Experienced the same thing with my rink this year (year 5). Had even colder temps than what you saw and although I formed a good 4-5" skatable surface within 4 days or so, the water at the bottom of the deeper end of my rink (12-14" at the deepest corner) took close to 10 days to freeze so...

Welcome! Always good to see another backyard-ice-loving Minnesotan joining the group. Love the flags and the advertising banners. Can't read them all, but do see a liquor store and insurance agency....seems appropriate ;-)

Hope you are enjoying the early start to the season!

Bob, My guess is that it certainly won't hurt. I wouldn't do it early in the season if the slab wasn't frozen through to the ground, but this time of year think the insulation from the show will definitely help the sunny side of your rink "survive" a bit better. I know I've intentionally l...