After dealing with rain a little over a month ago, then some continous snow, I didn't think I would be able to pull this off again this year, but I was able to. The tough thing about doing the ice rink the old fashion way is all the site prep, packing the base & leveling the best you can then soaking that packed snow & gradually building it to good ice. Then of course is the continuous cleaning task, but, it is worth it (I think). Now we are faced with some milder temps & sun, I am hoping it can withstand it for a couple more day's. I also put some pic's of the snow tube run I put together (again) for some added outdoor fun in our yard. I build it & maintain it with my Prowler, it makes for a good groomer. -Mezz
very cool mezz we also build one here in chicago at a buds house he kind of cheats though buys wood for the sides and also a liner very costly but also very nice exacty how do you do yours? it does look very nice he bought special devive to flood do you use a hose? also and other tips would be good info.ty
Well, I pack the area & back drag it many times with the ATV/UTV. I try to get a decent base established with the first number of significant snows. This helps me level things out as good as possible where needed. Once the base is packed tight & dragged somewhat smooth then I start building on the perimeter banks. Next, good ole water from the garden hose. To start, I use an oscillating sprinkler set for a one sided panning. That allows me to keep from adding footprints in the base. Once this is set up enough, then I start flooding with the hose & a regular brass nozzle fanning the water on as evenly as possible. After about 9 hours of watering time (over a period of day's) it begins to form good ice. Nice cold nights are a plus, when you are done flooding, you can hear the ice expand & pop. Really, no special tools required, just a lot of time, patience, and a good steel scraper, oh, & a lot of cooperation from Mother Nature.-Mezz
thanks for the tips. feel like putting on the blades as we speak but we had a pretty good melt down here but rink survived just needs a few days of recovery plus i am heading to fla in am thank again for the tips
Love the tube run! The ice rink looks awesome too, I never got interested in ice skating, or hockey, you ever see a hobbit try to ice skate? Not a pretty site. LOL.
Thanks skylar, lol! "Hobbit try to ice skate" that's funny! I was hoping for a bunch more snow than we have right now, but, it is was it is. It's all about creating fun, good safe fun and fun that I only was only able to dream of having in my own back yard as a kid. Of course, you have to have space, fortunately, we do. As much work as it is, it is all worth it to see the smiles when it's used.-Mezz
Nice work Mezz! Reminds me of growing up in Winnipeg Manitoba. Had a similar ice rink (all three of us brothers played hockey), and a self made sled run through the trees down to the Red River banks. Great times!
Your yard is the yard that all the kids in town want to hang around in. Do your kids have lots of new friends in the winter months. I growing up had a pool in the back yard, and had a lot of summer friends that wanted to hang out. As an adult, I would hang out in your yard. That tube run looks like a blast.
Tube run looks pretty good. Do they lose it on the bend at the top of the ravine?
We never had hills around when I was a kid, so we built snow piles to make them. Your kids are way ahead. Give them a bonus start on the run and build a big ol snow pile at the top.(dang it, still need one of those smiley icons)
Looks almost as much fun building those as it would be to play.
Nice work Mezz! Reminds me of growing up in Winnipeg Manitoba. Had a similar ice rink (all three of us brothers played hockey), and a self made sled run through the trees down to the Red River banks. Great times!
Holy crap, you are Canadian? That explains a lot! LOL.
Mezz, I know were you live. ( green neighbors house in pic gave it away) If you see me on a tube in your back yard don't shoot! That rink and tube run is to die for! Every kids dream from the 60's and 70's. (prevideo games). I am concerned about the first curve it looks off camber in the pic.
Last edited by polarisrider1; 01-17-2010 at 10:32 AM.
favoritos, I did build up a starting ramp on the tube run, it is the second pic above looking from the top down. I did include one below which shows this from the start of the first corner. Polarisrider, you know where I live, now that's scary,lol! Yeah, that first curve is off camber, but the bank holds the rider inplace & gives a better approach to the second corner which leads to a decent approach to the third corner & out. The first corner kinda spins the tube rider like the Mad Hadder's Tea Cup ride at Disney. I am luck to have seven lots all together & being on that hill & having the yard terraced like that helps out. Sorry, no pic's of the rink in use, too warm right now, but here are a couple of the tube run in use.-Mezz
Growing up ours wasn't quite as nice. We just dumped washtubs of water down the neighbors hill. It made for some great speed and only a few broken bones. Ah, the good old days.
Growing up ours wasn't quite as nice. We just dumped washtubs of water down the neighbors hill. It made for some great speed and only a few broken bones. Ah, the good old days.
Looks sweet Mezz!
Ahh! yes! How quickly we forgot about the walk back to the top.
Looks great Mezz! I enjoyed the pictures last year, great to see you making it a tradition!
Wish I could do something like that for my kids, they would love it, but I don't think Indiana weather will be as nice to me as the UP weather is to you even on a bad UP day. LOL
Thanks all, I have been doing this for quite a few years. I'm not sure who likes it more, the big kids or the little kids. I have fun making it, but the best part I guess is watching them have fun using it. I don't know so much about the ice rink though, it's a lot of work for 1 guy. Though lately, with the lack of snowfall, there hasn't been any shoveling or scraping to do. I will have to get back to flooding now that temps at night are cooling down enough, though that will be in between running for basketball games & practices. Here is to hoping our winter begins to return, we have been snow starved lately. I think it's time to make a call.-Mezz
Our Old Fashion Ice Rink & Sno-Tube Run
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Originally Posted by doospunk
