Making a Backyard Skating Rink – Top 5 Tips

There is nothing more Canadian in the winter than having a backyard skating rink. I knew so many people growing up that had backyard rinks who still to this day carry on this tradition for their own children to enjoy.

Pond hockey and skating outdoors is such a refreshing and enjoyable thing to do in Burlington during the winter months! Instead of shuttering at the cold weather, we should take some cues from children – and embrace it! However, pond skating can be dangerous, especially if the winter is full of freeze/thaw weather, like we’ve been having so far. Best to visit the local free indoor skating or look out for other skating in the area. Also, don’t miss out on downtown Burlington’s lakeside Rotary Pond.

Here are the top 5 tips when making a backyard skating rink

1. 1. Start with boards and brackets

Choose a flat spot in your yard and make sure you install these both before the ground freezes, (best to do before January!) as you’ll want to get your bracket deep into the ground. Setting up the base for the rink is a must as this will keep the water in the rink, especially when resurfacing.

1. 1. Install the Liner

Only put down the liner when you are ready to fill the rink! You must wait for a cold snap for this. The minimum is roughly zero degrees during the day to -5 at night. Make sure you fill the whole rink at once to for the best results.

1. 1. Set up lighting

It would be such a shame to build a beautiful rink and not be able to use it due to the lack of winter sun in evenings. Making sure you have some adequate porch lighting and perhaps some work lights attached to outside posts or 2×4’s. This will also help if you are resurfacing in the evening after a snowfall.

1. 1. Resurface like a Zamboni

First, you’ll need to shovel, snowblow, broom, or squeegee the ice. Then, flood the ice using several layers of warm or hot water, use a tool to even it out as best you can.

1. 1. Shovel after it snows

It is best to keep the rink as clear as can be. Try to shovel right after a snowfall if possible. Snow sticks to ice and will ruin your surface if left too long!

Best of luck and have fun skating in your own backyard!

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