The City of London offers Learn to Ice Skate programs for ages 3 and up at various locations throughout the city. Registration is required for Learn to Ice Skate programs. Walk-ins are not permitted. Participants must bring their own skates, and a CSA approved hockey helmet is required. We strongly suggest a full-face shield hockey helmet. Find a full list of learn to ice skate programs below, under the blue banner at the bottom of this page (to customize your search by date range, time range, days of the week, age groups, facilities and more, click the filter icon in the top right corner).
To learn more about recreation programs we offer, please visit Play Your Way online to find the full list of recreation programs offered by the City of London. For more information on the City of London's Public Ice Skating sessions, please click here.
Learn to ice skate programs
The City of London offers a variety of learn to ice skate opportunities.
Adult learn to ice skate programs
It's never too late to ice skate! This program teaches basic skating fundamentals while enhancing a healthy and active lifestyle. This program is for ages 14 and up. Participants advance at their own pace in a relaxed atmosphere with a fully certified coach.
* Participants must bring their own skates, and a CSA approved hockey helmet is required. We strongly suggest a full-face shield hockey helmet. Scroll below to register or visit our main registration page for information related to financial assistance.
Children/youth learn to ice skate programs
The learn to ice skate program is designed to offer children/youth ages four to 13 the opportunity to learn through interactive strategies that will teach basic skating techniques. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes. There are four levels within the program. Children will graduate from each level once they have mastered the below criteria. Please register your child in the appropriate level based on their ability.
Level One
- Make snow, walk or march across the ice
- Stationary jump, fall down and get up
- Marching around on the spot (both directions)
- Walk backwards
- Kicking ball with alternating feet
- Two-foot glide – sitting and standing
- Forward skating across the rink without falling, with a consecutive push-glide sequence
Level Two
- Forward skating across rink without fall, with consecutive push-glide sequence with speed
- Forward stop, forward and backward double sculling
- Forward and backward skate and jump
- Forward two foot–one foot glide (hold for a minimum two seconds)
- Backward skating width of the ice with weight transfer from one foot to the other with gliding motion
- Stationary “V” pushes
Level Three
- Backward consecutive “C” pushes across the ice
- Backward stop while skating
- Backward two-foot/one-foot glide with balance
- Forward circle thrusts, backward “C” circle thrusts
- Forward and backward one-foot glide on curve
- Forward tight glide turns
Level Four
- Forward and backward crossovers
- Mohawk turns, forward to backwards and backwards to forward (edge optional) or three-turn (with optional edge)
- Forward outside and inside edges
- Lunge/knee drop
- Two-foot and one-foot side stops
* Participants must bring their own skates, and a CSA approved hockey helmet is required. We strongly suggest a full-face shield hockey helmet. Scroll below to register or visit our main registration page for information related to financial assistance.
Parent and tot learn to ice skate programs
A preschool program designed to teach young skaters from ages three to five how to ice skate. This program will involve one parent/guardian over the age of 16 to be present on the ice with skates participating in the basic techniques of skating as well as a variety of games with the child.
This interactive program will teach your young tot to ice skate by participating in creative and themed activities while focusing on fun and continuous movement. Class is limited to 10 participants.
* Participants must bring their own ice skates, and a CSA approved hockey helmet is required for both the child and adult. We strongly suggest a full-face shield hockey helmet. Scroll below to register or visit our main registration page for information related to financial assistance.