Lafleur crews begin ice operations in November by installing skate chalet buildings, stairways, and signage and vehicle ramps.  After  freeze up, in late December Lafleur’s role shifts into high gear. Three crews, running 7 days a week, 24 hours a day rely on a large fleet of 4x4 truck plows, tractor sweepers followed by a parade of water pumps to flood the 7.8 kilometers of skateway.

Heated washrooms and change chalets, food concessions combined with romantic rest areas surrounded by evergreen trees as well as a fireplace to enjoy a hot chocolate or warm your toes by, are all available for the canal skater.

February brings with it the Capital’s largest  Winter festival “Winterlude”. The Skateway plays host to many of Winterlude’s outdoor events and Lafleur is there behind the scenes, servicing the various venues to ensure the show is a big success. 

In addition to providing 24-hour ice maintenance and event servicing, Lafleur provides Canada’s only 7 day a week skate patrol. Our radio equipped Patrollers, trained in first aid, CPR and customer service, patrol the 7.8 kilometers ready to help in any situation. Lost children, a touch of frostbite or a broken bone, Lafleur’s patrollers are always close by to assist you.

As the days get longer and the temperatures begin to climb, the ice softens, indicating that  Lafleur crews must switch efforts from ice maintenance to the arduous task of evacuation. Everything on the ice must come off and be safely transported to storage facilities to await another Magical Winter in Canada’s Capital. 

We’ll be there to do it all over again.