Indoor And Outdoor Ice Rink Lighting

Nothing feels quite like ice under your feet as you glide across the rink. Whether you’re a figure skating fan or enjoy playing hockey, skating is a fun extracurricular activity.

But did you know proper lighting is essential to creating a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone?

Indoor Ice Rink Lighting

Let’s face it, just because the calendar says it’s January doesn’t guarantee that the weather will be cold enough to skate outdoors. But an indoor ice rink is a better option for people who need to consistently improve their skills, form, and speed.

The most important thing to know about indoor ice rink lighting is that it needs to be bright enough for everyone to see clearly. Professionals on the ice must see the surface clearly to avoid obstacles; referees or judges need to see the skaters to make calls or score fairly; and viewers in the stands want to see the action without straining their eyes.

That’s a lot of masters to serve! So venues that need to accommodate all of these groups typically install two different types of lighting:

Overhead Lighting

The first type is overhead lighting, mounted on the ceiling and shining down onto the rink. This type of lighting gives people in the stands a clear view of the entire surface. But it can create glare and shadows for people on the ice, which can be dangerous.

So, when selecting overhead light fixtures for an indoor rink, choose ones that provide even, diffused lighting with low glare. Metal halide and high-pressure sodium fixtures are popular because they produce high lumen output. But they create extra heat, which can raise temperatures.

LED lighting is a newer technology that is becoming more popular for indoor ice rinks because it produces less heat and can be dimmed or turned off entirely between sessions without affecting the bulbs’ lifespan.

Flood Lights

The second type of lighting used in indoor ice rinks is floodlights, mounted around the rink’s perimeter and aimed directly at the surface. Floodlighting provides more light on the skating surface, making it easier for skaters to see. But it can create glare and shadows for people in the stands, distracting the audience.

So when selecting floodlights for an indoor rink, choose ones with a wide beam spread (the width of the light beam). A wider swath distributes light more evenly across the skating surface. Metal halide and high-pressure sodium light fixtures are popular choices because they produce high lumen output (a measure of light output). But they generate a lot of heat, which can potentially melt the surface.

Outdoor Rinks

For those lucky enough to have access to an outdoor ice-skating rink, there are factors to consider for skating rink lighting.

Natural light from the sun is the best source for an outdoor rink. And on clear days, the sun can provide enough light to skate safely. But on cloudy days or after dark, supplemental lighting helps to ensure everyone using the skating rink can see clearly.

Floodlights are the most popular supplemental lighting for outdoor rinks because they provide a wide beam that evenly illuminates the skating surface. In addition, metal halide and high-pressure sodium light fixtures are popular choices because they produce a lot of lumens (a measure of light output). But these lighting choices can generate a lot of heat, which can melt the surface.

LED lighting is a newer technology changing the game at outdoor skating rinks because they operate more efficiently.

Finding The Balance

When choosing the right lighting for a skating rink, consider the needs of all stakeholders. For example, spectators and athletes need clear visibility to see the action on the ice. Hobbyist skaters need lighting for safety. Rink management also needs energy-efficient, cost-effective lighting solutions.

LED lighting ticks all of these boxes and more. LED lights provide bright, evenly distributed light without causing excessive glare. They can be remotely controlled for easy adjustments and last longer than traditional incandescent or fluorescent lights. Plus, LED lights use less energy and require less maintenance, lowering operating costs. Overall, LED lighting is the ideal choice for any skating rink operator looking to balance the needs of all involved parties.

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