Skating lessons
Skating lessons
We have skating lessons for all ages who want to gain confidence on the ice and improve technique while learning to skate. Lessons are at select arenas only.
Benefits of skating lessons
- Learn skating skills while building confidence in a supportive environment
- Make friends with like-minded interests
- Experience the joy of improvement and try something new
- Improve joint flexibility, cardiovascular health end muscle strength
- Enhance coordination, balance and body awareness
Winter registration dates
- 6 a.m. — Online (virtual waiting room opens at 5:30 a.m.)
- 8:30 a.m. — By calling the Customer Service Centre at 403-268-3800 (option 1)
- During business hours — At any City-operated Aquatic & Recreation or Arts facility
Types of skating lessons
You can register online, in person at our Aquatic facilities, or by calling
403-268-3800 (option 1).
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These lessons are intended for those with cognitive impairments. You will learn basic skills needed to skate in a safe and welcoming environment. Parents, guardians and aids are encouraged to get on the ice to support participants.
Ages: 12+
Prerequisite: None
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Through drills and activities, kids with little or no experience skating will be shown basic techniques to gain more confidence on the ice. They will learn the proper way to fall and stand up, march on ice and glide forward.
Age: 3 - 15 years
Prerequisite: None
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Kids with some experience skating will improve their coordination and balance on the ice. Through drills and activities, they will learn how to skate forwards, snowplow stop, walk backwards and do walking crossovers.
Age: 3 - 15 years
Prerequisite: Skating lessons 1 or equivalent.
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Kids who are confident with the basics of skating will continue to increase their skills and learn new ways to move in this skating lesson. Through drills and activities, they will learn one-foot glides, L-push, forward and backward sculling and backwards skating.
Age: 6 - 15 years
Prerequisite: Skating lessons 2 or equivalent.
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This skating lesson is for kids who can confidently skate forwards and know how to skate backwards. It will help increase their edge control and speed. Through drills and activities, they will learn forward circle thrusts, forward slalom, backward glides, how to change skating direction and edge control on a turn.
Age: 6 - 15 years
Prerequisite: Skating lessons 3 or equivalent.
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Kids who are strong forward and backward skaters will continue to increase their skating skills and learn different ways to stop. They will learn two-foot stops, backward snowplow stops, backward circle thrusts and forward crossovers through drills and activities.
Age: 6 - 15 years
Prerequisite: Skating lessons 4 or equivalent.
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Skaters will refine their skills and continue to increase their speed in this skating lesson. Kids who can confidently do forward crossovers and skate in both directions will learn how to do crossovers in a figure eight pattern, one-foot stops and C-turns through drills and activities.
Age: 6 - 15 years
Prerequisite: Skating lessons 5 or equivalent.
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In this single skating lesson, skaters will work with an instructor to develop skills of their choosing from any skating level. They could work on forward and backward skating, turns, gliding and crossovers.
Age: 4 - 15 years
Prerequisite: Skating lessons 1 or equivalent.
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You will join your preschooler on the ice and learn how to assist them while they learn to skate and build their confidence. They will learn the proper way to fall and stand up, march on ice and forward glide through fun drills, games and activities. You should only have one child with you on the ice. If you are not comfortable on skates, ice cleats will be provided.
Ages: 3 - 5 years + adult
Prerequisite: None
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In this beginner skating lesson, you will learn the basics of skating to become more confident on the ice. Through drills and activities, you will learn how to stand, fall, push forwards and backwards, and stop.
Ages: 16+ years
Prerequisite: None
About our skating instructors
Our instructors have strong hockey/figure skating backgrounds. Some may also hold certificates from the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Figures Skating, CanSkate, other Hockey Certification and/or Nationally recognized HIGH FIVE Certification.
All our Instructors hold current Intermediate First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) level “C” and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certifications.
What are skating lessons like?
Our program focuses on the basics required to make skating a lifetime activity. Our instructors teach skating through games and fun activities.
On the first day of classes, participants will be assessed on their abilities. This ensures their progress throughout the session is optimized.
Multiple lessons will be held on the ice simultaneously. Specific viewing areas are provided for parents to watch while lesson is in progress.
Come prepared
We recommend you arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to lesson start time to be dressed and prepared for the lesson.
The following gear is required for skating lessons:
- Hockey helmet - helmet must be Canadian Safety Association (CSA) approved. Hockey helmet with full face cage is recommended. Bicycle helmets are NOT permitted
- Lace-up skates - Ensure skates are sharpened (new skates do not come sharpened). Skates with buckles are not recommended
- Gloves or mittens
- Snow pants and jacket are recommended
- Refer to participant skate & helmet recommendations found at calgary.ca/recreationforms under skating, and view our equipment videos for additional information on helmets, skates & Hockey equipment
More skating lessons
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Our lessons help all skill levels and ages learn the fundamentals of playing hockey and ringette. Lessons are at select arenas only.
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Our lessons help experienced young skaters learn the fundamentals of figure skating. Lessons are at select arenas only.