Contents
Profile
Ice & technology
- Topics
- Ice making, ice temperature, ice preparation, ice technicians, rink history
- For
- Fans, clubs, rink operators
Why ice is a topic in itself
For spectators, ice is simply ice. For athletes, coaches and rink operators, however, it is a highly sensitive piece of sports equipment. A figure skater needs slightly softer ice so that the blade grips on jumps and landings are cushioned. An ice hockey team wants hard, fast ice on which the puck stays flat. And in curling every shot depends on the surface being perfectly level and the pebble being right.
The articles in this section
- [Making ice & ice temperature](/lexikon/eissport/eis-temperatur): how water becomes an artificial ice surface, how thick it is and which temperatures are usual for which sport.
- [Ice preparation & ice resurfacer](/lexikon/eissport/eisaufbereitung): what the ice resurfacer does between periods and why it lays down warm water.
- [Ice technician](/lexikon/eissport/eismeister): the job behind the perfect ice, with its tasks, know-how and responsibility.
- [History of ice rinks](/lexikon/eissport/eishallen-geschichte): from the frozen lake to the multi-purpose arena.
Ice and sport: connections in the encyclopedia
Many terms in the encyclopedia are directly related to the ice: why pucks are frozen is explained under puck, how curling ice is sprinkled under pebbling. How the blade keeps contact with the ice for as long as possible in speed skating is explained by the clap skate.
You can find ice rinks near you, including public skating times, in our rink directory. Games and competitions are listed in the ice sports calendar.
Frequently asked questions in brief
- How thick is rink ice? Usually only a few centimetres; details under making ice.
- Why does the ice resurfacer use warm water? Because it bonds better with the old ice; see ice preparation.
- Who looks after the ice? A rink's ice technicians, often in shifts.
- Since when has artificial ice existed? Since 1876; more in the history of ice rinks.
- Why is curling ice rough? Because of the pebble.
Whether ice hockey, curling or figure skating: anyone who understands the technology behind the ice watches games and competitions with different eyes. Suddenly you notice why a puck bounces more often in the third period, why curling stones run differently at the end of a game or why figure skaters want to be first on fresh ice after a resurfacing.
Ice & technology: all encyclopedia entries
History of ice rinks and artificial ice
For centuries, ice sports depended on natural ice and cold winters. In 1876 the first artificial ice rink, the Glaciarium, opened in London. Since then, refrigeration technology, covered rinks and modern arenas have made ice sports possible in every season and almost anywhere.
Ice preparation & ice resurfacer (Zamboni)
The ice resurfacer shaves a thin layer off the ice, collects the resulting snow, cleans the surface and lays down a thin film of warm water that freezes into a smooth new layer of ice. Frank Zamboni built the first such machine in California in 1949.
Ice resurfacer cutting and conveying system
The cutting and conveying system is where the actual ice work happens: a blade in the conditioner shaves a thin layer off the surface, and augers carry the resulting ice snow into the snow tank.
Ice resurfacer drive unit
The drive unit is the powerhouse of the ice resurfacer: a combustion engine or an electric drive moves the vehicle and at the same time drives the hydraulics that operate the conditioner, augers and brush.
Ice resurfacer hydraulic and control system
The hydraulic and control system moves the ice resurfacer's working units precisely and reliably: a pump builds up oil pressure, valves distribute it, and cylinders and hydraulic motors move the conditioner, augers and snow tank, controlled by the driver via levers and a display.
Ice resurfacer wash and finisher system
The wash and finisher system cleans the freshly shaved ice and builds up the new layer: wash water flushes dirt out of grooves and is sucked back up, then a towel (finisher) spreads a thin film of ice-making water that freezes into a smooth surface.
Ice resurfacer water tank system
The water tank system stores the water for ice preparation and distributes it in a controlled way: clean ice-making water is spread behind the conditioner and, depending on the model, a separate circuit picks up the dirty wash water again.
Ice speedway
Ice speedway is a motorcycle racing sport on ice ovals. The bikes run with long metal spikes in their tyres, allowing extreme lean angles in the corners. Usually four riders race against each other over a few laps.
Ice technician: the job behind perfect ice
Ice technicians are responsible for making, maintaining and ensuring the quality of the ice surface in rinks. They drive the ice resurfacer, monitor the refrigeration plant and rink climate, build the ice at the start of the season and adapt it to each sport.
Making ice & ice temperature by sport
Artificial ice is made by applying water in many thin layers to a chilled concrete slab containing cooling pipes. The finished ice is usually only a few centimetres thick. The ice is tempered differently depending on the sport: colder and harder for ice hockey and speed skating, slightly warmer and softer for figure skating.
Natural ice vs. artificial ice
Natural ice forms through frost without technology, for example on lakes or flooded areas. Artificial ice is produced by refrigeration plants that cool pipes beneath the ice surface. Artificial ice is predictable and even; natural ice depends on the weather but offers special experiences.
T-Blade: the interchangeable blade system for skates
T-Blade is a blade system for ice hockey and recreational skates in which the running surface is not sharpened but swapped as an interchangeable runner. Holder, stabiliser, runner and clips can be combined in different colours; the system is mounted on boots from established manufacturers.
Zamboni: history of the ice resurfacer
The Zamboni is the best-known ice resurfacer in the world. It was invented by Californian Frank J. Zamboni, who built a first working model for his own rink in 1949. Today the brand name stands worldwide for the machine that smooths the ice during breaks.
Sources & further links
Editorially researched and checked against association and rulebook information. Found a mistake? Write to us via the Contact page.
Read more in the encyclopedia
Term
Pebbling: why curling ice is bumpy
Pebbling is the spraying of fine water droplets onto curling ice. The droplets freeze into tiny bumps, the "pebble". The stone rests only on these tips, so it glides further and runs its typical curve.
Term
Puck: dimensions, material and why it is frozen
The puck is the hard rubber disc used in ice hockey: 2.54 cm thick, 7.62 cm in diameter and weighing 156 to 170 grams. It is frozen before the game, because frozen rubber bounces less and glides more evenly over the ice.