Free Ice-Skating at Robson Square Returns Dec. 1

One of my personal favorite winter activities is set to return: The Robson Square Ice Rink will re-open on Sat. Dec. 1, 2012.

On a recent trip to the Vancouver Art Gallery, I saw a thin layer of ice hinting at what's to come at the Robson rink. The rink, which offers free skating and low-cost skate rentals ($4), is handy to everything downtown: great public transit, shopping on Robson Street, and casual restaurants.

The rink is under a domed glass roof -- perfect for our notoriously rainy winter. Plus, it makes for some pretty pictures.

For more skating in Vancouver, read Outdoor Ice-skating in Vancouver and Whistler. For its part, the free rink in Whistler is set to open Dec. 21.

Robson Square Ice Rink Details:

• Season: Dec. 1, 2012 to Feb. 28, 2013
• Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Address: 800 Robson St.
• Phone: 604-646-3554
• Cost: Skating is free
• Rentals: Skates ($4), helmets ($2)