Skating Lessons
Skating lessons for all ages and abilities
Skating is a fun and exciting way to improve balance and coordination. Burnaby offers lessons on the ice at Bill Copeland Sports Centre, Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre and Kensington Complex.
New registration process for skating lessons
We are offering increased access to skating lesson registration.
- You can register for skating lessons 30 days in advance of the lesson start date at 10 am if you are a Burnaby resident, or 27 days in advance at 10 am if you are not.
- For example, if you want to sign up for skating lessons that begin on September 16, you can register on August 17 at 10 am if you live in Burnaby, or on August 20 at 10 am if you live elsewhere.
- For lessons that begin on October 21, Burnaby residents can register September 21 at 10 am and everyone else can register on September 24 at 10 am.
- Note: If you are in a current lesson set, your results will be posted by the final day of your lesson set.
- Prior to registration dates, pre-requisites/past report cards will need to be entered into your WebReg account to ensure the safety of all participants.
Visit WebReg to register. Questions? Please call your local recreation facility.
Learn more about skating lessons
3-12 years old and 13 years and up
For skaters with developmental and/or physical disabilities who haven’t yet learned to skate or for skaters who need some extra support. Children are exposed to a wide variety of skills based on their ability. This program requires completion of a Program Support Package.
2-5 years old with an adult
Our instructor will work with you and your child to develop their basic skating skills using games and activities. Children follow the Gliders program and can transition to the appropriate level when they are ready to skate independently. One parent per child. Skate and helmet rental are included in the program price.
Intro to Gliders
This class is for children new to skating. In this level, children receive a facility tour, learn about safety on ice, how to fall down and stand up, and walk on ice without assistance, along with other building blocks to progress to the next level.
Gliders 1
This class for children who can stand and walk on the ice independently. Children learn to glide ½ meter, turn on the spot and hop. Pre-requisite: Intro to Gliders or an evaluation.
Gliders 2
Children learn to skate the width of the ice, glide longer and snowplow stop. Pre-requisite: Gliders 1 or an evaluation.
Gliders 3
Children will confidently skate backward the width of the rink, become more proficient with forwards and backwards stopping and learn to one-foot glide. Pre-requisite: Gliders 2 or an evaluation.
Gliders 4
Children learn forward and backward sculling, T-pushes, backward two-foot glides and one-foot glides on a curve. Pre-requisite: Gliders 3 or an evaluation.
Gliders 5
Children develop their backwards skating skills and learn forward T-pushes and inside edges. Pre-requisite: Gliders 4 or an evaluation.
Gliders 6
This advanced level challenges the skater by introducing forward edges, backward one-foot gliding, forward circle thrusts and backward C-pushes. Pre-requisite: Gliders 5 or an evaluation.
Gliders 7
Children master forward inside edges, backward one-foot glides and backward C-pushes. Pre-requisite: Gliders 6 or an evaluation.
Blades 1
This class is for children new to skating. In this level, children learn about safety on the ice, how to fall down and stand up and walk on the ice independently forwards and backwards. Children learn 2 foot glides.
Blades 2
Children work on building confidence and speed while developing their stride. Skaters learn forward stopping, forwards sculling, backwards skating and backward stops. Pre-requisite: Blades 1 or an evaluation.
Blades 3
Children work on mastering stopping forwards and backwards. Skaters learn backwards sculling and backwards one foot glides. Pre-requisite: Blades 2 or an evaluation.
Blades 4
Children continue to develop stopping skills and learn T-pushes, inside edges, forward pumping and backwards one foot glide. Pre-requisite: Blades 3 or an evaluation.
Blades 5
Children learn forward circle thrusts, walking crossovers, two-foot turns, backward one-foot glides, and backwards pumping. Skaters continue to work on their forward inside and outside edges. Pre-requisite: Blades 4 or an evaluation.
Blades 6
Children learn backwards circle thrust, forward inside edges, side-stops, backward inside edges and two-foot jumps. Pre-requisite: Blades 5 or an evaluation.
Blades 7
Children learn forward crossovers, backwards c-steps, backwards outside edges and 3-turns. Pre-requisite: Blades 6 or an evaluation.
Blades 8
Children learn forward c-steps, backward crossovers, waltz jump, forward two-foot skiing. Skaters explore basic hockey and figure skating skills. Pre-requisite: Blades 7 or an evaluation.
Level 1
This level is for absolute beginners and those who can walk to glide. Learn how to safely fall down and stand up. Skaters are introduced to stopping, gliding and turning.
Level 2
Learn sculling, backwards skating and backwards glides. Advanced skaters will progress to cross-overs and direction changes. Pre-requisite: Teen Level 1 or an evaluation.
Level 1
This level is for absolute beginners and those who can walk to glide. Learn how to safely fall down and stand up, walk on the ice without assistance and are introduced to stopping, gliding and sculling.
Level 2
Learn sculling, backwards skating and backwards glides. Advanced skaters will progress to cross-overs and direction changes. Pre-requisite: Adult Level 1 or an evaluation.
Intro To Figure Skating (6-12 years old)
This introductory class offers a chance to learn figure skating skills. Skills are taught based on the skaters' needs and abilities. Pre-requisite: Blades 8 or an evaluation
Intro To Figure Skating (13-17 years old)
This introductory class offers a chance to learn figure skating skills. Skills are taught based on the skaters' needs and abilities. Pre-requisite: Blades 8 or an evaluation
Intro To Hockey (4-6 years old)
This exciting class introduces the fundamentals of ice hockey while improving skating speed, balance and control. Stick-handling, shooting, passing and drills will be incorporated to make sessions challenging and fun. A CSA approved helmet with face cage, hockey gloves and a stick are required. (Full hockey equipment is optional). Pre-requisite: Gliders 2
Intro To Hockey (6-12 years old)
This exciting class introduces the fundamentals of ice hockey while improving skating speed, balance and control. Stick-handling, shooting, passing and drills will be incorporated to make sessions challenging and fun. A CSA approved helmet with face cage, hockey gloves and a stick are required. (Full hockey equipment is optional). Pre-requisite: Gliders 2 and Blades 1.
Power Skating (11-16 years old)
Designed for those who want to improve their speed, agility, power and control. This course includes explosive acceleration, speed, skating efficiency, lengthening your stride, high velocity turns and pivots, driving to the net, explosive starts and dexterity. A CSA-approved hockey helmet and full hockey equipment are mandatory for all participants. Please bring your own stick. Skaters must be able to proficiently skate forwards and backwards, stop and turn in all directions. Mastery of forward and backward inside and outside edges is required.
Power Skating (16+ year old)
Designed for those who want to improve their speed, agility, power and control. This course includes explosive acceleration, speed, skating efficiency, lengthening your stride, high velocity turns and pivots, driving to the net, explosive starts and dexterity. A CSA-approved hockey helmet and full hockey equipment are mandatory for all participants. Please bring your own stick. Skaters must be able to proficiently skate forwards and backwards. It is recommended that skaters can stop and turn in all directions and are able to use inside and outside edges in both directions.
If you have taken skating lessons at a different arena in a different city, please email a copy of your child’s last report card to: [email protected]
To ensure correct skate level placement, please review your child's latest report card before the start of registration. Register 3-6 year-olds new to skating for Intro to Gliders.
Skating evaluations
Evaluations are non-instructional and take approximately 5 minutes to complete. The evaluation is free; however, skate rental rates apply. Helmets are required for all ages. There may be a short wait as evaluations are scheduled during lessons. Once the evaluation is complete, staff will update the skater's account with the required pre-requisites.
- Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre: Rink A on Tuesdays, 3:45-5:30 pm until December 3 and Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45 pm until December 4 (ice clean from 5:25-5:40 pm)
Prepare for your first day of skating lessons
What to wear:
- Please wear warm clothing, gloves and a CSA-Approved hockey or ski helmet. Helmet rentals are free of charge and are mandatory for City of Burnaby skating lessons.
Skate sizing:
- Please keep in mind that hockey skates will be 2 sizes smaller than your shoe size and figure skates will be one size smaller than your shoe size. Skates need to fit snug for the best experience.
- For children, take the insole out and have your child stand with their heel at the back of the insole. There should be very little insole showing in front of the toes.
- Tying skates are different than tying shoes. Skates should be tied tight and all the way to the top. If you have any questions regarding skate sizing or tying, please talk to an arena staff member.
Purchasing skates:
- Only purchase skates with laces. Avoid buckles.
- Do not purchase skates that “grow” (sizing is adjustable).
- Buy skates that are comfortable.
- New skates require sharpening before skating. We recommend that you sharpen used skates before getting on the ice.
Skate care:
- Dry skate blades after skating.
- Always unlace skates fully to put on or take off your feet.
- Use skate guards when not in use.
- Air skates out until completely dry (boot and blade).
- Sharpen skates regularly. Ask our staff if you need a sharpening!