Ice Rink Tarps (aka Rink Liners)
Backyard Ice Rink Tarp Canada!
This product is a reliable White Ice Rink Utility Tarp ideal for lining outdoor skating rinks and general-purpose outdoor activity.
Light-weight and reliable, this 3.5 oz 10×10 weave polyethylene White Tarp is designed for extra durability. It features a robust 6 mil thickness, combining a 4.8 mil woven layer with a 1.2 mil low-density polyethylene coating for added strength. This coating provides a worry-free ice skating rink experience.
Aluminum grommets at every 3’ interval all around the edges for easy tie down if necessary in your installation.
Please note the sizes stated are actual sizes. For example, a 40′ x 60′ tarp is actually 40′ x 60′.
Purchase one today for an excellent skating rink experience this winter!
How to Make an Ice Rink with a Tarp
If you’re wondering if you can use a tarp to make an ice rink, this is typically how Trison Ice Rink Tarps are used:
- Using 2″x8″s or 2″x10″s, create a border the desired size of your ice rink
- ensure that the outline of your boards is smaller than the size of the tarp
- the more uneven the ground, the higher the board you should use
- for example, if your yard isn’t level you can end up with an ice rink that is very thin at one end, which can lead to cracking
- usually the best way to build an ice rink on uneven ground is to use 2″ x 4″ x 12″ side boards
- Once you have the border boards laid out, pound stakes in the ground
- Then stand up the 2″x8″ or 2″x10″ boards (or whatever size you are using) and screw them into the stakes
- This should give you a frame of 8″ or 10″ deep (depends on board size)
- Layout the tarp inside this frame, allowing the tarp to go over the boards and settle inside
- once you know the weather is going to be freezing temperatures soon, begin filling the frame with water
- it is ideal to fill the frame all at once to avoid freezing in layers
- if the water freezes in layers, this can lead to nasty chips in the ice and a poor skating experience
- that said, if you don’t have a choice but to do it in layers, multiple very thin layers is best
- once there’s a few inches of water collecting, you can adjust the tarp as necessary and it will stay in place, held by the water
- this is a good time to make sure that the tarp can fully contain the water; once the frame is full, it will be much harder to adjust the tarp
- once the ice rink is full to your desired ice thickness, you can take care of getting rid of the excess tarp
- a good way to do this is to use 1.5″ strapping wood and roll it up in the ends of the tarp, and screw it to the sides of the frame boards you used
- it isn’t 100% necessary to roll it up, you can also simple lay the strapping boards directly on top of the tarp and trim it.
Now, add friends and family and hot chocolate and you’re good to go!
How to select the right size tarp or liner for your ice rink
When selecting the size for your rink tarp, measure the available space you have in your yard.
Once you know the frame size you will build, add 5 feet to this dimension each way.
For example, if the frame will be 25′ by 45′, this is perfect for our 30’x50′ tarp.
For very large rinks, it is better to purchase a tarp that is 10′ bigger than the ice rink frame.
It’s important to remember the tarp needs to be able to come up and over the boards you use, and also have a bit extra to tie down.
Also, if you plan to use the tarp for more than one season, you will have holes in it from the tie downs of the previous year, so this ensures you don’t run out of space if the tarp isn’t installed in exactly the same location as the previous year.
Here’s a handy guide so you know what frame size to build for each of our common ice rink sizes:
| Tarp Size | Size of Rink Frame to Build*: |
| 20′ x 30′ | 15′ x 25′ |
| 20′ x 40′ | 15′ x 35′ |
| 30′ x 50′ | 25′ x 45′ |
| 40′ x 60′ | 35′ x 50′ |
| 50′ x 100′ | 40′ x 90′ |
*Please note, if you intend to have back boards behind a hockey goal for example, be sure to add the dimensions of the backboard to your tarp size calculations as well.
For example, if you plan to have 4′ back boards on each end of the rink, and you want the tarp to go over this as well, add the required dimensions to the length of your tarp.
Usually it is simply better to fasten the tarp to the frame, and then put the back boards up since the puck or ball will just dent/cut the tarp anyway.
Fastening the tarp to the frame before adding backboards also helps keep cost down b/c you don’t need such a large tarp.
Additional ice rink tarp installation tips
These helpful ice rink tarp installation tips will ensure you have a great skating season and a non frustrating install!
Choose level ground
While it sounds obvious, some lawns can have a gradual incline that is not perceptible until you start putting water in your rink.
If you suspect this is the case with your lawn, using 2″x10″ or even 2″x12″ boards is a great option to ensure your rink is thick enough.
Avoid sharp objects
When the tarp is laid out, be very careful that nothing sharp touches it.
Checking your boards for sharp or rough edges is a good practice, and also when using screws, and impact with bit, etc. never lay it on the tarp.
Also, it is recommended to carefully walk over the area the tarp will be covering to see if there are any sharp objects like sticks or stones or anything else on the ground.
Even if it isn’t really sharp, by the time the tarp is pressed onto it with the weight of the water, it could puncture the tarp.
Avoid walking on the tarp
When the tarp is laid out, it can seem more efficient to walk over the tarp if you need to adjust the other side. But it’s worth a trip around!
You never know if something sharp is stuck to your shoe, or something like that.
Go big!
It’s better to have too much tarp than not enough. Checking our chart above for tarp sizing recommendations is the best way to go.
Use back boards at the ends of the rink
If you are playing hockey, setting up some sheets of plywood behind the goal can save a lot of time hunting for the puck or ball in the snow.
Light up your rink
Getting some outdoor lights for your rink can greatly increase the number of hours you can enjoy your rink in the early dark winter evenings.
Using the tarp for another season
While it is possible to use your ice rink tarp for more than one season, we recommend using it for a single season to ensure optimal performance. Using the tarp for multiple seasons may lead to damage or breaks.
Storing your ice rink tarp for the next season
If you choose to store your tarp for the next season, follow these tips:
Clean the tarp thoroughly
There will inevitably be some leaves or grass clippings, or bugs or whatever that accumulate in the water once the rink thaws out.
Use a garden hose to wash the tarp down.
Let the tarp dry thoroughly
Making sure each side of the tarp is fully dry to avoid mildew or algae, etc. is highly recommended
Patch any holes
Once the tarp is fully dry, that’s a great time to patch any holes. We have very affordable poly tarp patch kits available for just this reason.
Protect the rink tarp
Once the rink tarp is folded and rolled up and tied, wrapping it in another utility tarp can help ensure no accidental punctures before using it again the next season.
Measure your bundle and select the right size utility tarp here.
What kind of tarp should you use for an ice rink?
We recommend the above white ice rink tarp, since this color is the most forgiving for the grass underneath.
There will always be some noticeable effect on your lawn if you place an ice rink over the grass, but using a white tarp ensures that effect is as minimal as possible.
Will a blue tarp work for an ice rink?
We don’t recommend using black or blue or dark green tarps for this reason, unless that is your only option.
Of course, everyone has a different standards of lawn care, and also if you make sure to only start the rink after the temps are already cold and remove the rink before things start growing again the effect won’t be as bad.
But still, we definitely recommend a white ice rink tarp as the number one choice for your backyard ice rink liner!
Dan W. (verified owner) –
Perfect for our outdoor rink. Would highly reccomend.
Sarah M (verified owner) –
The rep followed up quickly to confirm my mailing address and postal code
Once updated the package was shipped and recieved within days of ordering
Great service all around. Rep was quick to respond and courteous
PETER THEODOSOPOULOS (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Chris E. (verified owner) –
Product came as advertised. Arrived quicker than expected! Highly recommend shopping here.
Steve S (verified owner) –
Fernando C (verified owner) –
Jesse T. (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Dan (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Order was shipped and received very quickly.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
It’s a Christmas gift so it hasn’t been used yet but I am impressed with how quickly the order was processed and shipped and the updates that were sent on the progress of the shipment.
David (verified owner) –
After a few years of dealing with holes in rink poly, this tarp material seems much more sturdy and holds up much better to abuse. Looking forward to a good ice year!
Alex S. (verified owner) –
Patrick (verified owner) –
Heather B (verified owner) –
Great quality tarp for our outdoor rink. Held the water and did not leak.
Great service. Was ready for pickup pretty fast.
Daniel F. (verified owner) –
Worked out very well for our outdoor rink.
Mark C (verified owner) –
Came very quickly and was what I was expecting and hoping for. Would love a 75 x 40 size next time.
Peter H. (verified owner) –
I waited until I had some time to use and abuse the product before reviewing.
The ice rink liner I purchased was outstanding!
This was my first year building a rink (32’x40′) and the guy that helped me said this tarp was of higher quality and cost a little less than the ones he usually purchases (he builds a rink every season), and his are a smaller size. He said he will be going with Trison next year.
Delivery was fast and the packaging kept the liner in pristine condition.
The liner is durable and has so far withstood all puck impacts and hockey abuse (younger kids). I am hoping to be able to reuse it next season ,as I was able to secure it using only the metal o rings.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Great service. Quick response and fast shipping.
Andrew C. (verified owner) –
Shipping was fast and the product is exactly what I needed
Henry KIEZEBRINK (verified owner) –
Outstanding delivery service. Received the tarp 2 days after placing the order. Reserving judgement on the quality of the tarp as it is a skating rink tarp and won’t be used for a while yet 🙂
John A. (verified owner) –
Quick and efficient service!
Verified Buyer (verified owner) –
Great quality and fast packaging and shipping.
Rob COX (verified owner) –
Anita VERDENIK (verified owner) –
We ordered a 40×60 tarp and received a 39×59 foot tarp so It’s too short by a foot on the length and the width. Otherwise the quality is great.
Our order number was 533190
Todd MORRISON (verified owner) –
Got it really quickly in mail and fit perfectly
Jeff B. (verified owner) –
Exactly what I needed, great price, great quality, and quick shipping. Will buy again if needed.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
So far so good as per my husband
Andrea M. (verified owner) –
Update: After an initial disappointing first tarp the company calls me to see how they could help. Customer service went above and beyond to make it right. I now have my second tarp in the rink and excited for some cold weather. Thank you Trison Tarps!
Scott SHAW (verified owner) –
Lucas (verified owner) –
Craig JACKSON (verified owner) –