Ice Skating Lessons

• Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior the start of your lesson to allow time for going through the reception gates and collect your skates and put them on.
• Upon arrival, please inform the concierge this is your first skating lessons so they can show you how to use the Better UK app and use the reception gates. (The app will show your member card barcode, which allows you to go through the gates 10 minutes prior the start of the lessons. You can download the app here: Get our app!) 
• The concierge will ask your child's name and verify they are in the lessons register so you can go through. 
• Make your way to the rink and collect your skates at the window next to where the lockers are. If you need to use a locker, please ask the staff at the skate hire for a token (please note regular trolley tokens or £1 coin do not fit in the rink lockers).
• You will then meet the instructor who will check you/your child in their register.

Please make sure your child is wearing warm clothes that are comfortable but fitted, warm socks and gloves.

Once you or your children have completed 100% of the first level, your instructor will inform you can go to the next stage.

Please note this process is not automated, as the next level may not be available on the same day or time.

Please check the spaces available in the next level online here, or ask the concierge at reception on your way out.

The easiest way to get moved up is to ask at reception as our staff can do this for you then and there. Alternatively, please send us a request by email.

We regret we do not offer waiting lists.

Lessons are taught in groups of 12-15 pupils. (Ratio cannot excede 15 pupils per teacher.)

For Snow Tots (under 5s), groups are for 7 children maximum.

• Snow Tots are for 3-5 year olds.
• Children lessons from level 1 up until Academy are for all ages from 5 up to 15. There is a mix of ages in all levels.
• Adult lessons from level 1 up until Academy are for all ages from 16 years. There is a mix of ages in all levels, from young adults to seniors!

• Stage 1

Getting on and off the ice unaided. | Hold onto your skating aid and march 10 steps forward. | Stand on ice unaided. | March on the spot. | Wiggle on two feet.

• Stage 2

Throw toy forward and collect it. | Fall down and get up unaided. | Stationery basic lemon motion. | Forward moving march 10 steps unaided. | Turning on spot.

• Stage 3

Forward moving march followed by two foot glide plus basic lemon motion. | Forward moving march in and out of cones. | Unaided moving forward across ice. | Moving backwards. | Stationary snowball to gather snow.

 

• Level 1 

Moving forward. | Sit and stand independantly. | Moving forward (10steps) & two foot glide (with dip). | Stationary snowplough stop. | Moving snowplough stop. | Moving foward (10 steps) & two-foot glide into a forward lemon.

 

• Level 2 

Moving forward 10 steps - two-foot glide on a curve left & right. | (a) Moving forward snowplough stop or (b) T-stop (a) snowplough stop. | Moving backwards. | Two-foot turn on the spot (180 degrees). | (a) Forward and (b) backward lemons (min 5 of each) (a) forward lemons.

 

• Level 3 

Forward stroking (correct glide, push & free leg). | Backward snowplough stop. | Forward to backward two foot turns (both directions). | Forward outside and inside edges one foot glides, both directions. | Forward two-foot slalom.

 

• Level 4 

Forward open chasses on circle and both directions. | Backward stroking demonstrating correct free foot position & pushing technique. | Forward outside edges to be held for a minimum 5 seconds in both directions. | Forward inside edges - minimum of 5 seconds in both directions. | Two-foot 3-turn both directions on a semi-circle.

 

• Level 5 

Forward crossovers both directions -executed slowly. | Forward outside 3-turn - both directions. | Backwards open chasses - both directions. | Stepping from backwards inside edge to forward inside edge. | Backward two-foot slalom 10 metres minimum.

 

• Level 6 

Backward crossover both directions - executed slowly. | Backwards outside edges both feet, on a circle for a minimum of 5 seconds. | Backward inside edges - both feet on a circle for aminimum of 5 seconds. | Forward inside 3-turn - both directions. | Stepping from backward outside to forward outside - 3 seconds on forward glide. 

 

• Level 7 

Forward outside 3-turn with control & equal entry & exit edge plus backward crossover (both directions). | Forward outside continuous edges - minimum of 4 (2 each foot). | forward inside continuous edges - minimum of 4 (2 each foot). | Forward inside mohwak - both directions. | Bunnyhop + drag combo or two-foot jump + drag combo (hockey skates) bunnyhop + drag combo.

 

• Level 8

Backward outside or inside continuous curves. | Forward change of edge outside to inside - both feet - with outside edge swing. | Forward inside mohwak, back crossover, step forward on to an inside edge - both directions. | Forward crossover, step wide & backward crossover step wide. | Forward outside 3-turn, backward crossover with sustained landing position on a circle - both directions.

• Bronze free skating

Three/waltz Jump. | Single Salchow. | Upright spin (minimum 2 revolutions). | Forward sporal (Any foot/pattern). | Backward inside pivot movement (both directions). | Forward perimeter stroking (correct technique).

 

• Silver free skating

Toe loop. | Back spin (minimum 1 revolution). | Forward spiral - either edge/foot. | Forward inside pivot movement - both directions. | Skating exercise - serpentine forward inside mohawk, landing position, forward crossover. | Forward outisde curves.

 

• Gold free skating

Loop jump. | Upright spin - minimum 5 revolutions - correct entry/exit. | Backward spirak - either edge/foot. | Simple step sequence.

 

• Power Skate Level 1

Forward stride. | Two foot stop. | Skating Agility 1. | Skating circles forward. | Advanced forward slalom.

 

• Power Skate Level 2

Knee drops. | Quick feet straight crossovers. | Skating circles backwards. | Power start and stop forwards.

After completing all BIS levels up to Gold, you can continue your progress with our Learn to Skate Academy lessons. Please note this will require a membership upgrade. The membership will also include access to Patch Training Ice sessions. 

 

• Advance Free Skating (Figure Platinum)

Flip jump. | Sit or camel spin - minimum 2 revolutions. | Routine.