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Learn to Skate Registration & Class Descriptions
This year classes will be held once a week on Tues or Thurs. You may sign up for more than one class per week.
The City of Idaho Falls strives to make its program inclusive and accessible for all individuals. If your child requires individual accommodations due to any condition, impairment, or as a result of any injury, please contact us and let us know how we can properly make accommodations.
Adult (18+)
This class is designed for adults of all ages and skating abilities with an emphasis on fun, fitness, and camaraderie. Class begins with a warm-up, followed by group instruction of basic skills, balance, coordination, and technique. Group instruction is followed by time for individual help, practice, and/or instruction of more advanced skills and dance patterns.
Preschool Intro to Skating 1-4
Snowplow Sam classes are introductory classes designed for children ages 4 - 6 yrs. Classes are divided into 4 progressive levels that will build confidence while skaters learn basic skating skills and develop the ABCs of movement - Agility, Balance, Coordination, and speed. Class size is limited to ensure quality instruction with a low teacher-student ratio.
Preschool 1
- Sit down and Stand up with skates, on and off the ice.
- March in Place.
- March Forward (8-10 steps).
- March, then glide on two feet.
- Dip in place
Preschool 2
- March, followed by a long glide.
- Dip while moving
- Backward walking, toes turned inward, shifting weight (4-6 steps).
- Backward wiggles (6 in a row)
- Forward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
- Beginning snowplow stop motion - in place or holding onto barrier.
- Two foot hop in place (optional).
Preschool 3
- Forward Skating (8-10 glides).
- Forward one-foot glide, two times skater's height (R and L)
- Forward Swizzles (4-6 in a row)
- Backward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
- Moving forward snowplow stop (two-foot)
- Curves
Preschool 4
- Forward Skating.
- Backward two-foot glide, length of skater's height.
- Backward Swizzle (4-6)
- Rocking horse - one forward, one backward swizzle, repeat twice.
- Two-foot turns from forward to backward, in place (both directions)
- Two-foot hop, hop in place.
Intro Skating Lessons Youth 7-17 yrs old.
The Basic skills classes teach the fundamentals of ice skating for all skaters. Hockey skates may be worn through the Basic 4 level. The skills learned and developed in each class allows the student to progress through the levels at their own pace. These classes are for kids 7 to 18 years old
- Sit down and stand up on ice.
- March forward across the ice.
- Forward two-foot glide.
- Dip
- Forward Swizzles (4-6 in a row)
- Beginning wiggles (6-8 in a row)
- Beginning Snowplow stop on one or two feet.
- Two-foot hop in place (optional)
Novice
- Scooter pushes (R and L)
- Forward one-foot glides (R and L)
- Backward two-foot glide (Glide the length of skater's height)
- Rocking Horse repeated twice (one forward swizzle, one backward swizzle)
- E. Backward swizzles (6-8 in a row)
- Two-foot turns from forward to backward in place (clockwise and counterclockwise)
- Moving snowplow stop.
- Curves (Optional)
Intermediate
- Beginning forward stroking showing correct use of blade.
- Forward half swizzle pumps on a circle (6-8 consecutive clockwise and counterclockwise)
- Moving forward to backward two foot turns on a circle (clockwise and counterclockwise)
- Beginning backward one-foot glides focusing on balance.
- Backward snowplow stop (R and L)
- Forward slalom.
- Forward pivots (clockwise and counterclockwise) Optional.
- Forward outside and inside edge on a circle (R and L)
- Forward crossovers (clockwise and counterclockwise)
- Backward half swizzle pumps on a circle (clockwise and counterclockwise)
- Backward one-foot glides (R and L)
- Beginning two-foot spin (Up to two revolutions)
- Forward lunges (both legs) Optional.
Advanced
Free-Skate Classes (Figure Skaters)
Each free skate level is comprised of a variety of progressive skating skills, transitions, spins and jumps - all of which build on the previous skill, providing skaters a strong foundation of all elements. These levels will be taught in a positive and interactive group format such as a bridge program, circuit classes, or as an introductory training program. Instructors will focus on quality and mastery of skills.
Pre-Free
This is where skaters will get their first true introduction into the concept of jumps and spins. Transitions to edgework, pivots to crossovers, and the Mazurka jump to the Waltz jump.
Free-Skate 1-6
Spirals, footwork, basic spins and jumps.