Keep Your Chalet Dock Free of Ice All Winter
Ski season on the hills, ice season on the lake. Arbrux looks after the dock while you enjoy the snow.
Chalet life runs year-round
Around Mont-Tremblant, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Saint-Sauveur, a chalet is rarely closed for the winter. Lac Tremblant, Lac des Sables, Lac Masson and the countless smaller lakes nearby are summer playgrounds, but the snow season keeps many owners coming back long after the docks go quiet.
The lakes freeze early here and the ice lingers well into spring. That is a long stretch for a dock, crib or boathouse to stay locked in place.
Two kinds of Laurentian owners
Up most weekends
If you are at the chalet to ski, you can glance at the dock every visit and adjust the pump if the ice starts to creep in. Placement still matters: an Arbrux pump keeps the widest circle open, 40 feet across, when it sits 4 to 6 feet down.
Away until spring
If the chalet sits empty, the setup needs to be right before you leave. Our guide to running a de-icer at an empty cottage walks through mounting, power and safety.
Before the first hard freeze
- Mount the pump securely with the Dock Bundle, or the Lake Bottom Bundle where there is no dock to attach to.
- Plug into a properly rated, ground fault protected outdoor circuit installed by a licensed electrician.
- Start it early. Keeping water open is far easier than reopening it. See When Should You Turn On Your Dock De-Icer?
- Post visible signs on shore and the dock. Many Laurentian lakes see snowmobiles, skaters and ice fishers all winter.
Laurentians FAQ
Is the pump certified for use in Canada?
Yes. It is UL and CSA certified and runs on standard 115-volt power.
Are there rules about de-icers on my lake?
They vary. Check with your municipality and lake association before installing, and keep signage up all season.
What does it cost to keep running until spring?
That depends on runtime and your electricity rate. Our breakdown of winter running costs shows how to estimate it.
Enjoy the snow, not the repairs
Arbrux has built aquatic equipment in Canada since 1979, and every pump is backed by a 2-year warranty.
