Hockey as we know it was born in the great outdoors, on countless frozen lakes and ponds across the northern hemisphere. Today, outdoor hockey still epitomizes the true romance of the sport we love. From playing pickup games in the backyard to watching the pros under the lights at the NHL Winter Classic, there’s simply something magical about outdoor hockey than an indoor rink simply can’t replicate.
And while all outdoor hockey is special in its own way, there are some rinks that simply stand apart as the most breathtaking we’ve seen. This got us thinking about what it would be like to lace ‘em up on some of the most scenic or historic surfaces in the world today – so we decided to put together a list of our favorites.
Here are five of the most epic outdoor rinks in the world today, each offering something a little different for everyone from hardcore hockey fans to casual skaters.
Lake Louise in Banff, Canada
Lake Louise is already one of the most gorgeous mountain locations in the world, but when you add in its crystal-clear ice just begging to be skated during the winter months, it becomes a hockey lover’s paradise. And unlike most natural skating spots, Lake Louise is frequently groomed by a Zamboni from a nearby resort, making it perfectly smooth and ready to be carved up day after day.
Westchester Lagoon in Anchorage, Alaska
Westchester Lagoon is a favorite skating spot for the Anchorage locals, and unlike Lake Louise, it’s known for inspiring more than a handful of pickup hockey games on any given day – so make sure you pack a twig or two. The 50-plus-acre lake has everything you need for an afternoon on the ice, from a wooded hillside with a beaver lodge to passing trains and a completely unobstructed view of the Chugach Mountain Front.
Best of all, the Anchorage Parks Department monitors the ice’s thickness during the winter, so once it grows to at least 12 inches, hop-mopping and other maintenance are authorized to help keep skating alive regardless of snowfall.
Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Next on our list is the site of the 2014 NHL Winter Classic. Nicknamed “The Big House,” Michigan Stadium is the largest stadium in the western hemisphere and the third-largest stadium in the world, seating over 107,000 screaming faithful. It’s no surprise it became the setting of the highest-attended and one of the most dramatic Winter Classics ever, with the Leafs beating the Wings in a 3-2 shootout in Jan. 1, 2014.
The Original-Six showdown in one of the most historic venues in college football became the most-watched regular season game ever at the time, with more than 8 million viewers tuning in throughout North America. The sheer scale of the stadium and of the game itself made it a must-add to our list of epic rinks.
Edgewood Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Yet another mountainside rink, Edgewood Tahoe is nestled beside the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, offering a dreamlike scene for a pickup game or a simple evening skate under its draped lights.
The rink even hosted a pair of NHL regular season games in February of 2021, with the Avs taking the first matchup from Vegas 3-2 followed by the Bruins torching the Flyers 7-3 in the second game. It’s a true one-of-a-kind rink in one of the most scenic locations in the U.S.
Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada
While not as much of a traditional hockey rink as the others on our list, the Rideau Canal in Ottawa offers as unique and breathtaking an experience as any rink in the world. Connecting Kingston and Ottawa, the canal was built in 1832, making it the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America.
During the winter months, the canal is transformed into one of the largest outdoor rinks in the world – an almost five-mile-long skateway with a total surface equal to that of 90 Olympic hockey rinks put together. The canal goes right through the center of the Canadian capital and is one of the best ways to take in the city’s scenic views.
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