Create your own adventure in Vaughan’s great outdoors!

With winter in full swing, who says the outdoor fun has to end? The City of Vaughan invites you to venture outside, be active and enjoy the many rinks, trails and other activities this season. 

Snowshoe Loaner Program
Vaughan’s snowshoe program is back by popular demand! Registration is now open at vaughan.perfectmind.com and you can borrow a pair of snowshoes, free of charge. Snowshoes are loaned on a weekly basis for four days, Thursday to Sunday, and include one set of snowshoes per person registered, while quantities last. A refundable deposit of $50 is required at the time of registration. 

Snowshoes are available for pickup anytime between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the registered rental location: Al Palladini Community Centre, Dufferin Clark Community Centre, Maple Community Centre, North Thornhill Community Centre or Vellore Village Community Centre. 

Not sure how to register? Watch this video demonstration. If you require assistance with registration, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email RecCSD@vaughan.ca. 

For more information, including a trail guide and maps, visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks.

Outdoor skating rinks
Enjoy the crisp winter air and skate for free on one of the City’s four outdoor ice rinks, open until March 2023:

• Chancellor Community Centre (350 Ansley Grove Rd.)
• Dufferin Clark Community Centre (1441 Clark Ave. W.)
• Father Ermanno Bulfon Community Centre (8141 Martin Grove Rd.)
• Vellore Village Community Centre (1 Villa Royale Ave.)

Weather permitting, all outdoor rinks are open daily until 11 p.m., except for Father Ermanno Bulfon, which closes at 10:30 p.m. Rinks are also subject to daily closures for regular maintenance between 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at Chancellor and Dufferin Clark community centres, and on Thursdays at Father Ermanno Bulfon and Vellore Village community centres. 

Due to ongoing construction, the outdoor rink at Garnet A. Williams Community Centre will not be open this season.

For the enjoyment and safety of all skaters, you are asked to follow the City’s Skating Rink Guidelines (PDF). Rinks are unsupervised unless otherwise stated in the recreational skating and shinny hockey schedule at vaughan.ca/skate. As a reminder, do not skate or play on stormwater ponds – they are not designed or intended for recreational use. 

For more information on the City’s outdoor rinks, including skate schedules, visit vaughan.ca/skate. 

Trails and neighbourhood walks
Take a walk around Vaughan this winter! You can choose from 12 different trails throughout the city: Jersey Creek Neighbourhood Walk, Mackenzie Glen Neighbourhood Walk, Maple Nature Reserve Nature Walk, Marita Payne Neighbourhood Walk, North Maple Regional Park Nature Walk, Peter Rupert Neighbourhood Walk, Rainbow Creek Neighbourhood Walk, Riverwalk Neighbourhood Walk, Sonoma Heights Neighbourhood Walk, Sugarbush Nature Walk, Vellore Neighbourhood Walk and William Granger Greenway Nature Walk. There’s a trail for all ages, abilities and comfort levels. 

Visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks for more information and maps of top trails or the Parks and Trails webpage for an interactive view of all trails and parks throughout the city. The Great Walks of Vaughan walking trail guide (PDF) and the City’s Great Walks of Vaughan map legend (PDF) are also available. 

Skiing and snowboarding
Uncover your inner athlete this winter by hitting the slopes! All ages and abilities can sign up for skiing or snowboarding lessons at Uplands Golf and Ski Club. Season and daily passes are available for purchase online, and equipment is available for rent. Visit golfnorth.ca/uplands for program schedules, fees and safety guidelines. As it is privately operated, residents are required to pay to access the amenities.  

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