Behind the scenes of Arrowhead’s skating path

This submit was written by Maddie Austin, Assistant Park Superintendent at Arrowhead Provincial Park.

Each winter, 1000’s of tourists lace up their skates and glide by way of the snowy forest at Arrowhead Provincial Park. Our skating path has turn out to be considered one of Muskoka’s most iconic winter experiences; winding 1.3 km by way of towering pines and glowing snow.

However have you ever ever puzzled how this magical path is made?

From snow to ice: how the path is made

Creating and sustaining a skating path within the forest isn’t so simple as ready for winter to reach. In contrast to a rink, the path isn’t flat or sheltered; it’s constructed immediately on the uneven floor, winding by way of timber, over slight inclines (if you understand, you understand), and round bends.

As soon as the bottom has frozen, workers pack the snow base, then flood it with water, layer by layer. Every layer freezes earlier than the subsequent is added, regularly constructing the sleek floor you skate on.

Climate performs the largest function on this course of. Heat spells can undo hours of labor, and sudden snowfalls imply our workers are again out clearing the path earlier than daybreak. It’s a real labour of affection, and each early morning and late evening pays off after we see glad guests on the ice.

The path is continually maintained. Snow or heat temperatures imply further flooding and resurfacing. The work takes persistence, precision, and teamwork. By the tip of the season in March of 2025, it took 909 water tanks and 631,000 L of water to maintain the skating path alive!

A day within the lifetime of a Zamboni driver

Ever marvel what it takes to be a member of the ice path crew?

5:00 am morning test

The day begins earlier than dawn with a full inspection of the path. The crew appears to be like at how the ice held up in a single day and maps out the upkeep plan. Climate, temperature, and the way busy the path was the day earlier than all have an effect on what’s wanted.

Snow removing

Any new snow needs to be cleared with the plow, fastidiously tossing it over the banks alongside the sides of the path to maintain its full width. All through the season and particularly on heavy snow days, the tractor’s snowblower attachment is introduced in to push the banks again, in any other case the path slowly narrows.

Sweep

Subsequent comes the sweeper attachment on our backhoe loader to brush off the wonderful snow particles which might be both left from contemporary flurries, what the plow couldn’t get, or from folks’s skates. It is a essential step as a result of the leftover snow makes our Zamboni replenish quicker and likewise creates a grainy end when it freezes into the ice, which makes for a bumpy skate.

Shaving

Begin up the Zamboni (if you wish to truth test us, it’s truly an Olympia Ice Resurfacer, not a Zamboni… however that isn’t as catchy). The blade is lowered to shave off ruts and grooves left by 1000’s of skates, generally taking off a number of layers after a busy weekend. All of the ice shavings and leftover snow will get collected right into a field contained in the Zamboni. Chances are you’ll discover plowed-in sections alongside the path — these are for the Zamboni to dump the leftover slush!

Flooding

Lastly, the water tank is stuffed and a felt bag attachment is connected to the truck. The bag drags behind the truck, spreading a skinny, even sheet of water that freezes right into a easy glassy floor. If we didn’t use the bag, ridges of water would freeze, create ripples within the ice, and make the path tough and unsafe.

There’s an actual science to this: on colder days the crew can drive slower and put down a thicker layer, however on hotter days, pace is essential. Driving quicker means thinner layers of water, and no pooling! Skinny layers freeze finest, and nobody desires to skate by way of puddles.

By the point guests arrive, the path gleams like glass, is in peak situation, and able to deal with 1000’s of blades.

A Muskoka winter custom

The skating path is greater than only a place to skate, it’s a method to join.

Locals preserve seasonal traditions alive, households come again yr after yr, and guests from throughout Ontario, Canada, and the remainder of the world expertise Muskoka’s winter panorama in a singular means. Transferring by way of the forest, surrounded by snow-covered evergreens, provides skaters a direct sense of the pure atmosphere {that a} common rink can’t supply.

For our workforce at Arrowhead, nothing compares to listening to your tales: proposals on the path, children studying to skate for the primary time, or households making it a yearly expertise. These particular moments remind us why the onerous work behind the scenes issues.

Plan your go to

To skate the path, guests want a every day car allow. One of the simplest ways to ensure your spot is to buy a allow (as much as 5 days) prematurely on-line by way of the Ontario Parks reservation system. If you’re tenting within the park and have a sound allow, you don’t want to make a further reservation for the skate path.

In case you’re hoping to keep away from the busiest instances, plan a midweek go to or arrive early within the morning for a quieter skate!

Skaters can lease tools on the pavilion beside the Customer Centre / Park Retailer.

The path is climate dependent. All the time test Arrowhead’s social media (Fb, X, Instagram) or the Snow Report for present situations and opening hours.

The path opens from mid-January to mid-March (climate dependent), with Fireplace & Ice Nights on Friday evenings.

See you on the ice!

Whether or not that is your first time at Arrowhead or a return go to, we are able to’t wait so that you can expertise the skating path.

Subsequent time you glide beneath the snowy pines, take a second to consider the layers of care (and ice) that made your journey attainable. It’s a Muskoka custom you received’t neglect!