Enjoying some outdoor time at the Stuart Park ice rink.

(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)

With temperatures dropping below the freezing mark at night, residents waiting to hit an outdoor rink in the Okanagan and Kamloops won't have to wait much longer.

Preparations are underway for Kelowna’s popular outdoor skating destination Stuart Park. The rink is set to open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, according to a press release from the city.

“We know residents look forward to the Stuart Park outdoor skating rink each and every year,” recreation supervisor Steve Hebden said in the release. “Crews are in the finishing stages of creating the ice, including a fun nod to Kelowna hosting the 2025 Brier, and we look forward to seeing our community come together to create lasting memories on the ice.”

This year the rink will have rings to celebrate the 2025 Montana’s Brier curling championship at Prospera Place in February.

READ MORE: Kelowna selected to host the 2026 Memorial Cup

The rink is outside so it’s weather dependent but if all goes well it should be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the season. It closes on Mondays from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. for maintenance. Skate rentals are available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday except Christmas day. Click here to view the live camera to check rink conditions.

Folks who prefer to skate indoors can find drop-in public skating at MNP Place, Memorial Arena and Rutland Arena.

VERNON

Vernon’s Centennial Outdoor Rink is set to have its first public skate at 9 a.m. on Dec. 1. It’s also weather dependent, but doesn’t offer skate rentals. The Centennial Outdoor Rink is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. but it has different times for public skate, senior skate, parent and tot and hockey.

Indoor skaters in Vernon can go to Priest Valley Arena and Kal Tire Place North at set times for public skating and hockey.

Brewer’s Pond at SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon is a 2.5-acre natural ice rink.

Image Credit: SilverStar Mountain Resort

A short drive from Vernon will take you to SilverStar Mountain Resort where Brewer's Pond awaits. The 2.5-acre natural ice rink is tentatively set to open on Dec. 15. Go to SilverStar's website here for more information.

PENTICTON

FILE PHOTO - Skaters are seen on the downtown outdoor rink in Penticton.

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

The non-profit Activate Penticton hasn’t announced an opening day for its downtown outdoor rink yet, but last year the rink opened on Dec. 16.

Fear not skaters in South Okanagan because Apex Mountain Resort’s outdoor skating loop is scheduled to open on Dec. 7, and a skate pass is $5.

McLaren Arena in Penticton offers public skating at set times all year long.

KAMLOOPS

The ice rink at Sun Peaks Mountain Resort.

Image Credit: Sun Peaks Mountain Resort

Kamloops residents are still waiting for their outdoor rink at Riverside Park. The $5.4 million project was approved in April 2023, and the goal is to have skaters on the ice next winter.

Skaters in Kamloops can get their fill of skating indoors at set times at Brock Arena, McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre, Memorial Arena, Sandman Arena, and Valleyview Arena.

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort also has a covered ice rink that's already open. It offers stick and skate rentals, but public skating is restricted to certain times. 

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