Frequently Asked Questions

If you or you skater child is genuinely interested in figure skating, it is greatly recommended that you join a local figure skating club. There are many types of memberships available for all levels. Joining a club allows you to stay up to date with lots of cool skating events and activities, make new friends, participate in shows and other social events with other club members, and most importantly, grow in your skating.

Visit the membership page to learn more about the benefits of joining our club.

It is recommended that you join Learn to Skate USA when you sign up for your very first skating classes. Learn to Skate USA not only highlights the basic skating skills teaching curriculum, but it also provides you with many interesting tips regarding skating. A membership with Learn to Skate USA allows for participation in basic skills, non-qualifying competitions to encourage skaters to compete and perform.

However, it is highly advised that you begin thinking about joining a club once you complete Basic 6/ Adult 6. As you continue to advance through the freeskate curriculum you begin learning skills that are testable through U.S Figure Skating. Joining a skating club as a full member will also grant you a membership with U.S Figure Skating (USFS) (which is the governing body for figure skating) allowing you to participate in a wider range of activities including higher level competitions (pre-preliminary and up), qualifying competitions, shows, figure skating tests, …

Many Learn to Skate programs provide rental skates. Those are fine helping you take your very first steps on the ice and learning how to glide around. As you advance through the Learn to Skate curriculum and begin learning more advanced skills such as crossovers (Basic 4/ Adult 4 and up), your feet and ankle require better skates with better support.

While your feet may survive learning many of those skills in rental skates, it is highly recommended that once you begin learning jumps such as bunny hops (currently in Basic 5/ Adult 5 and up), you get your own skates as not having properly fitting skates with adequate ankle support may result in injuries.

It is highly recommended that you consult with your coach or a skate technician prior to purchasing skates as getting the wrong skates for you or your child may be detrimental in the long run. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our skating director who will be more than happy to assist you in answering any question you may have regarding skate purchase.

Our #1 recommended website to purchase new skates: https://iceboxskating.co.uk

Pre-Loved Options:

• Local Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/131048074174864
• Simply Skating Consignment: https://www.simplyskatingconsignment.com
• Nationwide Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122117197915157

Unlike group classes offered through the learn-to-skate program, private lessons allow you as a skater to work one on one with a coach. Though we often recommend starting with LTS lessons, not everyone can fit those times in their schedule. You may take private lessons at any level; however, it is mostly recommended to begin thinking about private lessons once you reach Basic 4-5/Adult 4-5 levels on the LTS curriculum. At this level you start learning skills that require more technique and are very fundamental in developing advanced skills. Many skaters tend advance at different pace at this level and most can benefit from one on one teaching in addition to group lessons.

As you continue to advance and plan to participate in competitions and shows, at that point it is very important to find a coach to work on getting you prepared for such events.

Starting private lessons is very simple. You may ask any of the coaches during LTS lessons whether you can start a lesson with them or if they have anyone to recommend. You may also visit our club coaches page to see the list of coaches. And if you need any assistance in determining what coach may best fit you needs, do not hesitate to contact our skating director for assistance.

Private lessons prices vary from state to state based on cost of living as well as coaches’ years of experiences and acquired credentials. Additionally, the skater is responsible for paying to get on the ice for their lesson. Locally, they range anywhere from $20-$50 per half hour. Additionally, skaters are responsible for paying for their own ice time while in a private lesson.

Group lessons and private lessons are designed to complement one another. It can be very beneficial to the learning process when taken in combination. As you advance through skating skills, there are various specialty group classes still available such as “jump and spin”, “edge class”, “axel class”, off-ice training, …