With temperatures now staying below zero, residents across the East Kootenay can lace up their skates to enjoy some outdoor skating.
Outdoor skating rinks and tracks are available for the public to enjoy in Cranbrook, Invermere and Sparwood.
Invermere’s famous Windermere Whiteway is open for skating and cross-country skiing while the outdoor rink at Kinsmen Beach is expected to be ready for Friday night, just in time for the Invermere Snowflake Festival.
The festival will run from January 17 to 19 and feature the 40th annual Bonspiel on the Lake, where 64 curling teams compete over the weekend.
The three-day event will also feature live music, bonfires, ice carvings, food from local vendors and of course, skating on Lake Windermere.
Meanwhile, Cranbrook’s three outdoor skating rinks are open to the public at Idlewild, Baker Park and Pop Price Park.
“After unusual and unstable ice conditions forced us to close Idlewild Lake last week, conditions and temperatures have improved enough that the rink is now reopen for skaters,” said city staff.
“All have lights to extend the amount of time you can get out to skate or play some pick-up hockey.”
In Sparwood, the Lions Park Skating Loop is open and the park’s washrooms will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
However, the Sparwood Heights Outdoor Rink is still closed as the ice surface is not fully stabilized.
As these locations are natural ice surfaces, their availability is dependent on local weather conditions.
Daytime highs are expected to stay between -6 and -11 degrees into next week.
Skaters are urged to clean up after themselves to keep the outdoor rinks tidy for other users.
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