Welcome to Skate School!

Join our Learn to Skate Classes! These classes are designed to give skaters a strong foundation in skating while learning in a safe environment! Our classes will prep skaters so they can pursue figure skating, competitive figure skating or hockey! 

Classes are for skaters ages 2-12 years old! 

REGISTERING FOR CLASSES 

*Please register ahead of time for the entire session. Simply click on the link for the class that you want.

*Once a class fills, the link will be taken down.

*Drop In classes may be available once the session starts and there are open spots. A link will be available on this page for the open spots that are available for drop-ins after the Jan 4th session begins! Drop In Classes are $23 apiece and limited days and spots may be available.

REGISTRATION FEES:

For an 8 week session of classes, the fee is $144 ($18/class).

If you have already paid the membership fee, you will receive a discount code to forfeit that fee after you have paid it once.

Skaters new to our program are required to pay the $25 membership fee to receive Learn to Skate USA insurance.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR CLASS FEE:

Sundays Only: A 30 min Warm-Up Class from 12:00-12:30 pm (this is optional, but any skater is welcome to attend and Aspire skaters should definitely attend!

30 min Lesson at the time you select

30 min of Practice Time in the practice end either before or after your class (the practice time will be sent out in the Welcome Email).

Your Learn to Skate USA membership. This gives skater’s insurance and allows them to earn badges when they pass skating levels! (This is the $25 sign up fee that only needs to be paid once per year).

CLASS LEVELS

Our program follows the Learn to Skate USA curriculum! The curriculum is designed to teach skaters progressively with a focus on developing high quality edges. 

Skaters in each time slot will be split into smaller classes. The Learn to Skate USA classes that we will split skaters into include: 

Ice Explorers- for skaters 2 years old

This is a very two year old-orientated class that gives these little ones an introduction to skates, wearing skates, being on the ice, playing on the ice and starting the very basic skills on and off the ice (i.e. falling down, standing up, dips) with toys and games.

 Snowplow Sam- for skaters ages 3-6 years old

 These classes foster the ABC’s of skating (agility, balance and coordination) while teaching strength and independence on the ice.

 These classes include games and toys to help make the classes more engaging and fun for skaters at this age level. 

There are four levels inside the Snowplow Sam group (Snowplow Sam 1, 2, 3, 4). The skills overlap at these levels and on skater’s name tag and class card or online profile it will detail the exact level your skater is at so they can earn badges.

Basic Skills- for skaters 7-12 years old 

 These levels teach the FUNdamentals of ice skating so skaters can feel confident and learn faster than the younger age group.  

 The focus of these classes is to learn proper skill development while having fun and learning agility, balance, coordination and strength on the ice. 

 There are six levels inside the Basic Skills group (Basic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). The skills overlap and are progressive so on the skater’s name and class card or online profile it will detail the exact level your skater is at so they can earn badges. 

CLASS LOCATION

Classes take place at the St. Thomas Ice Arena 950 Mendota Heights Rd Mendota Heights, MN 55120.

TESTING

Skaters will be evaluated to see if they earn a badge halfway through the session and at the end of the session. We will always teach new skills to skaters to keep them challenged even if they have not formally passed the test yet!

MY STUDIO APP 

My Studio is the app we use to purchase classes and for resources for families.

To download the app, simply go to the app store, and search “My Studio App” (it’s in green) and download it. 

You have to use your email, Facebook or Google log in to sign in. 

Our studio code is “Premier”. 

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING

*All skaters must provide their own skates! There are no rental skates available or skates to purchase. Please look under “Resources” in the app for info on where to purchase skates and what to look for in good quality skates. 

It is HIGHLY recommended that any skater new to ice skating begins in good quality, leather figure skates. These skates are the most supportive and the easiest for skaters to balance in. Skaters can always switch hockey skates or high quality figure skates once they are comfortable with the basics in skating. 

DO NOT WEAR: Double runner blades or adjustable skates. Skaters will have a hard time balancing in them or it will not help them learn proper skills!

*Helmet! Helmets are highly recommended for skaters unstable on their feet. Bike, scooter and hockey helmets all work. 

*Mittens or Gloves

*Warm clothes that are easy to move in. Athletic clothes and a winter jacket are great clothes for skating in. 

*Skaters who fall down a lot can wear snow pants! 

*You should also bring a soft towel to dry off your skates when you are done skating so rust does not form on your skates. 

MAKE-UP CLASSES 

**Beginning January 2026- at the beginning of the session, skaters will receive one “Make-Up Class Pass.” You may use it to make-up one missed class throughout the session. If your skater misses more than one class throughout the session, then they just forfeit the missed classes. This Make-Up Class Pass is a courtesy we offer skate school participants.

At the end of the session, all classes expire.

REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS 

Once you have purchased a session of classes or any drop in classes, no refunds will be issued. 

The only time classes will be cancelled is if the rink itself is shut down (i.e. a power outage). This occurs so infrequently that we will contact families about how that will be handled IF this type of event ever occurs. 

ON ICE SAFETY RULES

By taking skating classes with us, families are agreeing to honor the following: 

-All spectators will sit in the bleachers. 

-Only Skate School coaches are allowed in the the hockey boxes. 

-No one is allowed to walk on the ice with their shoes on. 

-Skaters cannot be chewing gum or eating anything while skating. 

-Skaters should use the restroom before attending class. A parent will be waved down in the bleachers to take their child to the restroom if the skater needs to leave class for a bathroom break. 

-If you are running late to class, skaters should skate to class on their own, or should wait by the door until a coach or helper can assist them. 

-No hockey sticks or other objects in the practice end. 

-Only skate school participants in the practice end. No guest skaters in the practice end (this includes parents and other children not enrolled in skate school classes).  

-Skaters must skate at reasonable speeds in the practice end, cannot crash into the wall and must interact with other skaters in a safe manner. 

We use the My Studio app for registrations. To download the app, simply go to the app store and download the “My Studio” app that is in green. Type in the studio code “Premier” (no quotation marks), and all of our classes will pop up.

All skaters must provide their own skates for classes!

It is highly recommended for beginner skaters to wear a leather figure skate to start skating! The blade is flatter so it helps kids balance sooner! Then it’s easier to transition to a hockey skate when the skater can stop, skate backwards & balance on one foot!

Skaters can wear whatever skate they choose to class, and when you are looking for a good pair of skates make sure the blade has no rust, the ankles are supportive, and that they are single blade skates!

There is a lot more info on skates, where to buy them and what to look for in good skates in our Resource page in our My Studio app!

This depends upon the skater, and their development, but most levels take about 8 classes to pass, especially Snowplow Sam 1 & 2 and also Basic 1, 2, and 3!

Snowplow Sam 3 & 4, Basic 4, 5 and 6 and Hockey and Figure Skating classes all take longer than 8 classes to pass, but that is because these skills are harder so they just simply take more time to learn. And that is okay! We want skaters to learn high quality basic skills so they can continue to progress in skating without backtracking!

Do parent’s need to be on the ice during classes?

Not at all! To ensure skaters are focusing on their teachers and are learning to skate independently, parents are asked to remain in the bleachers during classes.

What is the Practice End?

This is a portion of the ice we have blocked off during skate school on Sundays for skaters to practice ice skating before or after their class. Skaters who are enrolled in Sunday classes can skate in the practice end anytime between 12:40-2:10 pm.

How Does My Skater Do More with Figure Skating?

Because figure skating is an individual sport, every skater has different needs. Please email info@premierskatingacademy.com or call 715-410-1460 about your skater, and we can help you find your right path in figure skating!