Indoor Ice Skating: 7 Best Options to Consider with Synthetic Ice
There’s something magical about ice skating, whether doing it for fun, playing ice hockey, or being a competitive figure skater.
Young or old, big or small, when winter comes, it’s time to lace up those boots.
If you want to skate beyond the Holidays, you’ll need access to an indoor rink.
Powered by refrigeration, these rinks provide the winter wonderland you need to hone your ice skating skills.
Indoor ice rinks and traditional ice skating as a whole come with limitations.
TAKE YOUR OFF-ICE HOCKEY TRAINING TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH POLYGLIDE SYNTHETIC ICE
Outdoor ice skating can be largely seasonal, as cold temperatures are needed to maintain a rink.
This limits indoor ice skating to the rinks in your area or those that are available for recreational skating.
If you’re also looking for skating opportunities in the warmer months, unless you have access to an indoor rink, you’re out of luck.
Traditional indoor rinks are also expensive to set up and maintain.
They require thousands of gallons of water and electricity, and they have complex refrigeration systems that must be managed by professionals.
The rinks need regular resurfacing to ensure a smooth surface every time.
Innovations have allowed indoor ice skating, hockey, and other ice sports to circumvent these limitations.
Synthetic ice rinks are growing in popularity and are now readily available for commercial and personal use.
Setting Up Your Own Rink?
That’s right.
You can set up your own indoor rink for ice skating.
Synthetic ice has been around for decades but is seeing a renaissance in the skating world.
These are unique materials made of polyethylene, a durable plastic product.
Polyethylene is infused with special surfacing agents to provide a slick solution you can ice skate on using your real skates.
Synthetic ice is also customizable, allowing you to fit them into the indoor space.
This has opened up lots of possibilities, allowing ice skating enthusiasts to skate to their heart’s content without the many limitations of refrigerated rinks or natural ice.
If you’re considering setting up your own indoor ice rink, you need to take a few factors into account, so you have the best possible experience.
Here are the seven options to consider with synthetic ice.
1. Tiles or Panels?
You’ll often see the terms synthetic ice ‘tiles’ and ‘panels.’
Some synthetic ice providers use these terms interchangeably.
Yet, there are key differences that can determine factors like skating experience, durability, and long-term costs.
Synthetic ice tiles are often smaller and lighter than panels.
Tiles were made to meet the demands of individual skaters or small groups that wanted to set up a home rink for recreational use or practice.
They are ideal for small spaces and practice areas like a spare room, garage, or driveway.
Tiles are also easier to handle and transport and are often cheaper than panels.
Synthetic ice panels are larger, heavier, and more durable.
They are ideal for large rinks that will accommodate multiple people or professional skaters who have intense training sessions.
Their durability and weight make them more expensive, and they also require freight forwarding.
Choose the right tile or panel based on your long-term goals.
2. Modular or Interlocking Panels?
Rinks are made of multiple synthetic ice pieces to cover the desired surface area.
Each tile or panel must be connected to the other to form a large rink.
Synthetic ice often comes with different interlocking systems, which can impact their construction.
Some contain puzzle-like tiles with dovetailed joints, and others have grooved connections that need to be pinned.
Interlocking tiles are ideal for portable rinks, temporary and permanant installations.
If you’re looking to DIY your rink in a couple of hours, an interlocking solution is ideal.
Modular options are often present on panels.
These connect to other pieces with a tongue and groove profile that requires inserting multiple plastic dowels with a rubber mallet to lock them together.
3. Business, Training, or Pleasure?
What’s the reason for your rink?
This is something you should think about well in advance.
If you’re creating a commercial rink, large synthetic ice panels are best.
These durable panels can hold up to high skating traffic and will last longer than synthetic ice tiles.
If you have a small space and need to train the basics, you can get an interlocking synthetic ice starter kit.
For more advanced training, for instance, hockey or practicing complex jumps, consider a larger rink with panels.
4. Should You Go For Solid-Core Construction?
Did you know synthetic ice can have a solid-core construction?
With a solid-core makeup, the rink has the same properties on both sides.
In other words, you can flip the tile or panel without impacting performance.
Some brands are only skateable on one side.
A solid-core makeup extends the lifespan of your rink.
When one side is worn down, just flip it over and continue skating!
5. The Best Option for Temporary vs Permanent Rinks
Ice skating should be a permanent fixture in your life, but the rink?
Not so much.
You’ll need to determine if your rink will be a permanent or temporary fixture.
For instance, commercial synthetic ice rinks are temporary to meet the demands of the Holidays.
However, these still require panels.
Choosing an easy-to-install panel solution is ideal for temporary business use.
Home rinks for basic training or for kids to have fun can benefit from synthetic ice tiles, especially if space is limited.
However, if you’re considering a permanent rink in your home that won’t be moved, panels work best.
6. Ice Rink Versatility – Sock Skating, Curling, and More
Whether you choose a temporary, easy-to-install rink or a long-term solution, you get versatility.
Ice rinks aren’t limited to ice skating.
You can use them for sock skating, roller skating, curling, and other cool activities.
What else do you consider when setting up your indoor ice skating rink?
This can help you make the best decision that will benefit everyone for years.
7. Where Should You Source Your Synthetic Ice?
As synthetic ice has risen in popularity, so has the supply of products.
You can buy generic tiles on Amazon and some sporting goods stores.
However, these tiles have the same simple, single-sided features that you see on a hockey shooting tile.
They can also provide customizable ice surfaces, with staff that can provide expert advice for all your ice needs.
Another option is to consider renting your rink from a commercial supplier that also may be able to provide services with your rink package.
Consider project size, budget, brand, quality, and customer service.
Conclusion
Synthetic ice rinks are fantastic options for indoor ice skating, hockey, and everything in between.
The materials used for these rinks can last for years, and choosing a solid core guarantees their durability.
You’re also not limited to seasonal weather, so your rink will be in operation at all times.
Their lower maintenance appeal (no Zamboni resurfacing!) means you can invest more upfront to create the rink of your dreams.
Take these options into consideration when setting up indoor ice skating.
It will save you time and you won’t have to come back to the drawing board because you did not choose the right type of synthetic ice.
Combine multiple tiles or panels to make a rink perfect for your garage or a commercial space large enough for many skaters.
We believe that ice skating should be accessible year-round.
Using this revolutionary alternative changes the game, making you not miss a beat on your skating journey.
Contact us today so you can build the rink of your dreams.
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