If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into your backyard and skating on your own private rink, you’re not alone. Backyard ice rink rentals are becoming one of the most popular winter upgrades for families across Minnesota—and for good reason.
But how do backyard rink rentals actually work?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from setup to maintenance—so you can decide if renting a rink is the right choice for your winter.
What Is a Backyard Ice Rink Rental?
A backyard ice rink rental is a seasonal service where a company provides everything you need to enjoy a real ice rink at home—without the hassle of buying, installing, and storing the equipment yourself.
Instead of investing thousands of dollars into a permanent setup, you rent the rink for the winter and return it at the end of the season.
This makes it an ideal option for:
Families trying it for the first time
Hockey players looking to practice at home
Neighborhoods wanting a shared outdoor space
Anyone who wants winter fun without long-term commitment
What’s Included in a Rink Rental?
While it can vary slightly by provider, most backyard rink rentals (including ours at Polar Bear Rinks) include:
Rink Boards
Durable perimeter boards that define the rink and keep the water contained.
Liner
A heavy-duty liner that holds the water and forms the ice surface.
Setup & Installation
Professional installation ensures your rink is level, stable, and ready to freeze.
Take-Down in Spring
When winter ends, the rink is removed so your yard can return to normal.
How Installation Works
The process is simpler than most people expect.
1. Site Evaluation
We begin with a yard consultation to measure slope, assess access and water availability, and determine the best rink size and location. We confirm that the proposed location meets our installation requirements before moving forward.
For more on what we look for, read Can You Build a Backyard Ice Rink in Any Yard?
2. Rink Setup
As we approach winter, the team installs:
The brackets
The boards
Any optional add-ons (like lights)
3. Filling the Rink
Once temperatures are consistantly low enough, the team installs the liner.
Water added gradually to ensure a smooth, level ice surface.
Depending on weather conditions, your rink will typically be skate-ready within a few days.
Who Maintains the Ice?
With a Polar Bear Rinks rental, homeowners handle routine snow removal and ice resurfacing throughout the winter. We handle installation, initial fill assistance, spring removal, and seasonal equipment storage.
Keeping snow cleared and applying light resurfacing layers when conditions are suitable helps keep your rink ready for skating. We provide guidance, and you can contact us when questions come up.
Read our Backyard Ice Rink Maintenance Tips for more on caring for your ice throughout the season.
How Long Does the Rental Last?
Your rental covers the winter season. Most board installations happen in November, before consistent freezing temperatures arrive.
We return to install the liner and begin filling when the weather is suitable. The first skating day depends on temperatures, water depth, and how quickly the rink freezes.
In spring, we remove the rink after the ice has completely thawed and store the equipment for the summer. Installation, skating, and removal dates vary with Minnesota’s weather each year.
Why Rent Instead of Buy?
Professional Installation
We assess your yard and handle board installation, liner installation, and initial fill assistance.
Spring Removal and Storage
You don’t need to take down the rink or find room for the equipment over the summer. We remove it after the ice thaws and store it for you.
Lower Returning-Season Pricing
Your first season costs more than subsequent seasons. Returning-season pricing is lower because we store and reuse your rink equipment.
A Season to See How Your Family Uses It
Renting gives you a winter to discover how skating, hockey practice, and neighborhood games fit into your family’s routine.
Compare our backyard ice rink rental packages for first-year and returning-season pricing.
Who Are Backyard Rink Rentals Best For?
Backyard rink rentals are especially popular with:
Families with young kids
Youth hockey players
Backyard entertainers
Minnesota homeowners looking to make the most of winter
If you’ve ever thought, “We’d use it all the time if we had one,”—you probably will.
What Does a Backyard Ice Rink Rental Cost?
Polar Bear Rinks’ standard packages are $5,200, $6,200, and $7,200 for the first season. Returning-season prices are $2,600, $3,200, and $3,500, respectively.
Package pricing is based on rink perimeter. Your yard consultation helps determine a suitable size and layout. Larger rinks and optional upgrades, such as lights, netting, and tall boards, are quoted separately.
Visit our backyard ice rink rental packages page for package details and current pricing. For a broader comparison of DIY, kit, and professionally installed options, read How Much Does a Backyard Ice Rink Cost in Minnesota?
Is Your Yard a Good Fit?
A suitable rink location needs manageable slope, enough usable space, practical access for installation, and a water source that can reach the rink.
At Polar Bear Rinks, we prefer locations with 10 inches or less of elevation difference across the rink footprint. Some locations may qualify with up to 12 inches using standard boards or up to 14 inches using tall boards, subject to a yard consultation.
Your rink’s dimensions can be adjusted to suit the available space. We measure the proposed location before confirming the size and installation.
Read Can You Build a Backyard Ice Rink in Any Yard? for a closer look at slope, space, and other site requirements.
Make Winter Your Favorite Season
A backyard ice rink isn’t just a feature—it’s an experience.
It’s early morning skates before school.
It’s neighborhood hockey games under the lights.
It’s getting outside when most people stay in.
And with a rental, it’s easier than ever to make it happen.
Ready to Rent a Backyard Ice Rink?
Polar Bear Rinks handles installation, spring removal, and seasonal equipment storage so your family can enjoy skating at home.
Explore our backyard ice rink rental packages to compare options, or request a yard consultation so we can assess your space and recommend a suitable rink.