Here are a few pictures of my backyard rink from Nebraska. Really excited to see how it turns out now that it is getting cold.

Looks good but I have one question:
Where's the diving board for that deep end? :-)

I know, it was either attempt this year or wait till next. Couldn't afford to do anything with the ground this year. Not exactly sure how I am going to afford it next year but will look at that then. That being said it is deep! (lol)

Great to be a part of this blog, thanks!

I've had the same ongoing problem in my backyard. I think I started with 5" on the shallow end and probably close to your 18" at the other. Over the years and several loads of topsoil, I've been slowly building up the deeper ends so that it is now a more manageable difference (5" in some areas, more in others). As I say a lot, one of the biggest assets you can have for your backyard rink is patience.

Deke.. I've got a guy who will flatten your land in about 2 hours. He charged us $200 - but your space is smaller.. so not sure if he'd do it for less. He used a box scrapper (or something like that).. and his wife is a teacher at Bennington Elementary - so he's local. You'll have to wait 'till next year now.. but at least it can be done. We were in the same boat.. 14 inches off from one side to the other and it would have been 18 inches in the "deep" end for us. It ended up being cheaper to get him to level it then to go out and buy more 12 inch boards, brackets, braces & pay for the extra water (at least that's what I told my husband.. so let's go with that story :).

Can't wait to meet you & your boys.. so funny that you're practically a neighbor!

Erin