the age of 12 and are provided free of charge. Rentals close 30 minutes before closing.
- Ice conditions can fluctuate and the rink may have to close unexpectedly due to maintenance or repairs.
About the Skate Plaza
Located on the waterfront at The Shipyards, the 12,000 square foot Skate Plaza is the region's largest covered outdoor skating rink, set against the beautiful backdrop of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains. Using 13 kilometres of piping under the surface to create the ice, the Skate Plaza also uses a CO2 chiller that feeds into the Lonsdale Energy Corporation (LEC) District Energy System, allowing heat from the ice system to heat surrounding buildings.
In the summer months, the adjacent 8,000 square foot space becomes a public water spray area. More information and updates on the Skate Plaza at The Shipyards is available at cnv.org/SkatePlaza.
Getting to The Shipyards
With its close proximity to The Lonsdale Quay Transit Exchange, the Shipyards is easy to access whatever mode of transportation you choose.
- Walk or Bike: Pedestrians and cyclists can take advantage of a number of routes linking Lower Lonsdale to the North Shore and beyond. We're one of the most pedestrian and bike-friendly communities in Metro Vancouver. Consider renting a Lime e-bike!
- Take Transit: The Shipyards is under a five minute walk from the Lonsdale Quay Exchange. Visit the TransLink website for more information. Connect to major transportation links like the SeaBus and R2 RapidBus via the Lonsdale Quay Exchange.
- Drive: If you need to drive to The Shipyards, there are many nearby parking options within a five minute walk of the Foot of Lonsdale. View our map of parking in Lower Lonsdale.