ICE TECHNICIAN DEVELOPMENT
Ontario’s ice technicians are among the best in the world. Curling Ontario is committed to providing ongoing training and support so facilities across the province have access to skilled personnel who create exceptional ice surfaces.
Curling Canada’s Ice Technician Training and Certification Pathway includes five programs tailored to two settings: dedicated curling centres and arena-style (non-dedicated) venues used for major championships. Curling Ontario delivers the Assistant and Head Ice Technician programs, while Curling Canada delivers the Competition Ice Technician program. Each Assistant, Head, and Chief/Competition program combines online coursework with hands‑on practical instruction.
TRANSFER PLAN
Ice Technicians who were previously trained or certified in the “Levels system” will be granted equivalencies as outlined below. If a technician was partially through training in the levels system, bridging plans to complete training are also detailed below.
AVAILABLE ICE TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAMS
Explore the three ice technician programs below for full details on course content, delivery format, prerequisites, and registration. Click or toggle a program tab to expand and view more information.
Program Overview
Delivered by: Curling Ontario
Cost: $110 + HST
Prerequisites: None
Duration: One day
Status on completion: Trained Assistant Ice Technician
Evaluation: None
Who should attend: Volunteers or entry-level staff who will work under a Certified Head Ice Technician and assist with daily ice maintenance and draw-change procedures.
What you’ll learn:
- Safety and workplace procedures
- Cleaning and housekeeping
- Scraping, pebbling and nipping
- Temperature monitoring
- Opening and closing routines
- Draw-change procedures
- Basic troubleshooting
Ideal for those starting in ice care and supporting a certified Head Ice Technician.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Delivered by: Curling Ontario
Cost: $500 + HST
Prerequisites (one required):
- Trained Assistant Ice Technician program
- World Curling Federation – Introduction to Ice Maintenance (online)
- 12 months working at a curling facility under a Certified Head Ice Technician
- Former Level 1 Ice Technician course
- Former Facility Operator Assistant course (Ontario)
Format & length:
- Online pre-course modules
- Two days in-person (course begins at final flood stage)
Status on completion:
- Trained Head Ice Technician (after course)
- Certified Head Ice Technician (after passing evaluation requirements)
Evaluation requirements:
- Online quiz
- Online Safe Sport training
- In-person / photo-video skills evaluation
Who should attend:
Individuals starting a career in ice making who need the skills to install, maintain and remove ice in dedicated curling facilities for league and bonspiel play. Suitable for those who will supervise Assistant Ice Technicians.
Learning outcomes:
Participants will learn about:
- Characteristics of quality ice
- Curling centre safety and refrigeration plant operation
- Water quality, floors and drainage
- Ice installation and removal techniques
- Pebbling, scraping and paint/logo techniques
- Stone maintenance and daily ice care
- Managing environmental conditions
Head Ice Technician Evaluation
When you’re ready for certification, register for the Head Ice Technician evaluation (fee: $50). Evaluations can be conducted in‑person or via video; candidates will be contacted to confirm the preferred method.
Video submission guidelines:
- Film each required evidence segment per Curling Canada’s Ice Technician Operations Manual.
- A second person must operate a stable camera while you perform tasks (scraping, pebbling, etc.).
- Ensure adequate lighting and steady shots.
- Include footage of scraping one sheet up and back and pebbling one way.
- Submit video via email, Dropbox, or WeTransfer.
Questions or assistance:
Contact Curling Ontario’s Education Manager at education@curlingontario.ca
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Competition Ice refers to curling ice installed in an arena (a non-dedicated facility, e.g., a hockey rink) over an existing surface for short-duration competitive events.
Program delivery
- Delivered by: Curling Canada
- Format: Three-day in-person training conducted during an arena installation
Entry requirements (selection may be limited by space/experience)
Applicants must meet both sets of requirements:
- Certification: either
- Certified Head Ice Technician, OR
- Certified Level 2 (previous levels system) plus Safe Sport education
- Experience: minimum 3 years working as a Certified Head Ice Technician
- Application materials: resume and a letter of interest outlining career aspirations
Cost & logistics
- Training takes place during an arena installation; applicants may be selected based on experience and space availability.
Outcomes & certification
- Status at workshop completion: Trained Competition Ice Technician
- Evaluation: Online examination
- Status after successful evaluation: Certified Competition Ice Technician
Who should attend:
Certified Head Ice Technicians seeking advanced professional development or those who wish to support competitive events in their province/territory.
Key learning outcomes:
Participants will gain advanced skills and knowledge in:
- Water filtration and flooding techniques
- Advanced pebbling: theory and application (size, temperature, speed)
- Advanced scraping: blade reading, honing, truing
- Advanced clipping techniques to control speed and curl
- Dragging rocks for texturing and sheet break-in
- Building and preparing competition-grade sheets for various events (Local Tour, Mixed Doubles, Youth, Wheelchair)
- Monitoring and controlling environmental conditions (refrigeration, air, humidity)
- Stone maintenance and advanced texturing to preserve running surface width
- Troubleshooting, takedown, scheduling and volunteer management
- Professionalism and advanced customer service with staff, management, public, and fellow ice technicians
Questions and registration
For workshop dates and inquiries, contact Curling Canada Ice Tech: icetech@curling.ca.
ICE TECHNICIAN EDUCATION PATHWAY
The Ice Technician Education Pathway is a structured training and certification program managed by Curling Canada and provincial associations to train professionals in installing, maintaining, and removing competition-quality curling ice. It outlines program levels, prerequisites, learning outcomes, and certification steps for assistant, head, and competition ice technicians.