Here are some of the questions we hear frequently from potential backyard rinkbuilders. Don’t see your question here? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
When should we contact you?
The short answer: Anytime.
The longer answer: Our frame builds typically take place around Thanksgiving, and prior to that week, we’ll need several weeks to survey your yard, order your parts, and schedule your install. So ideally, you’ve reached out to us by October 1. That said, if you’re reading this later than that, contact us and we can discuss your specific situation. At the very least, we can put you on a list for next season.
Note: we also LOVE site visits in the summer. Rink season might be months away, but we can certainly come visit you, check the slope and positioning of your future rink, and get the paperwork out of the way early. We love to talk about backyard rinks, even in the summer!
Does it kill the grass?
Provided you get the liner up off the ground as soon as the ice melts, no. If you leave the liner down and full of water until Memorial Day, then yes. Grass in New England is dormant for the entirety of the backyard rink season, and lucky for you, one of the services we offer is end-of-season teardown. We’ll be in touch with you towards the end of the season, and once you declare ice out on your slab, we’ll come by, drain the water, and pull your liner up. This allows the grass underneath to begin growing just as it normally would. By the time you mow it for the first time, nobody will even be able to see where the rink was.
How much water do I need?
There is no single answer for this, as every rink is different. It depends on the rink width, rink length, and the depth of the water. Most water delivery tankers can hold 6,000 to 9,000 gallons at a time, and that’s typically enough to get all but the largest rinks started. Occasionally you’ll need to top off with your garden hose or schedule a second delivery.
Note: we don’t own our own water trucks, but we do have relationships with several local companies. We’ll do our best to give you the most current delivery pricing, and you’ll be responsible for paying the water delivery company directly on fill day.
How long does the season last?
We’re located in Southern New Hampshire, about an hour north of Boston, MA. For us and for our clients, the season typically begins in early- to mid-December, and lasts until late-February. 2010-2011 was a very good winter: we filled our home rink on December 10th and took our last strides on March 1st. 2012-2013 was interesting in that February was quite warm, but those who kept up with their rink were rewarded with some extremely rare late-March skating. 2013-2014 was, in a word, EPIC. We skated from mid-December through late-March. That said, every winter is its own animal. Some winters there are so many warm days or snow events that it’s difficult to skate ten times. Other winters you’ll hear stories of people skating for 60 straight days. The uncertainty is part of the charm of having your own backyard rink, and though we’ve been asked, we do not offer any weather guarantees.
How much are your full rinks?
This is tough to answer, as there are literally thousands of combinations of rink sizes, parts, liners, and accessories available. We’ve built over 50 natural rinks since we launched in the fall of 2011, and every one has been somewhere between $1500 and $5000, inclusive of parts and labor. We are committed to selling and installing premium rinks using the best components money can buy, and we strive to be up front about our pricing soon after you contact us.
What is your service area?
We are based in Bedford, New Hampshire, an hour north of Boston. We service all of Southern NH and Northeastern MA with our suite of backyard rink services which include design, frame installation, end-of-season teardown, and offseason storage.
We are able to drop-ship Nicerink parts worldwide.
