Canada's Greatest Backyard Rink!

When the Taylor family of Smithers entered the “Hockey Night in Canada Backyard Rink Contest”, they didn’t think much of their chances.

Then, last on March 11, they saw it announced on CBC TV that their rink had been chosen as the best in Canada!

Read more about the winning rink.

The Taylors’ rink, nicknamed the Canyon Creek Arena, is located on Snake Road just outside Smithers. It’s an impressive 148 feet long by 72 feet wide.

The Taylors keep their rink clear of snow using brooms and an improvised “Zamboni” (Hot water is brought to the ice using buckets and poured onto a blanket that is pulled around the ice by the men).

“We have neighbourhood people and close friends playing every Friday and Saturday night and we have kids and families skating on Saturdays and during the week after school,” says Kathy Taylor.

“We have hosted birthday parties and clubs events here and everyone plays for fun. We have a hockey shack with a stove and benches in it and all different team jerseys that the people wear. We charge $1.00 for kids or if they bring a snack to skate, they can skate all day. The guys pay $2.00 at night. We have a full light system that lights up the full rink. The guys play scrimmage hockey and the main rule is good attitude and have fun.”