How large is your pond? Ice damage to docks is more of an issue in very large ponds and lakes. In smaller and average size ponds the ice doesn't move around much from wind action to pile up and damage your pier, although there may be exceptions.
I have had a 70 foot permanent treated lumber dock on my .62 acre pond for several years now, and have had no problems with ice even though I have had up to 18 inches of ice. However the pier itself is above the water and ice level which may help.
I will be putting in a floating pier on my trout pond (another pond only 1/10th acre out back) only because since the pond is so small when we fight a trout up to 12 pounds I don't want a pier in the way!
In found the easiest time to install a permanent pier on a pond here where we get ice in winter is when there is ice cover. With my 70 ft. pier we bolted the 7 ten foot sections together and then pushed it out onto the ice in position with a tractor (probably could do it with a pickup). We also installed sleeves on the main 2 by six runners before pusing the pier onto the ice. Then we cut holes in the ice where the galvanized posts (from Menards) would go and dropped the pole through the sleeves. Then we pounded the poles into the bottom of the pond with a pile driver and a sludge hammer until they would not go anymore. We then wedged up the pier with some scrap lumber with out tightening the bolts on the sleeves (also from Menards), and when the pier was the height I wanted above the ice I tightend the bolts.
Only downside due to at least 8 feet of water under the pier is the pier is a little wobbly but quite secure.
The fish love it and hang around the pier a lot expecially since I feed them there.
