Learn to Skate FAQ

Skaters are asked to dress in layers. Wearing a thin sock, like a dress sock or tights is ideal for a proper skate fit. If you prefer, we will have skate socks available for sale in our merchandise store. Wearing leggings, athletic pants, or another type of easy to move in pant with a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt with a sweatshirt or jacket on top. Hat and mittens are also encouraged. Often skaters get warm and want to shed a layer during lessons. We discourage snow pants and heavy winter coats as they make it more difficult for skaters to move around in.

Skaters should bring themselves, hats/gloves, and a water bottle. If you have your own skates, bring those. If not, we have an extensive skate library that includes quality figure and hockey skates that skaters can borrow for their lesson. Skates remain at the arena and are not available outside of lesson times.

NIFSC Learn to Skate will utilize email as a form of communication. Please make sure your email is up-to-date and if multiple parents need communication that we have all emails for your skater. Weekly there will be an check-in table that will have one of our volunteers available to help handle questions and the weekly check in/check out process. Also please take a minute to follow us on Facebook “North Iowa Figure Skating Club” & “Learn to Skate – North Iowa”. We will post information here also.

Registration closes the day before each session starts. If you would like to register the day of or after a session starts, please contact us! Classes do fill up, but if there is room we will do our best to accommodate your skater.

We do our best to keep each level in their own class. In the event that registrations are low for a particular level, we may combine two levels. In order to provide a positive experience for all we typically will keep our class sizes to 6 skaters to 1 instructor for Snowplow levels and 10 skaters to 1 instructor for the Basic Skills & FreeSkate levels. Often in our Snowplow and Basic 1 levels we will have a Skate Squad Helper in addition to our instructors.

Each six week session will conclude with evaluations on the final class day. These evaluations will be given by a certified LTS instructor and include all the skills for the level the skater is registered for. Skaters will perform each of the skills in their level and given a pass or needs improvement score. When a skater demonstrates they have mastery for each skill in their level they will receive a passing score and advance to the next level. Evaluations are done once per session with the exception of new skaters or returning after a lengthly break skaters, who are evaluated their first day and placed in an appropriate level. As levels increase, so does the difficulty of the skills. On average skaters should anticipate spending two sessions in each Basic Skills level and three or more sessions in each FreeSkate level.

At this time we are not offering a try-it option for skaters outside of our public event days. Watch our Facebook page and website for the most up-to-date information on try-it opportunities throughout the season. These typically are themed events and open to the public.

Once class registration is completed and the first class is attended, no refunds will be offered. In the event you register and cannot attend the session, you may receive a credit for another session during the current season or request a refund (minus any processing fees and Learn to Skate USA membership fees) and it will be reviewed by the NIFSC Board of Directors.

Club skating is designed for skaters who wish to advance their skating skills through competition, private lessons, extra practice ice time, additional classes, and formal testing. Each session we will hold an information session on joining club and all its advantages, this is a great time to get your questions answered. You can also refer to our NIFSC club page for more information!