A frigid but busy start to a hopefully longer Rideau Canal skating season

The head of the group managing and maintaining the Rideau Canal Skateway said he believes it will be open longer than last year's record-short season.

The skateway officially opened from Laurier Avenue to Bronson Avenue at 8 a.m. Saturday, a 4.4 kilometre stretch making up a little more than half of its full length. A frostbite advisory was in effect early Saturday morning, but plentystill showed with skates in hand.

"[It's] a little bumpy but it's great to be out skating again," said skater Paige Gilbank. "It's not winter until the canal is open."

Another 400 metres of the skateway, from Rideau Street to Laurier Avenue, is set to open on Sunday at 8 a.m.

• Rideau Canal opens to skaters Saturday
• Rideau Canal Skateway attendance droppedto lowest on record in 2016

Bruce Devine, the skateway's senior manager, said just after the ceremonial green flag-raising that the rest of the canal is close to opening. He's hoping to avoid a repeat of last season, its shortest ever at only 18 skating days.

"Next week's forecast will be challenging, about mid-week," he said, referring to the possibility of daytime highs above zero on Wednesday and Thursday.

"But it seems this winter compared to last year is much much colder We do believe that we'll have a little longer stretch [of skating] than last year."

The CEO of the National Capital Commission, which runs the skateway, said the canal is a draw in a year where tourism is such a focus for Canada's 150th birthday.

"The Rideau Canal Skateway is one of the best-known symbols of the capital, and even of Canada, around the world, so we're looking forward to host as many visitors as possible," said Mark Kristmanson.

He added that the Department of Canadian Heritage and other partners are adding additional programming to the Canal this year, including ice dragon boat races on Feb. 17 and 18, and 150 pick-up hockey games on Feb. 18, which is Hockey Day in Canada.

"I think it will be a banner year,"Kristmanson said.

Ice conditions

• Black = closed
• Yellow = poor
• Purple = fair
• Green = good
• White = very good

On mobile? Taphereto see a map of the Rideau Canal and its ice conditions, last updated Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m.