Rideau Canal record broken at 47 consecutive skating days

Ottawa's Rideau Canal has been open to skaters for 47 consecutive days the longest stretch in its 45-year history.

The first parts of the 7.8-kilometre maintained ice surface opened on Jan. 10 this year. The entire length is currently open to skaters.

• CBC Ottawa's Rideau Canal Skateway conditions page

The National Capital Commission said the consistently cold weather coupled with few heavy snowstorms this winter have allowed the canal to stay open. But the bitter cold temperatures and many frostbite warningshave also discouragedskaters.

Last year, the canal had an average of20,000 visitors per day;this year, the average so far is 17,000, the NCC said.

Last season, theRideauCanalwas open for 58 skating days, between Dec. 31, 2013, and March 11, 2014.

The previous record of46 consecutive skating days was during the 2003-04 season.

• Click here to see a Vine video from the canal