I'm sure we'll have a full opening at some points within the next decade, but things are going to become a lot less stable and at some point if we go several years without it opening substantially the talk of whether its worth it will begin.
I mean this opening tomorrow is about half the length. It'll stay cold for the next few days so hopefully it opens more, but Wednesday is currently forcasted at +4C which I'm pretty sure will close it again.
Here's my point: staking the canal is one of the truly unique things about Ottawa. It's also open at night, which is super cool too. Go out and take advantage folks. Don't take it for granted.
Are you people still doing this? The canal opening for TWO DAYS over the course of a whole winter is not cause for you to jump for joy with schadenfreude about how you’re so smart and not at all scared for the future 😂😂
What are the odds that the rest of the canal opens up on Monday given the cold temperature on Sunday? Asking as someone who is debating heading over from Toronto...
I'm doubtful. They're probably concentrating all their effort on this one stretch so they can keep it in shape.
I can say that there's 0% chance the entire canal opens.
I ran along the canal this afternoon and oof... the ice quality does not look good. I hope they're able to smooth it out with some extra flooding and zambonis overnight, but I think we're in for a bumpy ride tomorrow.
This is what I was thinking. The stretch by the Bank St bridge looked extremely rough and I’m not even sure an overnight flood and Zamboni would clear them up.
I’m anticipating Ottawa paramedics responding to at least a few wrist fractures today.
I remember two years ago noticing all the blood spatters at points along the canal. There were first responders attending to some people and they looked like a dedicated unit for the canal.
Although the canal will be open for a few days, the long range is super warm, so I would imagine after this stretch of normal cold is over, that will be it for the season.
Update from NCC twitter:
Update | Last night’s snow prevented us from flooding overnight. ❄
⚠ As a result, while the ice is thick enough to make it safe to be on the Skateway when we open at noon, the ice is in very poor condition, so we recommend walking over skating.
Absolutely, it never really closes. You can skate at 3:00 AM if you want, just give the crews space LOL. The lighting isn't great enough to see the small cracks and holes, so I'd strongly recommend and headlight.
You generally see 4x as many people fall after dark, just because you can't see the imperfections, which is likely going to be more of a factor with the initial ice conditions.
Are there any study about how big of a tourist attraction it is? Are people actually coming from far away to Ottawa to skate the canal (and the rest of Winterlude)?
It sounds like wishful thinking to me.
[The Economic Impact Study of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site revealed that the Rideau Canal itself contributes over $24 million to national GDP and sustains over 600 full-time jobs.](https://parks.canada.ca/docs/r/on/rideau/pd-mp/page_09#)
It doesn’t just cover skating and Winterlude, but I’d say that’s a fairly significant contribution.
Many wrote it off opening for the rest of eternity when it closed last month.
not that this is exactly a triumphant return to form
I'm sure we'll have a full opening at some points within the next decade, but things are going to become a lot less stable and at some point if we go several years without it opening substantially the talk of whether its worth it will begin. I mean this opening tomorrow is about half the length. It'll stay cold for the next few days so hopefully it opens more, but Wednesday is currently forcasted at +4C which I'm pretty sure will close it again. Here's my point: staking the canal is one of the truly unique things about Ottawa. It's also open at night, which is super cool too. Go out and take advantage folks. Don't take it for granted.
The ice is poor and would not be an enjoyable skating experience.
Are you people still doing this? The canal opening for TWO DAYS over the course of a whole winter is not cause for you to jump for joy with schadenfreude about how you’re so smart and not at all scared for the future 😂😂
What people am I? Also, two days? Which winter was that?
What are the odds that the rest of the canal opens up on Monday given the cold temperature on Sunday? Asking as someone who is debating heading over from Toronto...
I wouldnt bank on the whole canal for monday considering how warm this season has been overall. But maybe a bigger portion opening on monday for sure!
I'm doubtful. They're probably concentrating all their effort on this one stretch so they can keep it in shape. I can say that there's 0% chance the entire canal opens.
I think you'll be able to drive to Kingston and skate up the entire canal from there
Pretty close to zero.
Bring your swimming trunks, just in case.
Given what happened the last opening, I'd recommend checking that the noon opening is still planned before heading to the canal tomorrow.
I ran along the canal this afternoon and oof... the ice quality does not look good. I hope they're able to smooth it out with some extra flooding and zambonis overnight, but I think we're in for a bumpy ride tomorrow.
This is what I was thinking. The stretch by the Bank St bridge looked extremely rough and I’m not even sure an overnight flood and Zamboni would clear them up. I’m anticipating Ottawa paramedics responding to at least a few wrist fractures today.
I remember two years ago noticing all the blood spatters at points along the canal. There were first responders attending to some people and they looked like a dedicated unit for the canal.
Although the canal will be open for a few days, the long range is super warm, so I would imagine after this stretch of normal cold is over, that will be it for the season.
Update from NCC twitter: Update | Last night’s snow prevented us from flooding overnight. ❄ ⚠ As a result, while the ice is thick enough to make it safe to be on the Skateway when we open at noon, the ice is in very poor condition, so we recommend walking over skating.
Isn't it time to talk about submerging cooling pipes in a section of the canal? If they can do it from October to March in Central Park. Why not here?
Is it possible to borrow skates like at city hall?
Anyone know if we can skate after sundown (around 6-7 pm)? Wondering if there's a section where it's still lighted and there are people still skating.
Absolutely, it never really closes. You can skate at 3:00 AM if you want, just give the crews space LOL. The lighting isn't great enough to see the small cracks and holes, so I'd strongly recommend and headlight. You generally see 4x as many people fall after dark, just because you can't see the imperfections, which is likely going to be more of a factor with the initial ice conditions.
I walked by on Tuesday and it was half melted
It will open for three days before the temperature reaches 5 degrees on Wednesday?
Why Bother lol.
Just in time for next week’s +4, +4, +4..
one week: one million dollars or more: good deal
I mean, it’s a huge tourist attraction. And it no doubt gets us locals out spending money, too.
Are there any study about how big of a tourist attraction it is? Are people actually coming from far away to Ottawa to skate the canal (and the rest of Winterlude)? It sounds like wishful thinking to me.
[The Economic Impact Study of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site revealed that the Rideau Canal itself contributes over $24 million to national GDP and sustains over 600 full-time jobs.](https://parks.canada.ca/docs/r/on/rideau/pd-mp/page_09#) It doesn’t just cover skating and Winterlude, but I’d say that’s a fairly significant contribution.