The YMCA Learn To Skate program is designed for participants ages 3 to adult.  The focus is on learning skating skills and having fun!  Our progressive levels have been structured for the gradual skating development of all participants. This program offers instruction to participants interested in recreational ice skating skills, figure skating, and hockey.

Click here for current Learn to Skate class and summer camp schedules.

AGE 3

PARENT TOT
A fun first introduction to ice skating - games, balance, and coordination on ice!  Parent and child are on the ice together.  Parent does not have to be a proficient skater….just comfortable standing on skates and moving a bit.

AGES 4 - 5

SNOWBALLS- Level 1
Beginner class (no skating experience): Introduction to falling & getting up properly, marching, march & glide, dip, toe kisses.
SNOWBEARS- Level 2
Beginner class (1-5 times on ice): Intro to falling & getting up properly, marching, 2 foot glide (short), dip (moving), forward hourglasses, hop, backward wiggles, snowplow stop.
SNOWBIRDS- Level 3
Snowplow stop, two foot glide, pineapples, forward hourglasses (6-8), backward wiggles, one  foot glide (short), curves.
PENGUINS- Level 4
Forward skating, forward hourglasses across rink, one foot glide (long), backward hourglasses, forward one foot sculling, edge balances, and slalom.

AGES 6 YEARS TO ADULT

SNOWFLAKES - Level 1A
Beginner class (minimal or no skating experience):  Intro. to falling & getting up properly, forward skating, 2-foot glide, dip, forward hourglasses, backward skating, hop, curves, snowplow stop, and good skating form.
SNOWFLAKES - Level 1B
For beginners who may have skated recreationally but never taken lessons. This level teaches beginning skating basics for the development of all future skating skills. Level 1B skills include: Level 1A skills plus pineapples, advanced forward hourglasses, one-foot glides, backward wiggles and hourglasses, slalom.
SNOWBUNNIES - Level 2A
Forward skating, snowplow stop, one-foot glide, scooter pushes, backward hourglasses, backward glide, forward one foot sculling, two foot turn (standstill).
SNOWBUNNIES - Level 2B
Advanced forward skating, two foot turn (moving), forward edge balances, inside edges, intro to forward crossovers, airplane, backward snowplow stop, hockey stop.
SNOW ANGELS - Level 3A
For intermediate basic skill level skaters: Advanced forward skating (stroking), forward crossovers, backward one-foot sculling, backward one-foot glides, backward edge balances, hockey stop.
SNOW ANGELS – Level 3B
Backward crossovers, T-stops, backward spiral, backward stroking, backward to forward, backward to forward transitions, three-turn.
ICICLES- Level 4
Figure Skating Elements: consecutive forward outside & inside edges,  Mohawk, lunge, slalom, bunny hop, alternating crossovers, pivot, 2-foot spin, waltz jump (standstill), waltz three-turns, combination of elements.
ICE SCULPTURES- Level 5
Figure Skating Elements:  Forward inside three turn, backward inside & backward outside edges, backward outside & backward inside three turn, forward outside mohawk, one foot spin, waltz jump, step sequences, half flip, mazurka, beg. Scratch spin, and moving three-turns.

Youth Hockey Skating Skills - AGES 6 - 17

HOCKEY SKATING
Pre-requisite: Must complete Learn to Skate levels 1A, 1B, & 2A
HOCKEY SKATING - LEVEL 2
Full forward strides, beginning edge work, backward skating, turns, glide and crossovers, stops & starts.
HOCKEY SKATING - LEVEL 3
Power skating, advanced edgework, backward crossovers advanced forward crossovers, power turns.

STICK AND PUCK PRACTICE (Members only)
If you would like some practice fine-tuning your stick handling, sign-up for stick and puck!  Helmets and reservations are required.  For adult/youth stick and puck, a 1:2 adult to child ratio will be enforced for the safety of the youth. Call 303-664-5455 for more information and reservations.

Private Ice Skating Instruction

The YMCA offers private skating lessons for Recreational Skaters, Figure Skaters, and Hockey Players. Lessons are offered during our recreational skate times. Registration forms are available at the Mapleton and Arapahoe Centers, or for more information call 303-664-5455 or email Roy.Howland@ymcabv.org

For more information on Learn to Skate Programs email Roy.Howland@ymcabv.org or call 303-664-5455.