Ice-skating is a skill that lasts a lifetime. And here in the Great White North, learning to skate is a childhood rite of passage! It’s also a great way to spend some quality time as a family doing something active this winter.
You may have long-held dreams of teaching your child to skate…until you get out on the ice and realize it’s no small feat! Toronto has many affordable learn-to-skate programs tailored especially for kids at all levels. So why not leave it to the pros? Grab a coffee and watch your little ones take to the ice this winter.
>> Best Ice-Skating Rinks for Families in Toronto
City of Toronto Learn To Skate
The City of Toronto Learn To Skate programs are inexpensive and available for skaters at all skill levels, beginner to advanced, in all age categories, from 3 to 18. Programs are grouped by level and age (ages 3 and 4; ages 5–12, and ages 13–18). Classes take place at indoor and outdoor rinks in every part of the city. www1.toronto.ca/parks/prd/skating/reg/learn/
Central Toronto Skating Club
Learn to skate at Maple Leaf Gardens! The Central Toronto Skating Club has year-round skating lessons that employ the CanSkate system, developed by Skate Canada. It teaches the fundamentals of skating for ages 5 and up as a basis for leisure skating, figure skating, or hockey and awards badges as kids progress through levels. There’s also a PreCanSkate program for kids ages 3 and 4 and a CanPowerSkate course for future hockey and ringette players. A second rink is available at Moss Park. www.centraltorontoskating.com
Find more CanSkate programs in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada.
Harbourfront Centre Learn To Skate
Take to the ice at the lovely, outdoor Natrel Skating Rink at the Harbourfront Centre. The low-cost, four-week programs are for kids ages 4–17, with beginner and intermediate options. Register early: winter sessions begin January 7. www.harbourfrontcentre.com/learntoskate
Justin Murray Skating
With a fun, games-based approach to teaching, Justin Murray’s team engages children through creative games, use of imagination, and props—even kids as young as 2 or 3 years old are able to remain involved on the ice for a full hour. Programs have a low, 1:2 instructor to student ratio for beginners and are available for intermediate and advanced skaters as well. Instructors have experience with children with special needs, too. Classes take place at Upper Canada College. Register now for the 7-week winter session beginning January 17 or 5-week spring session beginning March 14.
www.justinmurrayskating.com
Forest Hill Figure Skating Club
This club has CanSkate, PreCanSkate, CanPower, and Pre-CanPower programs for kids ages 2–16 as well as programs designed specifically for aspiring figure skaters and private lessons. The club also has skating camps during fall, winter, and spring school breaks. Winter program sessions (17 weeks) begin January 4. Classes take place at indoor arenas in Forest Hill. www.fhfsc.ca
IMAGE: REENORELUV/FLICKR CC
Find more learn-to-skate programs in Toronto.
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