Ice skating is one of the best activities you can introduce to a child. Here is why parents and pediatricians across the USA and Canada recommend it.

Balance and Coordination

Skating demands whole-body coordination and proprioception. Children who skate regularly develop superior balance compared to their non-skating peers.

Core Strength

Every stroke, stop, and turn engages the core muscles. Children develop strong abdominals, back muscles, and hip stabilizers without a single crunch.

Confidence Building

Learning to fall, get back up, and eventually skate independently is a powerful confidence-building experience. Our youngest students — as young as 3 years old — routinely surprise themselves.

Starting Age

Nova instructors start children as young as 3 years old with double-blade beginner skates. By age 5, most children can move to standard single-blade skates with proper instruction.

Before your first ice skating lesson, you need the right gear. Here is exactly what to wear and bring.

Ice Skates

Most rinks rent skates for $5–$12. For regular skaters, investing in your own pair ($80–$200 for recreational, $300+ for figure skates) is worth it. Fit tip: your heel should not lift when you walk in them.

Clothing

Dress in layers. Avoid jeans — they restrict movement and take forever to dry if you fall. Thermal leggings or athletic pants are ideal. Wear wool or moisture-wicking socks.

Gloves

Non-negotiable. Your hands will hit the ice when you fall. Thin gloves that allow finger movement are better than thick ski gloves.

Helmet

A hockey or multi-sport helmet is strongly recommended for all beginners and required for children under 12 at most rinks.

Looking for the best ice rinks across the USA for skating lessons or open sessions? Here are the top venues by state where Nova instructors are available.

New York

Rockefeller Center Ice Rink (seasonal, iconic), Wollman Rink in Central Park, and Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers (year-round, multi-sheet). Sky Rink is particularly excellent for lessons due to its dedicated freestyle sessions.

Illinois

Millennium Park Ice Rink offers free admission in winter. For serious lessons, McFetridge Sports Center and United Center practice rinks are the pro choices.

California

Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, Pickwick Ice in Burbank, and Solar4America Ice in San Jose are year-round favorites.

Colorado

The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs is home to some of the best figure skating coaches. The Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City, Utah is another world-class facility.

Massachusetts

The Skating Club of Boston has produced more Olympic figure skaters than any other rink in the country. Warrior Ice Arena (Bruins practice facility) is also available for lessons.

Figure skating is structured around a clear progression system. Whether you are dreaming of landing a triple axel or simply want to spin gracefully, here is what each level looks like.

Pre-Basic Skills

Students learn forward and backward two-foot glides, swizzles, and the beginner snowplow stop. This stage is about getting comfortable on the ice and building confidence.

Basic Skills (Levels 1–6)

Edges, one-foot glides, the T-stop, basic spins, and the waltz jump. By Level 6, students are working on back crossovers and the half-flip jump.

Freestyle Levels (1–6)

Freestyle 1 introduces the waltz jump and scratch spin. By Freestyle 6, students are landing axels, flying camels, and working on choreographed programs.

Advanced / Competitive

Double and triple jumps, combination spins, step sequences, and short program / free skate competition preparation. Not sure where you fit? Our certified figure skating instructors will assess your level in the first 20 minutes.

When you sign up for ice skating lessons you have two options: book through your local rink school or hire a private certified instructor. Here is how they compare.

Cost

Rink school group lessons typically run $45–$75 per session. Private lessons through the rink cost $80–$150/hour. With Nova Ice Skating, private certified instruction starts at $65/hour — saving you 20–60%.

Flexibility

Rink schools run on fixed schedules. If you miss a class, you lose it. Nova instructors work around your schedule — mornings, evenings, weekends, even holiday sessions.

Personalization

Group lessons divide attention among 8–15 students. Private Nova lessons mean every minute is focused entirely on your technique, goals, and pace.

Instructor Quality

All Nova instructors are USFS or ISI certified with an average of 15+ years of teaching experience. The verdict: for serious progress, a private certified instructor is unmatched.

Learning to ice skate for the first time can feel overwhelming — but with the right approach, you will be gliding confidently within your very first lesson.

Step 1: Choose the Right Skates

For complete beginners, recreational ice skates or figure skates work best. Hockey skates have a shorter blade and are harder to balance on. Make sure your skates fit snugly — no more than a half size down from your shoe size.

Step 2: Get on the Ice Safely

Hold the barrier with both hands. Bend your knees slightly — this is your most important habit. A straight-legged skater will always fall. Keep your weight centered and slightly forward.

Step 3: Learn the Penguin Walk

Before you glide, practice waddling. Point your toes slightly outward and take small, flat-footed steps. This trains your ankles and gets you comfortable with the feeling of ice beneath you.

Step 4: Your First Glide

Push off with one foot, glide on the other. Keep the gliding foot pointing straight forward. Think: push, glide, push, glide. Alternate feet rhythmically.

Step 5: Stopping

The snowplow stop: turn both toes inward and press the inside edges of your blades into the ice. You will feel resistance and slow down naturally.

Ready to progress faster? A certified Nova Ice Skating instructor can get you from wobbles to gliding in a single 60-minute session.