We are interested in building a back yard winter ice skating rink, any tips?
955933
Habitant's answer is great!  Couple of things to add though, if you don't have boards or don't want to build any you are still going to need something to keep the water on the rink so use 2x6's or something similar that will give you a little bit of an edge.  (You can also just build up snow)  Also before you start flooding you want to have your area as flat as possible and a fairly thick base of hard packed snow. Packed down as hard as you can.  Once that is done put up your boards and start flooding.  \n\nSome tips about flooding are only flood when it's below 0 and when building the rink it's best to flood between -5 &-10 with no sun or strong wind.  Anything colder I have found you don't get a good base and anything warmer it just dosen't freeze.   When flooding for maintance it doesn't so much matter but it does when building.  Second if you can afford it flood (for maintenance) with hot / warm water and use a hose attachement that is going to give you a fine even mist!  You'll have the nicest rink in town!  \n\nOne more thing, once you rink is built you will want to clear the snow as soon as it has stopped snowing.  don't leave snow to sit on it, it will ruin your ice!\n\nWe've been doning this for years and have gotten a bit carried away, we paint lines, we have sponsers on the boards benches and penalty boxes, and even a place for the "Fans"  it's great!  There is nothing like an outdoor rink so have fun with yours!
174462
The following link is an example of a focused business plan for a roller rink in Boise, Idaho.  The financials can be found halfway down the plan.  Use it as a guide:\n\nhttp://www.referenceforbusiness.com/business-plans/Business-Plans-Volume-07/Roller-Rink.html
208153
Sure as long as the ice is think enough and you don't damage the liner or edgeing with you skates!!  Also make sure that your pool can be left with enough water in it to skate on with out causeing damage from the expansion of the ice.  We have an inground pool and have it 2/3 full al winter long and it gets about 4 - 6 inches of ice on top.  Have Fun!!
900009
Probably help the kids build a snowman. Our yards aren't fenced in the front so we can gather all the snow from our neighbors lawn as well. If not that, then build snow forts in the front yard followed by a snowball fight.
1181124
Start by making the letter "C" with each skate (obviously the left one will be a backwards "C").  Make sure to bend at the knees.\n\nOnce you get that mastered, you can try and learn how to crossover going backwards, which you can do quicker...and it looks pretty cool, too.
848402
for skate ramp specifications ccs.com has ramp plans that i think you can buy for 9.99 or goto the local skate shop/park and ask them, im sure they would be happy to tell you.
350530
Try this site:\n\nhttp://www.recmanagement.com/features.php?fid=200305FE02&ch=3\n\nAnd also, this site gives a step by step demonstration using pictures.  As to where to acquire the materials or how to rent a polaris to move the material, I think might be another Yahoo! Answer.\n\nhttp://www.aukebaylandingcraft.com/BuildingTrails.html\n\nHopefully, this gives you some idea of the direction to go.  Good luck!
210064
Go to the ice rink by you and put up flyers for what you're looking for. The right people will want to donate the skates to you out of passion and not money if that's what your concern is. Don't worry, it's all about passion. Those who have the right heart will come. Flyer up and get out the word to people. Don't Give Up! =>
537854
Artificial rinks can  be made in cold climates by enclosing a level area of ground, filling it with water, and letting it freeze.\nWith the pipes cold, a thin layer of water is sprayed on the sand or concrete to seal and level it (or in the case of concrete, to keep it from being marked). \nThis thin layer is painted white or pale blue, for better contrast; markings necessary for hockey or curling are also placed, along with logos or other decorations. \nAnother thin layer of water is sprayed atop this. \nThe ice is built up to a thickness of 2-3 centimetres by repeated flows of water onto the surface. \nPeriodically after the ice has been used, it is resurfaced using a machine called an ice resurfacer. For curling, the surface is 'pebbled' by allowing loose drops of cold water to fall onto the ice and freeze into rounded peaks.
1083400
start out skating backward, lift up your left foot a little bit, raising it behind you,\nTurn a little bit, followign your left shoulder and hop onto your left foot.\nTake it slow, small, low foot work and keep practicing.\nOr- if there are little girls skating around the rink that look like they know how, ASK them. They would think it was pretty cool to be able to teach someone older
907469
You can build it out of wood or plywood but you need to top it with puck board. I don't acutally know what that is but that's what someone told me to do. I think it's a board made out of the stuff that makes pucks but it can't be cheap or even easy to find. You should probably just go to home depot and ask someone there what would be good because you ask this question a lot, and obviously none of us are helping you.
695687
Please see the following dry ice website.\n\nPS - I am a licensed Professional Engineer.  I reviewed the following website and found the information quite adequate.  If you need additional information you just may need to do some work.
176125
There is a great roller hockey rink in Mar Vista park - corner of Sawtelle and Palms. It's pretty nice, good boards and has lights for night games.  There is a banner up right now calling for participants for summer leagues. I looked for a web site but could not find any.
367570
There's some skate park off lake shore drive that i've always wanted to go to. really you can go anywhere and you'll find a good skate spot. just make sure you don't get caught.
70812
Buy a "backyard ice rink" kit. I've seen these advertised in hockey magazines like the USA Hockey members magazine. They are easily found on the web as well. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, you will minimally need to put together some kind of frame and potentially lay out plastic to keep the water from seeping into the ground.  If you have a natural depression in your yard (as was the case with my dirt driveway when growing up) and you don't care about the shape of your rink you could just fill it with water when it gets cold enough.  You can't get much cheaper than that!
288058
we dug a round hole & put a big [tractor] wheel down into the hole.  Then had a hard metal lid made for it.  Take the lid off & fire pit!!  Put the lid on & we can mow over it, walk on it, etc.\nworks great & is only a fews yard from our basement walk-out
853634
try the basement.  how about the front lawn!