The Bentway will officially reopen its large figure-8 ice skating trail under Toronto's Gardiner Expressway this winter, but things will operate a bit differently in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

First off, you can't simply lace up and hit the ice: Registration will be required when the popular, 220-metre-long skate trail opens up on Friday, December 18.

Registration opens this Saturday, December 12, at midnight, but you don't have to wait in an online queue for a chance to experience Toronto's version of winter wonderland under a roaring highway.

Six one-hour-long timeslots will be available every day that the Bentway is open this season, with a maximum capacity of 25 skaters at a time. Registrations will be accepted until the day before and are available on a rolling basis via Eventbrite.

Every Saturday at 10 a.m., a new crop of timeslots will come available for the following week. This is the time to hit refresh every 10 seconds until the calendar goes live (but only if you plan on skating within the next seven days.)

Walk-up registration will be available only when there are unclaimed timeslots, and cannot be guaranteed.

The Bentway Skate Trail returns December 18! ⛸

Find out everything you need to know at https://t.co/B8h93dLTVp

Please note: Pre-registration is required. Registration opens Saturday December 12th at 10am.#SkateThe8 pic.twitter.com/rhPzXWRR4U

— The Bentway (@thebentway) December 3, 2020

While still a free activity, The Bentway is asking patrons to help support vulnerable people in Toronto by donating a small amount ($5 is suggested) to "the creation of Winter Care Kits for our community members experiencing poverty and homelessness."

You can tack your donation onto the Eventbrite ticket when reserving a spot.

"We are excited to be able to open our skate trail under the Gardiner for fun and safe skating this winter season," reads a notice posted to the Bentway's website late last week.

"We know that this winter won't be easy, and we know how important it will be to find a way to get outside get outside for fitness and recreation. That's why we are taking all precautions necessary to ensure that the winter skating experience is both safe and fun."

In addition to following all of the City and province's public health guidelines, The Bentway is implementing a number of its own pandemic-time skating rules. 

They are summarized on the organization's website as follows:

• Pre-registration is required.
• Bring your own skates. There are no skate rentals available.
• Bring ID to verify your identity.
• Come dressed for the weather. There will be no access to indoor changing areas.
• Wear your mask. Face coverings are required while skating at The Bentway.
• Always maintain a safe (2m or 6ft) physical distance from others.
• Keep your belongings on you at all times.
• Stay home if you are feeling sick, have been out of the country in the last 14 days, or suspect you may have come into contact with COVID-19.
• Registration will be made available on a rolling basis. Each Saturday at 10am the timeslots for the next available week will go live. (e.g. Timeslots for December 18-25 will go live on December 12.)

Fingers crossed that Toronto's wildly-fluctuating weather doesn't cut skating season short this year.