There’s something uniquely magical about figure skating that transcends ordinary sport. Perhaps it’s the impossible marriage of raw athletic power with balletic grace, or maybe it’s simply the audacity of humans launching themselves across ice on thin metal blades. Whatever the alchemy, it was on full display during the breathtaking opening night of the Canadian Figure Skaters Montreal World Tour 2024.
As the lights dimmed at Montreal’s Bell Centre last night, the anticipation was palpable. This wasn’t merely a sporting event but a homecoming celebration for many of our national skating heroes who train at the world-renowned ice dance center in Montreal—a crucible that has produced more Olympic medalists per square foot than perhaps any other training facility in Canada.
The evening opened with a spectacular group number featuring all 24 skaters, their blades carving intricate patterns across freshly resurfaced ice. The technical precision was remarkable, but what truly captivated was the unbridled joy radiating from these athletes finally performing without the crushing pressure of competition.
“There’s a freedom in exhibition skating that you just can’t experience in competition,” explained two-time world champion Kaetlyn Osmond in a pre-show interview. “Here, we get to be artists first, athletes second.”
That artistic liberty was evident throughout the three-hour spectacular. Olympic ice dance gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, emerging from retirement for this special tour, delivered a hauntingly beautiful routine to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that left few dry eyes in the arena. Their connection remains as electric as ever, a testament to their two-decade partnership that has redefined ice dance globally.
The night wasn’t without its gravity-defying technical elements either. Nam Nguyen landed a pristine quadruple Salchow that sent the crowd into frenzy, while Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier executed lifts so complex they seemed to defy physics rather than merely challenge it.
What distinguishes this tour from others is its distinctly Montreal flavor. The city’s unique cultural imprint was evident throughout—from the musical selections featuring Quebec artists to choreography that subtly nodded to the city’s rich artistic heritage. This wasn’t just skating in Montreal; this was Montreal expressed through skating.
The production values elevated the experience beyond typical ice shows. Innovative lighting transformed the ice surface into everything from starlit galaxies to rippling ocean waves, while carefully curated musical selections ranged from classical pieces to contemporary Canadian artists. During one particularly memorable segment, Indigenous skater Elladj Baldé performed to traditional drums, bridging cultural heritage with cutting-edge skating in a breathtaking display of artistic fusion.
These Canadian skaters carry a special burden. In a country where winter sports form the backbone of national identity, figure skating occupies a particularly sacred space. The sport has delivered some of our most iconic Olympic moments—from Barbara Ann Scott’s 1948 gold medal to the Battle of the Brians, from Virtue and Moir’s comeback victory to Joannie Rochette’s heart-wrenching bronze medal performance after her mother’s passing.
“Figure skating is part of our collective memory as Canadians,” noted Patrick Chan, three-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist, who delivered a technically flawless program set to “The Tragically Hip.” “We don’t just represent Canada; we reflect it back to itself.”
What makes this tour particularly significant is its timing. Coming at the midpoint between Olympic cycles, it offers fans a rare glimpse of established champions alongside rising stars who will likely represent Canada in Milano Cortina 2026. Young phenoms like 16-year-old Kaiya Ruiter displayed the technical brilliance that signals Canada’s skating future remains bright.
The Montreal World Tour continues through the weekend with two more shows, each promising different programs and special guest appearances. If opening night is any indication, ticket holders are in for an extraordinary display of what happens when world-class athleticism meets artistic expression on ice.
For those unable to attend in person, the tour will continue across six more Canadian cities before concluding in Toronto next month. A television special featuring highlights is scheduled to air on CBC in December.
As the final group number concluded to thunderous applause last night, I couldn’t help but reflect on the unique place these skaters occupy in our cultural landscape. In a fractured world increasingly defined by division, there remains something powerfully unifying about watching humans literally dance on the edge of physical possibility, reminding us what we’re capable of at our most inspired.
For more analysis on Canadian cultural touchstones, visit our CO24 Culture section. To explore how traditional sports are evolving in the entertainment landscape, check out our latest CO24 Trends coverage.
