Right on the Old Port, near Old Montreal's picturesque de la Commune Street, the Bonsecours Basin outdoor skating rink ranks high in flash and visual value and is a great place to bring a date, friends from out of town as well as the whole family. Not exactly the ideal skating locale for speed demons but a great spot for Sunday strollers and sightseers. Music played daily. Prices a little higher than at other outdoor rinks in Montreal.
Skating Season: December to March
Outdoor skating season -- usually in gear mid-December to mid-March but in the case of Bonsecours Basin, the season runs December 1, 2012 through March 10, 2013 -- is, of course, contingent on weather conditions and tends to vary every year. Do yourself a favor and check out the Bonsecours Basin ice conditions online and call (514) 496-PORT before showing up to make sure the rink and rental office are open.
Musical Evenings in 2012-2013
The skating rink plays music as of 7 p.m. every night of the week. For the 2012-2013 season, evening music themes are:
- Classical Mondays
- World Music Tuesdays
- Alternative Rock Wednesdays
- Romantic Thursdays
- Eighties Fridays
- Rhythm Saturdays
- “Chansons françaises” Sundays
Ballroom Matinees in 2012-2013
Monday and Wednesday mornings, from 10 a.m. to noon feature ballroom music.
Location: Quays of the Old Port (map)
Neighborhood: Old Montreal
Getting There: Champ-de-Mars Metro
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Holiday Schedule: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day from December 22, 2012 to January 6, 2013; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., December 31, 2012 through January 1st, 2013
Admission: $6 adult, senior & student; $4 kids ages 6 to 12; free for kids under 6; $15 family pass (2 adults with 2 kids ages 6 to 17 or 1 adult with 3 kids ages 6 to 17); $29 season pass; $58 family season pass (2 adults with 2 kids ages 6 to 17 or 1 adult with 3 kids ages 6 to 17, $11 for each extra child)
Services: ice skate rental ($8), locker lock rental ($4), helmet rental ($4), children's harness rental ($2), stroller rental ($6), skate sharpening service ($6), toe-pick removal ($4). Blade protectors, tape and skate laces also sold on location. Rentals require $50 deposit or credit card or driver's license, all given back upon rental return. Rental prices do not include admission.
INFO: (514) 496-PORT or Quays of the Old Port Website
