Learn To Skate
Learn the basic skills of ice skating. Our professional instructors excel in teaching all ages and abilities. The student to teacher ratio is kept low so that each skater gets the attention they need to advance through the levels and continue learning.
Summer Specialty Classes!
Wednesday Nights we're offering two rounds of great summer programming!
June (3 weeks) a rotating specialty class.
July (4 weeks) a competition class.
See below for notes and details. As always... reach out to our director with any quesitons.
Levels & Classes
Learn To Skate
Snow Plow Sam
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Snowplow Sam Levels are designed for kids age 3-5 to learn the basics of skating. Skaters will learn how to fall, get back up again, march across the ice and build the confidence to continue their skating journey.
Basic Skills
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Basic Skills levels are available to all skaters over the age of 6 (or who have graduated from Snow Plow Sam). Skaters learn the fundamentals of ice skating. Basic skills set skaters up for success no matter what ice sport a skater chooses to do.
Freeskate
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Learn to Skate USA's Freeskate program introduces skaters to the beginning elements of figure skating, including progressive skating skills, transitions, spins & Jumps. Skaters can eventually choose a competitive path of figure skating or a recreational one, either direction is definitely fun!
Adult
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It's never too late to lean how to skate, adults skate too. Learn to skate USA has a program just for adults! It's a great way to stay in shape and improve existing skills and even learn new skills.
Competition Class
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A four week, kickstarter class for those wanting to test out the world of competition!! Get ready for our very own Robin Lee Midwest Open and Summer Skate with the guidance of our great instructors. We will prepare you with your very own program and music and even cover the event fee for your first event! A great way to test the waters with low commitment and high returns! Robin Lee Midwest Open and Summer Skate is open to all levels and all ages - you're never too young or too old to try something new! Mark your calendars for Wednesdays, July 10-31!
* Class is only open to skaters not currently taking private lessons.
* Drop in is not available for this class.
June Specialty Class
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A three week group, specialty class. Format is currently being refined and confirmed - but we can promise fun for skaters working on Basic 4 and above and our adult skaters. $90 for all three weeks or $35 per class for drop in.
Check back soon for details, but mark your calendar for June Wednesdays, 12-26!
- June 12 - Edge Class
- June 19 - Jumps & Spins
- June 26 - Artistry & Gliding Maneuvers
Ice Dance
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Open to skaters working on Basic 4 and up and any of our adult skaters who are comfortable with one foot glides and are working on or have mastered crossovers (or above). A fun way to master your existing skills and also look at them in a new and fun way... This class will share the ice with the new Freestyle Session Saturday mornings (info below)... Learn the beginning skills of ice dance including steps, rhythms, and patterns. Eventually, you will put these steps and patterns to music and can even take an official USFS test! - no jumping required!
Drop in is available for $20 per session, you can pay via PayPal with the note "Ice Dance"!
LTS Freestyle Ice
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Are you or your skater looking for more ice time?! LTS skaters looking for that extra practice time or looking for a convenient time to start working with a private lesson instructor, this ice is for you! Have access to the entire sheet of ice for 30 minutes each Saturday, learn your compeition program, practice for a test, or just enjoy the freedom of the extra practice and space!
Note: This is ice time only. Any lessons held on this time would be coordinated directly with a private instructor, details are located on the Coaches Page. Private Lessons can be started at any age and any level.
Drop in is available for $10 per session, you can pay via PayPal with the note "Saturday FS"! Our standard contract ice is also available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays if you're looking for other options, details are located on the Contract Ice Page.
FAQs
Learn To Skate
How old does my skater need to be to take lessons?
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Skaters as young as three years old can sign up!
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We recommend helmets for our youngest and newest skaters
(bike or hockey helmets are great)
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How do I know which class to sign up for?
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If your skater is brand new, we always recommend starting at the beginning:
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Ages 3-6 - Register for Snow Plow Sam 1
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Age 6+ - Register for Basic 1
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If your skater has skated with us before, they should register for the class they have not yet passed. It is very normal for skaters to register for some levels on more than one occasion, some levels and skills are more challenging than others and we want to be sure your skater is ready for what comes next.
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If your skater has taken some time off since their last round of lessons, register them for the class they had most recently passed (a refresher course can be a great thing and help set them up for success!)
*We will adjust your skater up or down based on the skills they show mastery in. Just because they start on day 1 at a level 1, does not mean they will stay there through the whole session. It is always easier to move a skater up a level than bumping them back down.
Can a parent take lessons too?
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Absolutely! We have a very strong adult skating program at Minneapolis. Adults of all levels and ages are welcome and encouraged to sign up for lessons!
I have to miss a week, can I make it up somehow?
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Yes! If you need to miss a week during a session, let your instructor know and they can help you know what time a lesson would be on one of the other days of the week.
Where can I buy skates?
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Strauss Skates Maplewood 651.770.1344
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Westwood Sports Apple Valley 952.431.5590
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Pierce Skate and Ski Bloomington 952.884.1990
Do you rent skates?
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We have a limited number of skates available for use during lessons.
What should my skater wear?
- It's always best to wear too many layers - your skater can always take off a hat or jacket if they're too warm... but if you didn't bring them?
- Here's a cute example from our good friend, Snowplow Sam
What else should I know before our first lesson?
- HERE is a great primer from Learn To Skate USA with lots of good detail!