Believe it or not, it’s actually ice skating season. Some ice rinks have started their fall programs already and others will being after Thanksgiving. All of them let you start up at any time. The benefit to starting skating lessons mid-season is that most of them are pro-rated so you don’t have to invest in a whole semester and some rinks are even having deals. Most ice rinks have “Learn To Skate” programs that allow your child to start at age 3 years. At the Ice House in NJ, you and your child can learn together on the ice when your babe is a mere 2 years old. If your child is age 6 years or above, kids generally begin a “Basic Skills” program with testing to advance to new levels. After that, they begin the Freestyle Program which goes up to Level 6. I personally recommend starting a new skater at an indoor arena. You eliminate weather as a factor. If you want to buy used skates, check our post here about where to get them. You might also try Craig’s List. For new skaters, I recommend purchasing figure skates only. There are “starter” skates that you can buy at various skate stores, notably Wonderland Sports at Chelsea Piers. These skates have even a thicker blade than regular figure skates and have the added advantage of three velcro enclosures rather than the traditional lace-ups. Hockey skates are incredibly difficult for new skaters. Their rounded blades cause new skaters to rock back and forth so they can’t even get their initial balance. (If you are wondering why I am so into all this- I used to competitively skate and teach:))
Aviator Sports and Events (INDOORS)
http://www.aviatorsports.com
3159 Flatbush Ave , just south of Belt Parkway (Exit 11S,
Brooklyn, NY 11234
General info (skating prices/reservations): 718-758-7500
Director Slava: 718-758-7514
The rink: Aviator Sports is a mammoth event space. It has twin NHL regulation (200’ x 85’) sheets of ice, an enormous gym, basketball courts, fitness rooms, climbing walls, video games, restaurant, euro bungie, fields and games. The ice rinks are efficiently run. Make sure you check in at general admissions for paying both admission and skate rental fees for the ice rink. You can’t do it at the rink itself which is about 200 yards away. The rink is brightly lit with huge hip-height to ceiling windows with a skate rental shop. Lockers are free, but bring your own padlock. I rented skates here: cushy but they weren’t sharpened well.
The program: The Aviator Ice Academy has a “Learn To Skate” program that take place on one of their two NHL regulation size ice rink indoors. Skaters aged 3-5 start in the Snowplow Sam program, a program designed to prepare younger skaters for the regular Basic Skills classes. In the Basic Skills classes which begin for children at age 6 years, the skaters will be tested and evaluated so that the child can progress to the next level. They have a rolling registration, and do not prorate classes. You can register at any point and the fee will entitle you to 10 weeks of classes, no matter at which point in a semester your child begins. The winter session began the week of Nov. 29 and will end the week of Feb. 14. When the winter session ends, the spring session will begin just shortly thereafter. Weekday classes (1/2 hour) are $200.00 for 10 sessions. The weekend classes are 1 hour long which consist of ½ of instruction and ½ hr of practice for $250.00 for 10 weeks. After lessons you can attend free public skating that day. There is more to do after your skating lesson. You can play video games, visit the “babysitting room” that has equipment for little ones (free), watch gymnastics in one of their two huge gyms, take a fitness class, watch basketball or go rock climbing, euro bungee, flight simulator, and try a drop-in sport.
Personal Experience: I like going to Aviator. The location is easily accessible via Flatbush Ave. Jacob Riis beach, which we love in the summer, is close by. The former aviation field has huge hangers which house the Sports Center and has numerous fields for outdoor sports. There is a brightly colored propellor plane which is a nod to its former residents and a fun greeting for the children. Parking is free and easy to find. There is a bus that goes out there too. We have taken it only to Jacob Riis beach which is a 45 minute ride. We have our 3.5 year old son enrolled in the ice skating classes called, “Snowplow Sams”. The first lessons are about falling properly and getting up. All toddlers are required to wear a helmet and the teachers are diligent about safety. The teacher/student ratio is sufficient so the students all get individual attention. Last week with around 12 students there were 4 instructors. The students are grouped by age and skill level. My conclusion after 15 weeks of classes: I felt like the less skilled skaters got more attention and they didn’t push our son enough as he got better. I also didn’t like that there wasn’t one head teacher that was running the class. That changes as the children move up in levels, but I felt that the lack of a central teacher meant the class wasn’t focused enough. There are other skating classes going on simultaneously and the advantage of that is that students get to see what they can learn in the future. We chose to enroll in the hour long lessons (1/2 hour instruction and 1/2 hour practice). We stay for the ½ hour skate and skate with the other students and parents. It’s really fun and somewhat less crowded than the other public skating times. However, there doesn’t seem to be any enforcement to it as a separate practice time and so people can and do enter the rink for public skating early. Unfortunately, that means you can have hockey skaters whizzing dangerously by novice skaters and figure skaters trying to practice their jumps. There are instructors skating around and if you aren’t intimidated, you can ask for some quick instructions.
Cost breakdown: $20 per half hour lesson
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults: $8.00
Children: $6.00
Skate Rentals: $5.00/pair
Battery Park City on Ice (OUTDOORS)
www.batteryparkcityice.com/
235 Murray St (corner of West)
New York, NY 10280
(888) 727-5423
The rink: This brand-new 200 x 85 foot rink (NHL size) was made in the Netherlands, and is open 7 days a week. It has a 3-meter-wide skating path that breaks off from the rink and meander around the northern part of the venue. It is installed in the baseball fields at Battery Park. Enter at West Street. Their skate rental shop and organic cafe are in a large tent.
The program: Classes are available starting at age 3 years. The 3 years start in a Parent and Me Class and then at age 4 they begin group kid lessons. The skating school offers group lessons at $99 for a 4 week program. program (discounts available for Battery Park City residents
Cost breakdown: $24.74 per half hour lesson
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults and Children: $10
Skate Rentals: $3
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink (INDOOR)
http://www.chelseapiers.com/sr01.htm61
23rd St. & the Hudson River
New York, NY 10011
212-336-6100
Skating School at 212.336.6100, ext. 6158 or 6152.
The rink: Chelsea Piers is an enormous sports arenas with basketball courts, driving range and golf shop, boat rentals, gym, tot play space, horse arena and of course, the sky rink which consists of 2 ice rinks (East and West) and an excellent (though small) skate shop where you can buy skates and equipment. There are both men’s and women’s club rooms with lockers, bathrooms and shower facilities. You can also use the lockers next to the rinks.
The program: Sky Rink offers classes for children 3 to 5 years old. Classes are Monday through Friday, and consist of on-ice and off-ice instruction. New classes start every week but the minimum registration is 4 weeks. Advance payment is necessary to reserve a space in class. Costa per class: $35 or you can register for 12 classes for $385. All are ½ hour classes and come with free public skating that day. The lessons also include practice time afterward which include 1 parent free admission and comp skates for child aged 5 years and younger. Class sizes are small with between 4 and 6 students per class.
Personal Experience: No question about it- Chelsea Piers is a bit discombobulating and overwhelming. Which pier, which elevator, which field house? However, once you get the hang of where your destination is, you will feel more comfortable. Parking at Chelsea Piers can be expensive. We paid $22 for 3 hours. The price jumps to $36 when you stay for 4 hours. The experience inside is pleasant though chaotic on the weekends. The skate shop inside is tiny but well serviced with personnel who know skates, sharpening and fitting. They are very busy on the weekend so plan a longer wait for skates and sharpening. The view from the 2 rinks is lovely. You look over the Hudson river and truly feel like you are in “the sky”. The small café serves typical fast food fare, but there is a nicer restaurant downstairs on the water. Of course there are plenty of other activities at Chelsea Piers: The Toddler Center (small, but nicely equipped playroom), watch gymnastics, the boats, golf, etc. My biggest complaint about Chelsea Piers- it’s a long hike (subway and bus) to get there in the winter with kids and expensive to park there ($20).
Cost breakdown: $32 per half hour lesson
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adult: $13.00
Youth & Senior: $10.50
Skate Rental: $7.50
Helmet Rental: $4.00
City Ice Pavilion (INDOOR)
cityicepavilion.com
4732 32nd Place
Long Island City, NY
718-706-6667
The rink: This ice rink opened in the fall of 2009 so it is brand-new. It is New York’s only roof-top skating facility. If you have a car, they have free, covered parking. Otherwise, they have transportation service, with central pick-ups (in Manhattan), and home drop-off. The 7 train to 33rd St- Rawson St. Station is 1.5 blocks from the rink.
The program: 30 minutes of group instruction each week and Free skate rental. Free admission to the public session on the day of the Skater’s scheduled class. Skaters receive a written evaluation of their progress at the end of the semester.
U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Membership. Cost for 8 week semester: $210
Cost breakdown: $26.25 per half hour lesson.
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults and Children: $5 Monday – Thursday, $8 Friday – Sunday
Skate Rental: $5
Ice House New Jersey (INDOOR)
http://www.icehousenj.com/
111 Midtown Bridge Approach
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-487-8444
The rink: With four (4) regulation size NHL rinks, Ice House is the largest facility of its kind in the Tri-State area. Located on two levels with a full view of the rinks, they have a food court, Starbucks coffee bar, an arcade room, and meeting rooms. Ice House operates one of the largest full service hockey and Skating Pro Shops in the New York-New Jersey area. Ice House sent 9 skaters to the 2002 Olympics including gold medalists Sarah Hughes, Elena Bereznaia and Anton Sikharulidze. Other skaters including Tara Lipinski, Oksana Baiul, and Sasha Cohen make Ice House their local training facility.
The program: The Ice House Learn To Skate (“LTS”) program is ranked among the 10 best programs in the entire country by the United States Figure Skating Association. Tots can start as young at 2 years old in a Parent/Tot class. The class includes one half hour of instruction, one half hour of practice. Maximum class size is 12-16 per class. In the Parent/Tots class, parents can learn how to skate too. Group lessons are 9 weeks for $160. The class includes a $1 off coupon for skate rental and public skating admission.
Cost breakdown: $17.77 per half hour class.
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults: $9.00
Children (11 & Under) & Senior Citizens $7.00
Skate Rental $4.00
Lasker Rink (OUTDOOR)- CENTRAL PARK
Enter the Park at 110th and Lenox Avenue. The rink is btw. 106th and 108th Streets.
917-492-3856 ex 17 or 212-534-7639 or 917-701-9492
The rink: I love this outdoor rink. It feels more hidden than Central Park’s Wollman and it feels larger to me (whether that is true or not I don’t know!). My friends’ kids grew up on this ice and they say the ice is consistently well kept. This might be the best park location for new skaters for both Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The program: Each Learn to Skate class meets for 30 minutes of instruction with practice time available after each class. Winter Semester: January 9 to March 14, 2010 (10 weeks) = $300.00
Cost breakdown: $30 per half hour class.
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults: $6.25
Youths: $3.50
Seniors: $2.25
Skate Rentals: $5.50
Lock Rental: $3.25
The Pond at Bryant Park (OUTDOOR)
http://www.thepondatbryantpark.com/
Bryant Park between 40th and 42nd St and 5th and 6th Ave.
New York, NY
Reserve a lesson time by calling 212-764-6247.
The rink: The Pond, a 170’ 100’ rink is in a beautiful locale with free ice skating, skating shows, snacks or a dinner. The rink is, unsurprisingly, very crowded. After all, it is the only place to skate for free in NY. There are free lockers but bring your own padlock or buy one for $9 there. If you need your skates resharpened or a pair to rent, you can do that easily in the Skating Pavillion. Subway: take the F, V, B, or D train to 42nd Street/Bryant Park
The program: All lessons are 30 minutes. Semi-private and group lesson prices represent the total cost, not a per person charge. Skate rentals are not included. Private Lessons: $45, Semi-private Lesson (2-3 students): $60, Group Lesson (4-8 students): $75
Cost breakdown: $9.30 (potentially, although you would have to get another 7 students to commit to get that price).
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults and Children: Free
Skate Rentals: $12
Pond VIP Fastpass: $19 (allows you to skip the line)*
The Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink (OUTDOOR)
www.therinkatrockcenter.com
601 5th Avenue
New York, NY
212-332-7654
The rink: This rink is one of the most crowded ones in NYC. However, it is worth a spin once in your life. It is fairly small and probably not the best place to begin skating lessons for a tot since there is such a spectacle involved with skating there, but for a one time shot, it could be fine.
The program: The rink only offers private and semi-private (2 students) lesson. They teach ages 5 years and up. Private ice skating lesson: $30 per half hour on M-Fri. Sat and Sun is $35 per hour. Includes ice skating for the rest of the day and not ice skating rentals.
Cost breakdown: $30 per half hour.
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults: Mon – Thur $12 AND Fri – Sun $16
Children: Mon – Thur $ 7.50 ( 11 & under ) AND Fri – Sun $8.50
Mon-Thurs:(11:30-1 pm) Lunchtime skating: $5
Skate rental: $8
Wollman Rink– Prospect Park (OUTDOOR) CLOSED
prospectpark.org
95 Prospect Park W
Brooklyn, NY
718-282-7789
Skating school: 718-282-1226.
Wollman Ice Skating Rink (OUTDOOR)- CENTRAL PARK
wollmanskatingrink.com
830 5th Avenue, New York, NY (enter at 59th Street)
212-439-6900
The rink: Wollman Skating Rink is a public ice rink in the southern part of Central Park, Manhattan. The rink was opened in 1949 with funds donated by Kate Wollman. Historically, the rink has been open for ice skating from October to April and in the summer seasons is transformed into a venue for other purposes. The skating rink is beautifully situated in the park and is a must-do for a skater. I think the spectator fee is lame though.
The program: The Learn to Skate program starts at age 3 years. The class sizes are from 4 to 8 kids per class. If there are 8 kids there is at least one coach, sometimes two coaches. 15 classes are $480. There are current deals going on now on skating lessons, call to check. They don’t offer free skate rentals with lessons but there is free public skating afterwards.
Cost breakdown: $32 per half hour lesson.
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults: Mon – Thur $10.25 AND Fri – Sun $14.75
Children: Mon – Thur $ 5.50 ( 11 & under ) AND Fri – Sun $ 5.75
Skate Rental: $ 6.25
Lock Rental $ 4.50
Spectator Fee $ 5.00
World Ice (INDOOR)
http://www.worldice.com/
When Using a GPS- Use Home Depot Address:
13135 Avery Avenue
Flushing, NY 11355.
The rink: This indoor rink has some of the least expensive admission fees around. It doesn’t get as crowded as some of the more popular rinks, so this is a good place to go for new skaters. It isn’t as easy to get to for families though with a 7 minute walk and a bit of a trip on the subway.
The program: The World Ice Arena offers skating lessons for ages 4 through adult. 7 weeks of instruction costs $140. It includes skate rental and public skate admission on the day of your class.
Cost breakdown: $20 per half hour lesson.
Admission & Rental Fees:
Adults and Children: $5 Weekdays AND $8 Weekends
Skate Rental: $5
Lockers: $.75
Directions: Take the #7 Flushing subway to the Shea Stadium / Willets Point Station. Stay on the platform level and cross the bridge over the LIRR tracks. At the bottom of the ramp, turn 90 degrees left to a large path between tennis courts. This path turns into a sidewalk, and the World Ice Arena is a 7 minute walk along this sidewalk.