The data you contribute helps researchers at Laurier University track the relationship between temperatures and skating activity, monitor local winter weather patterns, and project future impacts of climate change on outdoor winter activities.

Information from our first two winters was used to generate forecasts of outdoor skating conditions until the end of the 21st century, published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals. Each winter, we gather more insights into the social and cultural importance of outdoor skating.

“RinkWatch members’ surveys revealed that backyard rinks are vital community spaces where friends and neighbors socialize, have fun, and stay fit through dark winter months.”