Skating has been woven into Vancouver’s winter story for more than a century, from frozen lakes and flooded fields on the city’s outskirts to early community rinks that brought neighbours together. Historical photographs show families bundled in wool coats, gliding across shimmering ice with mountains rising in the background; a reminder of how closely winter recreation and the region’s natural beauty have always intertwined. While today’s skaters may be more familiar with modern arenas and seasonal outdoor rinks, those early scenes capture a timeless joy: the simple thrill of carving lines on winter ice in a place where city and landscape meet. We hope you enjoy this collection of historical skating photographs and are inspired to lace up your own skates this winter to make some wonderful memories out on the ice.
For even more historical content, please see these previous posts, including Old Photographs of Skiing at Grouse Mountain, Vintage Photographs of Parks from Around Vancouver, and Old Photographs of Hiking in British Columbia.
The photos above were collected from the City of Vancouver Archives. If you’re interested, additional information can be found for each photograph on their website. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from Vancouver, British Columbia, and across Western Canada. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.
