patinoire

A patinoire, French for ice rink, is a facility featuring a flat ice surface used for skating. Modern patinoires typically rely on artificial refrigeration to maintain ice quality, allowing skating year-round in many climates. They serve recreational skating as well as organized sports such as ice hockey and figure skating.

Indoor patinoires are enclosed arenas with controlled temperature, boards around the ice, and an ice surface kept smooth by regular resurfacing with a machine such as a Zamboni. Outdoor patinoires depend more on ambient cold and can be seasonal or temporary. Rinks vary in size and layout to accommodate different sports, events, and local space constraints.

Ice is created by circulating a refrigerant through a cooling system beneath the surface and depositing a thin frozen layer that becomes the skating sheet. Maintaining the ice involves temperature and humidity control, regular resurfacing, and ongoing maintenance of boards and dasher sections. The quality of the ice influences skating performance and safety.

Patinoires support a range of activities, including public skating sessions, youth and professional clubs, and competitions. They can host exhibitions, concerts, or community events and often function as regional or municipal hubs. As such, they contribute to sport development, education, tourism, and local economies, with accessibility programs and programming tailored to residents’ needs.