Olympic Ice: How It's Made and Maintained
Wednesday, 2026/02/11198 words3 minutes793 reads
Olympic ice is a carefully prepared surface used in international winter sports competitions. Skilled technicians known as 'ice masters' are responsible for creating and maintaining this ice to ensure optimal conditions for athletes.
The ice-making process begins with laying five centimeters of insulation on the concrete floor. A vapor barrier is placed on top, followed by mats containing glycol to keep the ice cold. Boards and glass walls surround the rink, and approximately two inches of water is added to create the ice sheets. The surface is painted white, sealed, and marked with sport-specific lines and logos. Finally, three to four centimeters of water is added to create the playing field, with temperatures maintained between -5 and -4 degrees Celsius.
Different sports require different ice conditions. Ice hockey needs harder ice for quick stops, while figure skating requires softer, warmer ice to cushion landings. Curling uses a pebbled texture created by spraying water droplets that freeze. Long track speed skating demands the coldest, thinnest, and hardest ice surface.
Ice masters carefully monitor water purity by checking pH levels and removing minerals. External factors like temperature changes, lighting, and crowd size can all affect ice quality and athlete performance.
