How To Build Your Own Outdoor Ice Rink: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you've ever dreamed of having your own backyard ice rink, this winter could be the perfect time to do a little DIY. Building your own ice rink may seem daunting at first, but with some careful planning and preparation, it can be an exciting and rewarding project that brings you joy all winter long. Whether you're creating a space for family skating, casual hockey games, or a winter wonderland for your entire neighbourhood to enjoy, this step-by-step guide will walk you through absolutely everything you need to know about building and maintaining your own outdoor ice rink this winter.
Step 1: The Ideal Time to Start Building a Rink
Arguably the most important factor in successfully building a lasting outdoor rink is timing. You'll want to wait until outdoor temperatures are consistently below freezing, typically around -5°C (23°F) or colder. In most parts of Canada, this means starting your rink anytime between late November and early January. It’s crucial to monitor the weather forecast to ensure there are no warm spells predicted as a warm spell could affect your progress.
Step 2: Choose the Right Location
The ideal spot for a backyard rink is a relatively flat, open area with minimal sun exposure to reduce melting. The rink should also be built in an area that drains well to prevent flooding in the spring when your rink melts. Avoid areas near trees as falling leaves, branches (and snow build-up!) can disrupt your rink surface and cause maintenance headaches.
Step 3: Prepare the Ground
Before you start building the frame for your ice rink, it’s important to prepare the ground. Doing the necessary prep now will save you tons of time and effort later when it comes to rink maintenance during the course of the winter. First, mow your lawn to its lowest setting and remove any rocks and roots from the area. If you have any uneven ground, lumps or bumps in your lawn, now is the time to flatten them or otherwise create a level surface to place your rink liner on. Creating a level surface is imperative to prevent water from pooling unevenly when you flood your rink.
Pro Tip:
If you’re struggling to level the lumps and bumps in your lawn, and you’re not in the mood to bulldoze (which is always an option!), consider laying boards beneath your rink liner instead of laying it directly on the ground. By creating a level “stage” for your rink, you can achieve a smooth, level ice rink even in a yard full of “potholes”.
Beginner Bonus Tip:
Certain commercially available DIY rink kits will include everything you need to build your own rink, including boards, liners and more. The process doesn’t need to be difficult for beginners, however, these kits can be expensive, and you can build your own rink without them if you follow our easy guide.
Step 4: Build the Frame & Secure the Liner
Once you’ve levelled your rink surface, you can start building a frame around the perimeter of your rink. This is usually done with wooden boards that are staked into the ground. You want your boards to be at least 8-12 inches high to hold in the water and keep the ice stable. Once you have your rink framed, lay down your rink liner. Your liner should be waterproof, to prevent water from seeping into the ground and it should also be slightly larger than your intended rink size so that it extends up the sides of your frame. Secure it to the boards and stakes (a staple gun works great) and ensure there are no wrinkles. For best results, your liner should be smooth and free from any debris prior to flooding the rink.
Step 5: Fill the Rink with Water
Now it’s time to make the magic happen! It’s time to flood your rink! For best results, wait until temperatures are consistently below freezing. If you start too early in the season, the water may not freeze quickly enough or properly, leading to a bumpy or uneven skating surface. Use a garden hose to fill the rink in 2-3 inch layers of water. Allow each layer to freeze completely before adding more water to your rink to prevent uneven freezing. This process cannot be rushed and may take a couple of days but it’s essential if you’re trying to create a strong, smooth, long-lasting backyard ice rink. Avoid stepping on the ice until it is completely frozen to prevent cracks!
Pro Tip:
Aim for a rink depth of 8” or more if you want your rink to last all winter, and/or if it’s going to be used often and/or by adults!
Step 6: Maintain Your Rink
The key to having a great ice rink all winter long is ice maintenance! To maintain your backyard rink you should shovel snow off the surface daily to prevent melting and refreezing issues. You can use a flat-bladed shovel or a snow blower for larger rinks.
Pro Tip:
There are steps you can take to keep your rink smooth and give it that mirror-shine without a Zamboni!
1) Flood the Rink Regularly
After each skating session, spray a thin layer of water over the surface of your ice rink using a hose or handheld sprayer. This helps fill in any cracks and smooth out any bumps.
2) Use a Scraper
Using a large ice scraper can help remove rough spots before flooding.
3) DIY Ice Resurfacer
Build your own “Zamboni”! If you’re committed to maintaining your rink all winter, make your own life easier and build your own ice resurfacer using PVC piping and a towel. Attach the towel to the end of the pipe, then run water through the pipe to evenly distribute water while the towel smooths it across the ice.
Advanced Upgrades for Experienced Rink-Builders
Once you’ve got the hang of basic rink building, you can start thinking about adding some super cool advanced features to make your rink the talk of the town!
Adding Lights for Night Skating
Make your backyard rink a self-contained winter wonderland with outdoor lighting! You can install outdoor lighting like floodlights, string lights, or LED spotlights which not only add to the ambiance, but also extend your skating time into the evening! Make the most of your ice rink by maximizing your ice time this winter.
Pro Pro Tip:
If you’re an outdoor rink-building veteran, we challenge you to test your skills this year by adding strip lights inside your rink! Adding strip lights to demarcate zones for hockey practice is as simple and as difficult as laying and taping or stapling your strip lights to the ground or boards underneath your transparent rink liner. If you’ve done this before, or try it this year, we want to hear from you!
Tag us in your rink pics on Facebook or Instagram this season and stand a chance to be featured on our feed or even in our next community newsletter!
Install Rink Boards for Hockey
If your backyard rink is primarily for hockey practice, consider adding boards to protect players and to keep the puck from flying out. You can use plywood, plexiglass, or pre-made rink boards depending on your budget and skill level.
Create a Warming Area
Set up a nearby "warming zone" with benches, chairs, or even a fire pit to give skaters a place to rest and warm up between sessions. You could also add outdoor heaters for an extra touch of comfort.
Paint Lines or Logos on the Ice
If you want to get creative, but adding strip lights is outside your comfort zone, you could paint hockey lines or add a logo to your rink! Use food coloring or rink-safe paint, and apply it before flooding the final layer of water to seal the design beneath the ice but at a visible depth.
Building an outdoor ice rink in your backyard is a fun and rewarding winter project that can provide hours of enjoyment for family and friends. By following these steps and tips, even beginners can create a smooth and well-maintained rink to enjoy all winter long. Whether you keep it simple or level up with pro features like lights and boards, your backyard rink will become a winter haven for skating, hockey, and memories!
