Tyrolean company builds temporary ice rinks for events worldwide

AST, a company based in Höfen in the Außerfern region, will rent out nearly 200 ice rinks this winter in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The firm has supplied ice for major events around the world and recovered after the pandemic, ORF reports.

Founded 40 years ago, AST began as a supplier of solar systems for swimming pools before becoming a leading provider of temporary ice rinks. Since its takeover by Energiewerke Reutte, rink rentals have been its core business. The company also operates subsidiaries in Canada and the United States.

Recent projects included the Winter Game in Dresden, watched by 32,000 spectators, the World Championships in synchronised figure skating at the Salzburg exhibition centre and the inaugural 3×3 event at Ultimate Hockey in Innsbruck.

The April event in Innsbruck presented particular challenges because outdoor temperatures reached about 20 degrees Celsius. AST manager Wühr said the team had to keep the ice in good condition during the day so it would be ready for the many games in the afternoon and evening.

AST is planning more projects in the coming months, including a major event in France: a warm-up game between France and Canada ahead of next year’s Ice Hockey World Championship. In Hall, the company is planning a multi-purpose facility that will have an artificial turf surface in summer and an ice rink in winter.

Wühr described the Crashed Ice tour, held in several major cities some years ago, as the team’s biggest challenge so far. The courses featured steep drops, obstacles, turns and jumps, and could not be prepared using a conventional ice-resurfacing machine.

The company has also built skating rinks on large cruise ships. The oval rinks must withstand the movement and flexing of a ship, Wühr said, while allowing guests to watch ice shows during voyages through the Caribbean.

AST says energy efficiency is a key issue in the industry. By monitoring ice temperature and adjusting the cooling system in advance, operators can switch off the refrigeration unit and pumps at the right time and save energy. A level, firm surface and good-quality water are also essential. Building the ice takes about one hour per millimetre; a six-centimetre rink therefore takes roughly 60 hours.

Wühr said AST has no direct competitor in Austria and faces competition mainly from international companies. He said the firm aims to stand out through technological innovation.