The City of Toronto offers a range of Learn to Skate, hockey, figure skating and more for participants of all ages and abilities.

Whether you want to learn to skate or pick up some hockey skills, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Programs run throughout the year. Find out how to register for recreation programs.

Helmet Requirements

The CSA logo. There is a stylized S and A surrounded by the C.
Look for the CSA logo when shopping for a helmet.

A CSA-approved hockey helmet is required to be worn by all participants in all levels of learn to skate, hockey, shinny hockey, figure skate, power skate or goalie programs.

Faceguards are mandatory for participants in

  • early years instructional programs
  • children and youth in hockey programs

Caregivers who are required to accompany their child(ren) on ice are also required to wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet.

Participants who take part in sledge programs are required to wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet.

These programs introduce new skaters five years of age and younger to basic skating skills. Skaters will build comfort and confidence on the ice through fun activities and games. The 30-minute lesson consists of a warm-up, group lesson, games and free skate.

Additional Equipment

  • Required: hockey or figure skates
  • Warm gloves or mittens
  • Winter coat
  • Snow pants or water-resistant pants

Learn to Skate with Caregiver

  • Caregivers must:
    • be 14 years old or older
    • actively participate with their enrolled child
    • be a competent skater
    • be on the ice to assist their enrolled child for the entire class

This program includes:

  • Development of balance and posture
  • Introduction to forward skating, gliding, stopping and backward skating

Learn to Skate – Beginner

  • Child must
    • be capable of going on the ice alone.
    • be able to stand and walk on skates off the ice.
  • Caregivers are not allowed on the ice.

Participants will be divided into groups according to their skill level for the instructional portion of the lesson.

This program includes:

  • Development of balance and posture
  • Introduction to forward skating, gliding, stopping and backward skating

The Learn to Skate program is designed to guide skaters through a five-level progression of skill that takes them from those first nervous steps on the ice to a striding and gliding confident skater.

Skaters should register for the level recommended by their instructor on their progress report. For skaters entering the Learn to Skate program for the first time, review the skills below to determine the best level that describes the skater’s ability. Classes include a group warm up, instructional lesson and individual free time.

Additional Equipment

  • Required: hockey or figure skates
  • Warm gloves or mittens
  • Winter coat
  • Snow pants or water-resistant pants

Learn to Skate 1

Prerequisite: Participants should be able to stand and walk on skates with straight ankles off the ice.

For those new to skating or who are unable to skate the width of the ice surface with a glide.

This program includes:

  • Development of balance and posture
  • Introduction to forward skating, gliding, stopping and backward skating

Learn to Skate 2

Prerequisite (must have one):

  • Successful completion or skill ability equal to Learn to Skate 1
  • Has the ability to skate (with a glide) the length of the ice without falling

This program includes:

  • Development forward gliding, stopping, backward skating
  • Introduction to one foot glides and backward gliding

Learn to Skate 3

Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Learn to Skate 2.

This program includes:

  • Development of backward stopping, backwards gliding and edges
  • Introduction to cross-overs, slalom skating, two foot turns

Learn to Skate 4

Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Learn to Skate 3.

This program includes:

  • Development of cross-overs, backward stopping
  • Introduction to one foot turns, backward circle thrusts

Learn to Skate 5

Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Learn to Skate 4.

This program includes:

  • Development of backward cross-overs, forward edges, skill combinations
  • Introduction to parallel stopping, backward edges and turns

The Learn to Skate program for Youth, Adults and Older Adults is divided into Beginner and Advanced lessons. These programs are designed to teach technical skill progression.

Skaters should register for the level recommended by their instructor on their progress report. Review this section to determine the best level for skaters entering the program for the first time.

Additional Equipment

  • Required: hockey or figure skates
  • Warm gloves or mittens
  • Winter coat
  • Snow pants or water-resistant pants

Learn to Skate – Beginner

Prerequisite: none

This program includes:

  • Development of balance and posture
  • Introduction to various skills involving balance & posture, forward & backward skating, and stopping

Learn to Skate – Advanced

Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Learn to Skate – Beginner.

This program includes:

  • Development of edges and turns
  • Introduction to cross-overs, slalom skating, two foot turns, parallel stopping, backward circle thrusts

Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Learn to Skate 4.

This is not a beginner Learn to Skate program.

This program includes:

  • Development of various elements of figure skating skills
  • Introduction to spins, jumps, footwork, dance and music choreography

Additional Equipment

  • Required: figure skates
  • Warm gloves or mittens
  • Winter coat

Hockey Skills – Beginner

Prerequisite (must have one):

  • Completion of Learn to Skate 1 or Learn to Skate – Beginner
  • Able to skate one length of the ice surface

The program is designed to prepare participants for entry into house league or recreational/pick-up hockey. It includes an introduction to the basic hockey skills and rules of the game.

Additional Equipment

  • Hockey skates
  • Hockey gloves
  • Neck guard
  • Hockey stick

Full hockey gear is highly recommended.

Power Skating

Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Learn to Skate Level 4.

Power Skating is the ability to generate as much strength into each stride in the shortest time possible. This is a high-energy instructional conditioning program geared toward hockey skaters.

This program includes:

  • Development of power and power strides through drills
  • Starting and stopping
  • Lateral mobility

Additional Equipment

  • Hockey skates
  • Hockey stick

Parasport: Sledge Hockey – Beginner

Prerequisite: None.

This program allows participants to play sledge hockey while developing social skills. Participants are seated in a two-bladed sledge; they use sticks with picks on one end for propulsion and curved blades on the other end for shooting. This program is for all participants with or without disabilities and with little or no experience playing sledge hockey.

Visit Accessible Recreation for more information on adapted recreation programs.

Additional Equipment

Full hockey gear.

Goalie Skills

Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Learn to Skate Level 1.

The goalie skills program introduces new goalie players to the basics of goaltending and to the rules of hockey. The program is designed to prepare goalies for entry into house league or recreational/pick-up hockey.

This program includes:

  • Development of basic goalie skills
  • Introduction to proper form, skating, shooting and blocking

Additional Equipment

Full goalie equipment.

Participants must bring their own equipment, including helmets and skates.

Proper fitting lace-up single blade skates are required. A guideline for buying skates is to look for skates one size smaller than shoe size. New skates aren’t sharpened and will need sharpening before the first class.

Wear warm comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, like water-resistant pants, non-bulky jackets and warm gloves or mittens.

Items not allowed on the ice:

  • Non-CSA approved helmets
  • broken helmets
  • utility helmets
  • bobskates
  • double bladed skates
  • speed skates
  • shoes
  • shorts

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