Dustin & Sarah Smith, Minnesota YardRink Owners Since 2023
Being a skating family means that a trip to Scheels Sports for new skates wasn’t out of the ordinary. However, their YardRink display was something unexpected. Fast forward two years and our winters have been completely transformed. For us, having a YardRink is like a pool party every Saturday, but the water is frozen and the drinks are warmer!
Becoming a Backyard Rink Family
When we learned about YardRink in Scheels that day, we started to get serious about building a backyard rink. We had more than enough space, so we grabbed a brochure, started researching backyard rinks, and checked out the other ODR options. We loved everything YardRink had to offer. The concept of ice-filled walls, rounded corners, puck retention nets, and an outside tarp was very compelling, and we took the step forward to make our backyard skating dreams a reality.
Despite a very mild first winter with our YardRink, we enjoyed some skateable days on the rink. The area where we set up our rink is in the shade all day, so it stays solid despite high temperatures in the winter. However, days with higher temperatures didn't stop us from planning how we would use our rink in the years to come.
Extra YardRink Panels = More Fun!
After a successful first year, we wanted to expand our rink to make it even bigger and better. We’re so grateful to YardRink for working with us to make it happen. Adding additional panels to our current rink made it both longer and wider. Thankfully, by Thanksgiving 2024 we had solid ice and were ready to skate.
Our whole family loves it—especially our three kids, two boys and a girl all under nine years old, who live and breathe hockey. The moment they get home from school, they’re on the ice. This year, even an adult hockey beer league became part of our routine, making the sport an even bigger part of our lives.
The Most Fun ODR on the Street
We never expected to spend so much time outside in the winter, but having a home ice advantage means we can skate whenever we want—whether it’s for practice, skill development, or just pure fun. What we didn’t anticipate was how much screen time would decrease now that the kids would rather be outside hitting pucks.
Every parent dreams of having the “fun house” on the street, and thanks to our rink, that’s exactly what we’ve become. Friends, neighbors, and even some of the kids’ coaches stop by to skate. Meanwhile, we relax on the deck and patio, enjoy the fire pit with a drink in hand, and even roll out the mini TV to watch the Minnesota Wild play under the stars.
For us, YardRink was a no-brainer. The experience has been incredible, and we’ve even convinced a few other hockey families to look into getting one—because we can’t stop raving about it. Plus, let’s be honest—the rink looks pretty great in our backyard!
