If you told someone 30 years ago that it was possible to ice skate at home, in any space, and almost any time of the year, that person would call you crazy.  

But it is, thanks to synthetic ice. 

Now, people are gliding, practicing figure eights, or even executing jumps in the comfort of home.  

Thousands of ice skating enthusiasts across the globe are picking up ice skating as a hobby or creating their own rinks for competitive training.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this trend, with a 300% increase in home synthetic ice rink installations reported by some manufacturers in 2020 alone. 

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TAKE THE FEAR OUT OF LEARNING TO ICE SKATE WITH POLYGLIDE ICE FOR THE HOME

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Understanding Synthetic Ice 

So, what’s the deal with synthetic ice? 

Picture this: You have a large, flat area at home (your backyard, garage, or spare room, for instance). 

Your dream of placing an ice rink there so you or your young ones can learn ice skating, practice, and have fun.  

Synthetic ice is the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective way to get it done. 

These are tiles or panels made of a unique polyethylene material.  

Infused with slip surface agents, the panels can be used for ice skating with metal blades. 

Get enough of these tiles or panels to cover the surface (like you would laminate or hardwood floors), and you now have a personal ice rink.  

Synthetic ice has been around for decades, primarily for commercial use. 

Now, it’s more customizable and accessible, making at-home rinks possible with a small investment.  

Synthetic ice is a great way for you or your family to start or continue ice skating lessons at home. 

Whether as a new hobby or if you’re introducing ice hockey or figure skating to your kids, consistent practice is crucial to success.  

Synthetic ice, therefore, offers an accessible and innovative solution for ice skating lessons at home, without the downsides of finding and traveling to a local ice rink.   

Setting Up Your Rink 

The ease of setup and use makes ice skating lessons at home with synthetic ice so appealing.

Most of the work comes in measuring and preparing the space for the rink. 

You’ll need to measure the area to determine how many tiles or panels you’ll need for the rink. 

As synthetic ice comes in different dimensions, measuring in advance can save you time and money.  

The rink needs a flat surface to prevent uneven rinks, a poor skating experience, or injury.  

If your  subfloor is slightly uneven use 3/4" OSB plywood or another flattening substrate to ensure a consistent surface throughout the rink. 

Synthetic ice rinks are highly customizable, as you can determine the length or width of your rink, and add-on features like rink walls or rebounders.  

Once your tiles or panels are delivered, get a friend involved to help you set them up.  

Place the synthetic ice on the designated space and connect the dovetail ends with a soft mallet.  

Within an hour, you’ll have a skateable surface ready for your first or next ice-skating lesson.  

Benefits of Ice-Skating Lessons at Home 

The benefits of ice skating at home go beyond the locations or easy setup. 

There are multiple reasons to start ice skating lessons at home. 

Home synthetic ice rinks can make ice skating more accessible to people in warmer climates or areas without easy access to ice rinks. 

You can learn to skate without traveling to a rink or scheduling rink time.  

As it’s not governed by ice, it’s usable year-round and easy to clean from ice and rain.  

Consistent practice on synthetic ice can accelerate skill improvement for both beginners and advanced skaters.

In other words, you get more frequent practice opportunities, potentially accelerating skill development.  

You also get the convenience, versatility, and innovation that comes with using synthetic ice.  

As you get more privacy to work on new skills without an audience, you can consider customizable practices that cater to your needs. 

Ice skating at home can also create a distraction-free environment, speeding up your progress as it’s easier to schedule lessons with private coaches. 

When you’re done, it’s easy to clean and maintain as synthetic ice generally lasts over ten years.   

Home Ice Coaching is Now a Reality

With your synthetic ice, you can purchase a pair of skates and begin your ice-skating journey on your own. 

However, with learning any new skill, a coach can help you make fewer mistakes and shorten the learning curve. 

A coach can come to your home and help you with the basics. 

However, many experienced coaches now offer virtual lessons, allowing you to receive expert guidance without leaving your home rink. 

Virtual training was necessary during the pandemic and has continued as a convenient form of learning.  

Through video calls, your coach can observe your form, provide real-time feedback, and demonstrate techniques just as they would in person. 

Set up a camera or your phone to capture different angles of your skating. 

Your coach then analyzes your movements in detail. 

Coaches also provide simple, customizable training plans based on the student’s skill level.  

They can also guide you on proper synthetic ice and skate maintenance and safety precautions to optimize your home skating experience. 

About 2-3 lessons per week can help you become a competent recreational skater or improve your figure skating skills.  

 

Essential Tips for Safe Skating at Home 

While learning how to ice skate can be exciting, there is a risk of falls and injury.  

Synthetic ice may not be as unforgiving as natural ice when it comes to falls, but that does not mean you should not stay safe. 

Here are some useful safety tips for beginners or advanced home skaters: 

1. Before ice skating lessons at home, ensure the surface is properly installed and maintained, with no gaps or uneven areas that could cause trips or falls. Remove shavings with a soft brush before and after skating.  
2. Wear appropriate safety gear, like knee pads and wrist guards, especially when learning new skills or practicing jumps. As you get more comfortable, you can then remove them as you get more comfortable on the ice. 
3. Keep the area around your home rink clear of obstacles. 
4. Provide enough space for stopping and potential falls. Where possible, install rink boards for added safety.  
5. Learn how to fall. Coaches can teach you the best way to fall while minimizing injury. 
6. Establish clear rules for family members or friends using the home rink, particularly regarding supervision for children. 
7. Make sure the space has good lighting to avoid falls. If your rink is in your backyard, consider skating with natural light or installing lighting for good visibility on the entire rink.  

You will become a more capable skater once you make safety a priority.  

Conclusion 

Learning how to ice skate can open a world of possibilities.  

It can be a hobby that helps you stay healthy, build community, and have a better quality of life.  

Or it can be the start of a career in figure skating, freestyle skating, dancing, or ice hockey.  

Learning to ice skate at home with synthetic ice no longer requires you to find and schedule time at a local ice rink. 

With synthetic ice, you can start your ice skating lessons at home. 

These rinks are versatile, durable, and now easily accessible with an upfront investment.  

And with an online coach in your corner, you can get the basics and speed up your progress. 

Consistency is key in ice skating.

Having a rink at home allows you to practice more frequently and efficiently. 

Lace up your skates and get started on an ice rink of your design, in your very own home.