Home rink dimensions?

[Dante2004 0]

I have set up "shooting ranges" in the garage, but now I am thinking about setting up something in the backyard. Go "big time" and do it right. But first I want to get an idea of home much this is going to cost me.

I want something wide enough where I can skate the length of it and practice some moves on cones, etc...and long enough where I can take shots on a net and have it be similar to the length of a "point shot".

Surely someone out there has done something similar, whether it be a back yard ice rink, or a inline hockey setup. What are the minimum dimensions that I would need for this to be useable? I don't want to invest the money to set this up and then skate once on it and realize it is too small...or go overboard and make it too big! I am not looking to play a full game on it! haha

Thanks!

[blue_line 2]

From blue line to goal line is 60'. On a regulation rink, the width is 85' (on olympic it's 100'). So, if you make a 60'x40' rink, you'll get one zone, between the dots (roughly).

[AlphaSierra 1]

I bought the Nicerink starter kit 20x40 last winter, mainly to expose my kid to the ice. I will say, it is much bigger set up than what you think it will be. That said, I would not have gotten to full speed or done any high speed maneuvers, too small for that. But it was perfect for slow stick handling, shooting, passing with a couple buddies. I am NOT a salesman for NiceRink, however, the option to expand, ease of configuration, etc, is nice. A good product I would highly recommend. 20x40 starter setup is about 300, and I had to spend another 250 on plywood for the boards.

I could go on and on about lessons learned from last winter, but the main point I should make is rink placement. Check out the Nice rink youtube videos, there is one on initial setup, thats the one you want. My yard looks relatively flat, but by roping out the rink and using the laser level I found out I had a 10 inch difference would needed some re-enforcement to hold all that water.

It is A LOT of work. I would not have traded it for the world though, son loved it. Let me know if you want more info.