Skating School Instruction

For more than 50 years, the Northbrook Park District Skating School has provided high-quality instruction, recreational fun and competitive opportunities!  Our staff is proud to coach a large number of passionate skaters of wide range skating levels who actively participate in USFS and Northbrook Park District events. The multi-level class structure is based on standards developed by the US Figure Skating Association.

Figure Skating Lessons
Group lessons are a fun, challenging and reasonably priced way to learn and improve skating skills. Children who can stand in skates without support are ready to learn to skate. Students of all ages learn the proper way to skate in a structured and supervised setting. Students who register for the wrong level will be transferred into the appropriate class, if space allows. Otherwise, skaters will be removed from class and issued refunds.

General Information
Classes are at the Northbrook Sports Center and in a progressive sequence. New skaters receive information before the first day of class.

Skating Makeup Classes
Skaters can make up one missed class during the current session. A makeup slip must be obtained from the Sports Center Office at least 24 hours in advance. Makeups are not allowed during classes that are full; check with the office for availability.

Skating Levels

Snowplow Sam – Discover, Learn and Play

The Snowplow Sam levels are introductory classes for ages 4 through 6. Skaters will learn the basics of skating – agility, balance, and coordination – in a safe, positive and encouraging environment, incorporating fun and games as they more through skill progression.

Off-ice orientation prior to the first skating class:

  • Equipment check – Proper fit and lacing of skates, appropriate attire, and safety helmets
  • Practice falling and recovery, marching in place, dips, hops, and one-foot balance.

 

Basic Skills – FUNdamentals

Basic Skills teaches the FUNdamentals of ice skating for ages 7 through 12. Six progressive levels introduce forward and backward skating, stops, edges, crossovers, and turns. Upon completion of the Basic Skills 1-6 levels, skaters will be able to confidently advance to more specialized areas of skating. All classes will be well-structured with the focus on proper skill development taught in a positive, FUN, and social environment. Skaters will progress at their own rate and advance after skill mastery is demonstrated.

Discover, Learn and Play – Basic 1 and 2: These introductory levels allow new skaters with no prior skating experience to build confidence while learning to skate.

FUNdamentals – Basic 3–6: These levels develop all of the fundamental skating skills on the ice. Focus is on learning the ABCs of basic athleticism: agility, balance, coordination and speed.

 

Free Skate

After passing Basic 6, skaters move to Pre Free Skate. 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.