Whether you long for more time to practice your spins or are an avid hockey player, an at-home ice skating area is probably something you long for, but have been hesitant to try on your own.
With today's tools, however, and the right kind of ice rink tarps, you can easily construct a practice area in your own back yard.
While it will take some investment up front, the costs are minimal compared to having to constantly pay for your time at an indoor facility.
The additional available practice hours may even take you to the next level with your skating.
The Right Tools And Materials Frozen water is heavy, so you can't skip on the materials if you want to be able to skate safely on your own property.
You'll need heavy duty tarps or ice rink liners, plenty of wood for the frame (2" x 4" x10" hardwood boards should be strong enough), screws rather than nails, some tent pegs, a nearby water supply and plenty of sand to level the ground beneath the liner.
Ice rink tarps need to be able to hold the weight of three or four inches of water, so look for heavy duty tarps that feature a 12" x 12" weave and are at least 1200 denier thick.
You'll also want them to have reinforced grommets and reinforced corners so that they can be securely fastened in place.
The liners should be flexible at very low temperatures; polyethylene liners are ideal for below freezing temperatures.
Many heavy duty tarps are also UV treated, which means they'll last longer for outdoor use.
When selecting them, be sure you order them at least four to five feet longer in both directions, as they will lose length when filled with water.
Proper Construction Using Ice Rink Tarps Once you've established the area for your rink, be sure it's flat and free of all debris.
You can construct the wooden frame in place or build it elsewhere and move it into place once complete.
Be sure you use screws rather than nails, which tend to pop out at low temperatures as the wood expands and contracts.
It's crucial to smooth the inside of the frame to minimize tears or abrasions of the liner.
Fill the interior of the frame with sand to a depth of at least two inches, then level it.
Wait for a day when the temperatures have been below freezing for several days, the get out the tarp.
Put it in place, smoothing it as much as possible and bringing the edges out over the frame.
Slowly begin filling it with water to a depth of between ½" and 1" then check to make sure no areas of your tarp are wrinkled or bunching up.
Pull from the sides to smooth out the wrinkles, then use tent pegs to stake the grommets firmly into the ground before adding more water.
Once everything is secure, you can fill the area with 3" to 4" inches of water and wait for it to freeze solid before skating.
Building your own skating area using specialty ice rink tarps and a few other materials is a great investment in winter exercise, practice and fun that can keep your whole family entertained throughout the winter.