10 awesome backyard rinks in Canada

The perfect size for our three-year-old son, this rink is sheltered by pergolas and bamboo walls, and rope lights light it up at night. It’s been a great addition to our yard to help our kids learn how to skate. —Jodi Romanow 

Celebrate Scotiabank #HockeyDay in Canada – Feb 18 at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT – on Sportsnet

We are a house with three boys who all play hockey. From the time my first one could walk, we have been building a rink in our backyard to teach them how to skate. Though our backs break with every snowfall (as we have yet to find a DIY Zamboni solution), and our water bills are through the roof, the memories the kids have made back there have been well worth every minute of it. Plus, we always have the “home ice” advantage. —Marilu Marshall 

This photo of our outdoor rink was taken from atop our dairy farm’s tower silo. We had so many hours of fun skating with family and friends. —Matt and Larissa Hamel 

A lot of work, but so worth it. —Janet Todd 

Kids of all ages (and a great parent goalie) gather at our front-yard rink to shoot the puck and have fun playing shinny! —Barb Dean

This is one of the “rink parties” we hosted this winter, and it turned out to be the most gorgeous day! Many more turned out! It ended with a nearly two-hour parents vs. kids hockey game. —Karen Rashleigh 

Throw your own backyard rink party! Just download our invitations and make your own mini sticks. 

My daughter, Ever, and my husband, Murray, play hockey on the family rink at my parents’ home. Not shown in this photo was my 70-year-old father, who was completely suited up in his goalie gear so that the grandkids would have someone to take shots on!
—Jordan McCurrach

Our rink may not be the envy of the neighbourhood, but it’s very important to my three kids. We build the framing on Thanksgiving weekend every year. In early December, we fill the base with snowfall, then tarp and water it. Then we launch it for our Christmas Eve family gathering. Every year we add some boards and try to expand it over the hill, as the girls need more figure skating space and my boy and his friends tend to raise the pucks into the neighbour’s yard. Our rink is a big part of family winter activities and I already fear the day our kids outgrow it. —Wade Kolmel

The perfect place for the kids to burn off some steam! —Tara Fillion 

We recently moved to the country and have fulfilled a dream of building a rink for our kids to enjoy and learn the true meaning of the game. —Mike Perosevic 

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