Recreational skating is also a leisurely way to enjoy Canada's winters. Recreational skating does not require special skates. Just lace up hockey or figure skates and skate around a frozen pond, lake or ice rink.
Ice skating is both relaxing and good cardio-vascular exercise.
You can rent the equipment if you just want to try your hand at speed skating. Skates are often available new or used, either through sports shops or through the newspaper. You may find it's easier locating men's hockey or women's figure skates than speed skates. Most indoor city and community ice rinks are associated with a skating club. To get involved, contact your community ice rink for more information.