If you're lucky enough to find any ice time available at your local skating rink, you'll often need a bank loan to pay for an hour of it. If you love skating then a backyard ice rink could be your answer. People have been building backyard rinks from scratch for years, but now rink kits (or portable rinks) are available to help guide you through the process step by step. Rinks come in various sizes and models to suit just about any size yard. Most rink systems are made of reusable vinyl liners that are frozen over, and come with protective borders to save them from skate and shovel cuts. They are comparable to small swimming pools as the water will remain in them in the event of a thaw or rain. Replacement liners and other accessories are available to turn your rink into a winter wonderland. Rink kits cost from $200 to $700 online, according to size.


