Ice Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Just how good is this product compared to real ice?
A: We asked the Pro's - "I've been around hockey all my life and have used many different products for training. Nothing else comes close to improving your game like IcePro Synthetic Ice."
~ Cam Russell, 10 year NHL veteran with Chicago and Colorado

Q: Is this like other synthetic products I've seen/ used?
A: No. Our product glides further and skates faster. It provides a more realistic skating experience than competing products - that's what kids and their parents tell us. Check out our videos. Seeing is believing. Notice we use kids in our videos - others often use adults who are physically stronger because their product does not glide as well. It's important to consider a products ability to maintain your child's proper body posture while skating - IcePro allows this.

Q: Are all synthetic ice products the same?
A: Not at all. We use a specially formulated very high molecular weight resin specifically engineered for use in skating. Our product allows for aggressive transitions similar to real ice. We utlize the best raw material engineered and available anywhere in the world that allows the blade to edge accurately without wearing out the product prematurely. Others use a variety of grades of material, some too hard, some too soft to either skate properly or last as long as it should. Be careful in your selection - you will get what you pay for!

Q: How much can I expect to spend?
A: For information on pricing please visit our order page or contact us directly. Shipping, handling, and taxes also need to be considered. Bigger orders can be negotiated on a case by case basis. Shipping is inexpensive relative to the product because we can ship using a standard sized pallet.

Q: Is a thicker panel better?
A: No - not necessarily. A thicker panel is not necessary for home use. Our competitors use a thicker product because they are concerned that it will wear out prematurely. This can only mean it's a different material than IcePro. Our lighter duty panels will not only outlast your child in hockey they ofter a superior skating experience as well. Because our technology is better - we can use a thinner panel that will literally outlast the thicker competitive panels. Remember those old eye "coke-bottle" glasses people used to wear - they were replaced with thinner innovative material. The same happened with our synthetic ice. We adopted and embraced new technology, others didn't.

Q: Can I install IcePro in my backyard?
A: Yes! IcePro is UV protected and will not break down from weather. Providing you can install it on a level, stable surface it could go in your backyard or even on your deck. If the surface is not completely level then you would need to build a rigid sub-floor using common building materials such as 3/4 inch plywood covered with a vapour barrier between plywood and ice.

Q: Where is the ideal location to install IcePro?
A: For at-home installations IcePro can be located in a garage or basement area on a hard stable surface such as a concrete floor. It is possible to install it on a solid sub-floor as well. For a larger scale recreation facility a concrete floor would be ideal.

Q: What can I expect for maintenance of the product?
A: Maintenance is minimal. The product can be scrubbed clean as required with frequency depending on usage and location. Cleaning is as simple as using mop with a non aggressive detergent and water. It's just like cleaning a floor. Additionally we provide a "glide solution" that should be applied to the ice surface to maintain maximum glide factor. Depending on use we find that applying the solution even a little as once a week may be enough. It's also a good idea to vacuum off the ice surface every few days to remove debris and ice "shavings" that eventually accumulate. We recommend a shop vac for this so that mom won't get mad!

Q: Does the surface wear out?
A: The surface gets "scratched" with use. Small little shavings come off as the result of the skate blade cutting through the surface. However the product is designed to be skated on everyday and last for the long term. It will likely outlast your child's minor hockey career. The 8mm product comes with a 3 year warranty so we are very confident of it's longevity - 15 years should be the norm under regular use conditions. Also the panels can eventually be turned over to provide a like new surface after years of use. The commercial product should last between 20 - 25 years.

Q: Will severe temperatures affect the product?
A: The product is designed for temperatures between (-40C to +40C). Also the product is UV protected so it will not break down in direct sunlight. This product has been in use for many years now in Europe, including warm climates such as Spain and colder climates such as Slovakia and Iceland.

Q: Will this really help my kid get better?
A: Yes but like anything, kids have to want to get better. If a child enjoys practice then they will love IcePro - and they will inevitably improve. The more they practice the better they get. My own daughter was able to make the leap from Atom A to Atom AAA playing with boys - but she practiced on our home IcePro rink on a regular basis in the off season.