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I am looking for tips and/or advise on what is the best way to create an ice sheet outdoors...

Thanks for any advise!

yasoguy wrote:I am looking for tips and/or advise on what is the best way to create an ice sheet outdoors...

Thanks for any advise!

www.nicerink.com

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We are stuck using a grassy, flat surface. Is it best to have a layer of packed snow with it lightly sprinkled with water first before adding heavier amounts of water or just add water from the get go.?

yasoguy wrote:We are stuck using a grassy, flat surface. Is it best to have a layer of packed snow with it lightly sprinkled with water first before adding heavier amounts of water or just add water from the get go.?

I would put a liner down. It will save you water.

flatontheice wrote:

yasoguy wrote:We are stuck using a grassy, flat surface. Is it best to have a layer of packed snow with it lightly sprinkled with water first before adding heavier amounts of water or just add water from the get go.?

I would put a liner down. It will save you water.

Good call... and use white or light gray color.

Depending on the dimensions, use 1 to 3 big utility tarps.

We have a full 80X200 size. Not sure we have tarps that would fill the whole area??!!?!

If you can swing the cost, ice turns out a whole lot better if you use warm water. Cold will get you you really chippy ice.

There are a few different ways to do this right:

-Get a big nice ice liner & fill it by applying layers slowly (1/4 - ½ inch at a time) allowing the water to fully freeze before adding the next layer
-Be careful not to let the water thaw out the previously frozen ice or you’ll lose it
-Also make sure there are no sticks or sharp rocks that can puncture the liner or it will all leak out
-Spray or sprinkle the water on (using an oscillating sprinkler) to get build up a thin layer everywhere and let freeze
-On a rink that’s 80 x 200 a liner will cost about $2000 so you may want to just flood on the ground by adding thin layers with a sprayer or sprinkler (it will kill the grass unless you use a liner – trust me!)
-Don’t get too greedy in applying water by letting the hose run or you’ll melt the ice and the water will carve through your ice & you’ll have big ruts to fill that will take forever
-If you end up with holes you can pack in snow in the holes & spray with water and let the patch freeze – don’t saturate too much or it will run out.
-Add water to the low spots to get the whole thing level
-Once you have it basically level, you need to continuously add to the surface using a Nice Ice resurfacer or something like it. I made one from copper pipe that worked great but my rink was only 40 x 70.

I used to set my alarm and get up every 2 hours to add layers when I was putting the ice in.

If you can use warm water - it will help smooth out the bumps but I never had the luxury in 13 years of making rinks.

Good luck – Pucky.

Find a lake!

What is lake?

Sorry, I live in Olmsted County and I have never heard that term before.

[quote="SEMinnHockeyNut"]What is lake?

Sorry, I live in Olmsted County and I have never heard that term before.[/quote]

Haha if only Silver Lake froze e h SE?

[quote="pucky-duck"]There are a few different ways to do this right:


-Spray or sprinkle the water on (using an oscillating sprinkler) to get build up a thin layer everywhere and let freeze

This is the best way I seen, you try to much it's more of a mess then anything, take your time, and the results will show.

SEMinnHockeyNut wrote:What is lake?

Sorry, I live in Olmsted County and I have never heard that term before.

Lake-noun-a body of fresh or salt water of considerable size, surrounded by land.

HSHockey1 wrote:

SEMinnHockeyNut wrote:What is lake?

Sorry, I live in Olmsted County and I have never heard that term before.

Lake-noun-a body of fresh or salt water of considerable size, surrounded by land.

Good one


RIW