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It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean swimming is off the table in Toronto during the winter. In fact, there are many places in the city where you can don a bathing suit and dive into a pool no matter the season, which makes for a great way to spend an afternoon. This winter, why not escape the cold and pretend you’re somewhere tropical by heading to an indoor pool?
You can use the facilities at three downtown hotels in Toronto for various fees, as well as use one of the many indoor public pools in the city.
Sheraton Centre Toronto
The Sheraton Centre is home to the largest indoor-outdoor pool in downtown Toronto. That’s right, you can swim inside and outside when in this pool, even in the winter. Just pass under the glass partition to the outdoor side of the pool and you’ll find yourself in a heated pool with a winter wonderland around you. Or stay inside where it’s warm. The pool is free for hotel guests but non-guests can buy a day pass for $35 (excluding long weekends). Two adults with one child under 16 can buy a family day pass for $80 for a day of swimming and lounging poolside.
InterContinental Toronto Centre
You can easily escape winter with a trip to the InterContinental Toronto where $25 gets you a day pass to use the health and wellness facilities. This fee includes an indoor saltwater pool, a steam room, a salt water hot tub, and a fitness studio if you feel like incorporating a workout into your day of swimming and relaxing. Robes, towels and slippers are also provided, and use of showers is included with the day pass.
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
While you can’t get a day pass for the lovely indoor pool at the Four Seasons, you do have unlimited use of it when you come in for a treatment at the hotel spa (also lovely). There are many different types of treatments available at various price points and lengths. Once your treatment is complete, you can stay to enjoy the indoor pool with floor to ceiling windows, poolside lounge chairs, and whirlpool. The pool area here is bright, elegant and easy to relax in.
In addition to day use at some hotels in Toronto, no matter where you are in the city there’s likely a pool close by. There are 65 indoor pools offered by the City of Toronto that operate year round. They vary in size, schedules, programs on offer, and facilities, but all provide a way to get active in the water during a season when swimming is probably the last thing you think is an option.
If it’s just a casual dip you’re after, it’s good to note that leisure swimming at all 65 City of Toronto pools is free and schedules can be found here. Most public indoor pools in Toronto also offer aquafit classes, family swims, lane swimming, swimming lessons and aquatic programs for all ages. Many of the venues with indoor pools also have fitness facilities. Some options to check out include the following:
Regent Park Aquatic Centre: This large aquatic centre has a lot to offer, including a lap pool, leisure pool, warm water pool, tarzan rope, diving rope, and water slide
Memorial Pool and Health Club: This pool and health club offers many aquafit classes, learn to swim programs, as well as both leisure and lane swimming.
Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre. This popular aquatic centre has a 50 metre pool, lap and leisure swimming, learn to swim classes, and many aquatic programs for various ages and skill levels.
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