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Brilliant Method for Building DIY Backyard Ice Rinks Gets an Upgrade

Dylan Gastell's EZ-ICE gets a Pro version

By Rain Noe - November 8, 2021

in Object Culture

In 2017 we learned about Dylan Gastel's clever design for a DIY backyard skating rink. Gastel's thoughtful system converted what used to be a challenging construction task into something that could literally be assembled by eight-year-olds, without using any tools and without having to drive stakes into the ground.

Four years later Gastel's company, EZ-ICE, has evolved the design even further. Users now have the option of adding rounded corners, arena-height sidewalls and nets to stop errant pucks.

I also like that the modular components mean you can expand the size of the rink next season by adding new pieces to what you've already got.

Look at how the system comes together, and I think you'll agree that this beats the pants off of trying to build a rink using lumber, stakes and power tools:

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I think Gastell's design is simple, brilliant, and ought be taught as a case study for ID programs. It's a perfect example of using materials economically while improving both the UX of assembly and the quality of the finished product.

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Alex Netz

3 years ago

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As a canadian I know many, many people who have their own ring. U need a realtively flat land, u buy a tarp, ideally a special one. U wait for snow. After u have a few inches u can flood it with water. It takes a lot of maintenance, clearing subsequent snowfalls, spraying hot water and resurfacing the ice. (Most people dont have a zamboni in their shed).
While i have never seen this system im sure it works. Ive seen many others and they are either harder to install, much more bulkier (the rotomolded panels alone are a great idea: much lighter and cheaper that hdpe over plywood).
Why would someone trash this in the comments if they obviously dont know much about this?

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Dave Cannon

3 years ago

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Born and raised Floridian here. How does ice get in it? If I buy it for the backyard, do they deliver the ice?

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Zach W

3 years ago

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I'm sure it's a cool product (no pun intended) but the website makes it seem pretty fake.
-None of the testimonial interviews include people using the actual product.
-None of the videos show this actual product in use (they look like botched together prototypes)
-No video shows the rink being setup in an actual yard and filled with water / ice.... they use renders
-The fancy renders don't show the giant tarp you have to lay down and clamp to the sides.
they also fail to mention filling the rink will use like 8,000 gallons of water or more.

In my experience if it's cold enough for an outdoor rink people just push show into the shape of a rink and skip the hundreds of pounds of plastic that will break and crack over time......

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Hyram Williams

3 years ago

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$7K for a large 30' x 60' it is a great price value. Small rinks are $2K+/-.

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