Since deciding to create a backyard rink, I’ve encountered one major hurdle: the weather. Building an ice rink relies heavily on Mother Nature, and up until recently, she hasn’t been cooperating. November has been unusually warm this year—10 degrees Celsius in mid-November feels downright strange. Then again, I’ve lived through enough winters to know that unpredictability is par for the course. I’ve seen snowstorms as early as October and, conversely, years where there’s no snow until well into December. Who really knows? One thing is for sure: I’m studying to become a teacher, not a meteorologist!

Thankfully, snow is finally in the forecast, and that’s a crucial first step for my backyard rink project. Snow plays an essential role in the process. In upcoming posts, I’ll share videos documenting my progress as I prepare the rink area. My initial steps will involve packing down the snow and lightly watering it to create a solid base layer of ice. Admittedly, this layer won’t be perfectly smooth—it’s more of a foundation. Once the base is in place, I’ll move on to flooding the rink, slowly building up thin layers of water that will freeze into a smoother skating surface.

This project has been a learning experience, not just in terms of technique but also in patience and adaptability. Weather is unpredictable, and there’s only so much I can control. But I’m optimistic! Winter is coming, and so is my ice rink. Stay tuned for updates, tips, and (hopefully) some smooth, glossy ice in the near future.

Stay Tuned

Rob