Get ready to glide into winter fun.

A new outdoor rink has opened beneath the iconic ring at Place Ville Marie, turning the Esplanade PVM into a lively gathering spot for skaters of all ages.

The Patinoire sous l’Anneau is open from Feb. 27 to March 29, 2026, offering free access in the heart of downtown. Visitors can bring their own skates or rent equipment on site for a fee.

The rink operates Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., with hours subject to weather conditions and events.

The project is presented in collaboration with Jeux Urbains and includes programming throughout the month.

The Patinoire sous l’Anneau rink on Feb. 27, 2026, on its first day open to the public in downtown Montreal. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)

A first year on the ice

Sara Jade Allard-Théberge, chief of communications and marketing at MAD Collectif, said the installation marks a first for the team and is meant to help people embrace winter in Montreal.

“We’ve installed it so that people would be able to enjoy winter in Montreal and its whole culture. We’re not afraid of the cold, and we’re not afraid to have fun outside. And how could you not want to skate under this beautiful view? So that’s why we did this.”

Sara Jade Allard-Théberge, chief of communications and marketing at MAD Collectif, at the Patinoire sous l’Anneau rink on Feb. 27, 2026. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)

She highlighted the downtown setting as a defining feature.

“Esplanade PVM at Place Ville Marie is one of the most picture taken places in the city. So it’s a great way for us to promote our city and also Quebec as a destination. It’s always a good way for people to move, have fun — and we’ll have DJ sets. So it’s also a great way to enjoy culture in its many ways.”

Chalet 1664: a warm-up next to the ice

Chalet 1664, located right beside the rink, offers a cozy spot for visitors to warm up, grab a drink, or lace up their skates before heading back onto the ice.

“It’s a great way for people to get warmed up and put on their skates. They can have a drink. We have beer available, propelled by 1664. We also have coffee and all sorts of drinks so that you can enjoy winter but not get frozen outside while you do it.”

Inside Chalet 1664 at the Patinoire sous l’Anneau on Feb. 27, 2026. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)

Following the launch, which featured a fashion-on-ice show, Allard-Théberge said the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We’re very happy. Yesterday was our launch. We had a fashion-on-ice show and we were overwhelmed with joy. People showed up, and we’re really happy to see what we were able to do here. It’s the first for us. You never know how it’s going to be — if people are going to show up. As we can see, people are there. They want to skate. They want to maybe have a new destination where they can enjoy time with their family, with their friends. So we’re very happy.”

As for next year, she said it’s too soon to say.

“We don’t know. We hope it will be coming back, but that’s the people that will decide. If people like it and they enjoy it, it could come back next year. We would be very happy to do so.”

Skaters take to the ice

On Friday, families, downtown workers, and longtime Montrealers laced up to try the rink.

Amely Poulin, visiting from the South Shore with her child, said the downtown location made it easy to get out and enjoy winter.

“We wanted to do an activity, and we used to skate a lot, we decided to come with the little one. We’re glad we found this rink because it’s downtown, and it’s so rare to have a nice outdoor activity downtown — and it’s figure skating. I used to skate, so I’m super happy to be here today.”

Amely Poulin’s skates at the Patinoire sous l’Anneau on Feb. 27, 2026, as she took to the ice on the rink’s first day in downtown Montreal. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)

She said the surrounding buildings make it feel special.

“It’s downtown, under the big ring, it’s very special. There are a lot of buildings around, and it feels kind of warm but also super exciting to be in the middle of these buildings.”

Dennis, who has worked at Place Ville Marie for years, said the rink felt like a backyard playground.

“I’ve been a person working in Place Ville Marie for a long time, and this is like my backyard. Having a backyard rink outside my office is just tremendously great fun, so that’s why I’m here.”

The Patinoire sous l’Anneau rink on Feb. 27, 2026, on its first day open to the public in downtown Montreal. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)

He said he came straight from court to be part of opening day.

“I’m a lawyer, and I came from court. I was in Superior Court this morning and we finished early. I said if it’s possible, I’ll come to the skating rink on opening day — so here I am.”

After skating, he described feeling energized.

“I feel totally invigorated. It’s a tremendous feeling to be able to do this in the middle of downtown, outside of Place Ville Marie. There’s so much history in this building, and it’s been my work home for such a long time that it really meant a lot to me to be able to participate and be here when it counts, as they say.”

The Patinoire sous l’Anneau rink on Feb. 27, 2026, on its first day open to the public in downtown Montreal. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)

Marilyn Basvous, a Montrealer, called the rink iconic.

“We’re super excited to have a rink in the middle of downtown. It’s such an iconic spot under the ring. It’s beautiful weather, so I just wanted to come out, check it out and have a good time. It makes it iconic because c’est centre-ville — it’s downtown Montreal. I think it’s a really cool idea to have a rink right here.”

She said accessibility sets it apart.

“Most rinks are not as central in this area. I feel like this one is super accessible for people who are just coming around, checking out the city, and there’s just a rink right here. I feel like it’s different than anything else we’ve ever had.”

Marilyn Basvous at the Patinoire sous l’Anneau rink on Feb. 27, 2026. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)

Another visitor, who came with her young child after noticing the rink earlier in the week, said the timing was perfect.

“We were crossing by some days ago and we found that you were doing something interesting here, so we planned to come here. The weather is good, so why not?”

She said the size works well for young children.

“It’s fine. It’s small — it’s okay for kids, because they are one and a half, and her friend also, and they are enjoying it. It’s winter — winter should be with skates. It’s a very interesting place here in the city centre, and I also like this area inside. It’s very good to change your skates. It’s very beautiful.”

On the ice beneath Place Ville Marie’s ring, Montrealers are proving that winter isn’t something to endure — it’s something to celebrate.