Are there any indoor ice rinks for winter fun in Calgary?

Calgary has one of the most developed networks of indoor ice arenas in Canada, with over 20 modern sports complexes providing winter entertainment for city residents all year round. From Olympic ice to public skating rinks, professional hockey arenas to family recreation centers, the city offers a variety of skating opportunities for all ages and skill levels.

Municipal arenas: ice for everyone

The City of Calgary operates 19 ice arenas in 12 locations across the city, providing equal access to winter recreation for residents in all neighbourhoods. These municipal facilities offer a wide range of programs, including public skating, family sessions, programs for people 50+, and “sticks, pucks, and rings” activities.

Major municipal arenas include:

  • Stu Peppard Arena (5300 19 Street SW) – a 185' x 85' artificial ice surface arena with seating for 550 spectators. The arena is home to the Junior B Royals and AAA Midget Royals.
  • Village Square Arena (2623 56 St. NE) – a fully serviced covered ice arena located in the Village Square Leisure Centre. Open during prime season (September-March) from 4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends.
  • Southland Arena (2000 Southland Drive SW) offers public skating from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and family sessions at similar times.

World-class Olympic ice

The Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary is the jewel of the city's winter entertainment. Known as “the best ice in Calgary” and “the fastest ice in the world,” this 1988 Winter Olympics heritage facility remains an active center for both professional sports and public recreation.

The Olympic Oval offers recreational skating to the general public, although unfortunately, the arena's ice system is nearing the end of its life cycle due to numerous brine leaks among the 400 pipe connections under the floor. Arena Director Mark Messer notes, "We've done everything that could be done to maintain it. The only way to fix it is to replace the floor."

University and college arenas

  • Father David Bauer Arena (2424 University Drive NW) – Opened in 1963, this arena is home to the Dinos hockey teams and the Western Hockey League offices. Hockey games are played on an Olympic-sized ice surface (200' x 100') with seating for 1,750 spectators.
  • Flames Community Arena serves as the home arena for the Mount Royal Cougars men's hockey team and offers multiple ice surfaces, including the Blue, Gold, and Red arenas.

State-of-the-art private complex

The Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the Tsuut'ina Nation is the largest sports facility in Western Canada. This 228,000-square-foot, $55.6 million complex includes two indoor NHL-sized arenas with a combined capacity of over 3,000 spectators and a third indoor outdoor arena.

  • Big 4 Motors Arena seats over 2,000 spectators with comfortable seating, radiant floor heating, eight well-equipped locker rooms, concession stands, and a 500-square-foot VIP suite.
  • Arena 2 has an NHL-sized rink with seating for over 400 spectators.

Community sports complexes

  • Bowness Community Association Sportsplex Bowness Sportsplex (7904 43 Avenue NW) offers an NHL-sized ice surface with 6 locker rooms and daily ice time from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The facility is an inclusive space open to all, with ample free parking and friendly staff.

  • Brentwood Sportsplex Brentwood Sportsplex (1520 Northmount Drive NW) has a multi-purpose arena available for rent. Ice rentals are available from August to March, and arena rentals for dry events are available from April to July.

YMCA Ice Centers

YMCA Calgary operates two modern ice facilities:

  • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge offers both Leisure Ice and an NHL-sized hockey arena.
  • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton has two NHL-sized hockey arenas.

Rental and drop-in ice fees range from $175 to $330 per hour depending on the time and type of ice.

Specialized facilities

  • The Hockey Hub YYC (10 Stonehill Pl NE) is a private facility dedicated to hockey, athletes, and the community. It offers a 3-on-3 ice surface with skill equipment, ideal for individual training, group lessons, or games.

  • Oakridge Community Centre Arena Oakridge Community Centre Arena is known as the home of “the best ice in Calgary.” The arena offers both contract ice time and drop-in bookings, available from August through the third week of March.

Schedules and availability

Most municipal arenas operate during prime season from September to March. General hours include prime time (4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekdays) and off-peak time (6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

City ice centers offer a variety of programs:

  • Public skating
  • Family skating sessions
  • 50+ leisure skate programs
  • Sticks, pucks, and rings activities

Cost and availability

The cost of admission varies depending on the type of facility:

Leisure centers (2025 prices):

  • Adults: $14.90 per visit

  • Youth (13-17): $9.95

  • Children (6-12): $7.70

  • Seniors (65+): $6.70

  • 10-visit passes offer significant discounts

Swimming pools (for comparison):

  • Adults: $8.95 per visit
  • Youth: $6.00
  • Children: $4.50

Challenges and prospects

Although Calgary has an impressive network of ice facilities, some are facing challenges. WinSport has made the difficult decision to indefinitely suspend operations at the Markin MacPhail Centre. Public skating, public figure skating, and stick & puck sessions hosted by WinSport have been canceled indefinitely.

The Olympic Oval, despite its status as the fastest ice in the world, is facing serious technical issues. Canadian speed skaters fear losing the ice due to a potentially catastrophic system failure.

Accessibility and inclusivity

Calgary demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity in its ice facilities. The Seven Chiefs Sportsplex emphasizes that it is a “vibrant and inclusive complex where everyone is welcome.” The Bowness Sportsplex also positions itself as an “inclusive space open to all.”

All municipal facilities are wheelchair accessible and offer a variety of programs for different age groups and skill levels.

Conclusions

Calgary undoubtedly has one of the best indoor ice rink networks in Canada, with over 20 modern facilities. From the historic Olympic Oval to the state-of-the-art Seven Chiefs Sportsplex, from accessible municipal arenas to specialized hockey centers, the city offers a wide range of winter recreation opportunities.

These facilities serve over a million residents of Calgary and the surrounding region, offering programs ranging from beginner skating lessons to world-class professional sports. Despite some challenges faced by individual facilities, the overall infrastructure remains reliable and accessible year-round.

For Calgary residents and visitors, the question is not whether there are indoor ice rinks, but rather which of the many high-quality options to choose from to suit their needs, budget, and skill level.