A simple backyard ice skating rink creates a wonderful way to spend active time with the family during the cold winter months. A small rink is fairly easy to build and maintain if the conditions are right—you just need consistently freezing temperatures in the winter. A DIY rink does require some natural snowfall to cover the ground before construction but once completed, it is relatively easy to maintain for the entire winter season. You can use wooden boards or PVC pipe to aid in the construction or go the truly no-cost approach by building it entirely out of snow and water.
A backyard ice-skating rink depends on having a relatively flat, level site in your yard. Small dips and rises can be leveled out with snow before you pour the rink, but a very uneven or sloped lawn will not be very well suited to a skating rink.
When properly constructed, a backyard skating rink will not kill the grass on your turf lawn—that’s a common fear. Construction techniques will vary slightly depending on the resources available.
Skating Rink Kits
Although a basic skating rink is fairly easy to build with ordinary materials—even just snow and water—there are also more sophisticated skating rink kits you can buy. These kits usually include vinyl, plastic, or wood sidewalls, as well as a tarp liner. More elaborate kits may include nets and raised walls to serve as the sideboards for recreational hockey. But some of these kits can cost several hundred dollars, and while they can be a good choice if you are a serious backyard hockey enthusiast, a kit is usually not needed if your goal is just a recreational rink for your family.
Source: The Spruce
