Ages 3 to 5

Ice Explorers (ages 2.5 to 4)

ICE EXPLORERS is designed to help preschool-age children develop the preliminary coordination and strength necessary to maneuver on skates and educate new to skating parents about the sport. We begin off-ice and gradually get accustomed to wearing skates and then by week 5 skaters will be on the ice. Upon graduation from this program skaters should feel comfortable being on skates, and be prepared to move on to Snowplow Sam or Little Toros.

Ice Explorers Curriculum

ICE EXPLORERS follows Learn to Skate USA, US Figure Skating Association & USA Hockey guidelines. We incorporate lots of fun and games.  (Due to the young age of the children, parent or guardian must remain at the rink for entire class time and should participate with the skater in the program.)

Upon completion of the Ice Explorers, the skater will advance to Snowplow Sam 1 at the discretion of the coach.

When Do the Ice Explorers Meet?

The Pelham Skate School ICE EXPLORERS will meet on Monday nights from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, or Wednesday or Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Parents should plan on being present for the entire session. Ice Explorers do not get on the Ice until week 5 of the program.

What Will We Do in Ice Explorers?

  • Facility Introduction: Objective: Create a comfortable rink feel for the skater and family. We will walk skaters and parents through key locations of your facility. Each week we will meet more individuals who work in the facility and learn what they do. Ice Explorers will have their passports stamped as they visit new places each week. We will also do a Where in the Facility is Snowplow Sam Activity to review key locations.
  •  Fall, Sit, and Stand: Objective: Learn to safely and properly fall, sit, and stand. We will first practice this skill off-ice in street shoes, progress to off-ice in skates, and finally by week 5 we will practice this skill on-ice.
  •  Marching Forwards and Backwards, Dips, Hopping, Turning, Side Steps, Balancing on One Foot, Two-Foot Glide, Backwards Wiggles: Objective: Learn the various moves required to maneuver on skates first in street shoes, then in skates off ice, and finally by week 5 we will progress to learning these moves on the ice. 
  •  Introduction to Skates: Objective: Hold and feel skates with guards on. Learn the parts of the skate and how each part works. Learning how to tie skates properly. Parents and skaters will learn how to tie skates.
  •  Learn about Teaching Tools and Toys: Objective: Familiarize skaters with the toys and tools we use on ice and educate parents about why we use them.
  •  Coloring Activities and fun songs: Objective: Skaters have fun coloring, singing, and learning essential off ice exercises in the form of fun songs and activities while learning more about skating and parents get concurrent education and have the opportunity to ask questions.

How Do You Register?

Sign up for the Pelham Skate School ICE EXPLORERS Program by signing into your ActiveNet account and searching for ICE EXPLORERS under Activities. Each 9-week session is $79.00.  Skaters who have a sibling registered in another program will receive 10% off. Skaters will receive 9 complimentary Public Skate Sessions upon graduation. 


Snowplow Sam (ages 4 - 5)

The Snowplow Sam levels are designed to help the skater ages 4 to 5 develop preliminary coordination and strength to maneuver on the ice. Snowplow Sam is a big, fuzzy polar bear who loves to skate. The levels are offered in 9-week sessions for $136 per skater.

Upon completion of the Snowplow Sam 4, the skater will advance to Basic 1 or Basic 2 at the discretion of the coach.

Sessions

Discover, Learn and Play: Introductory levels allow new skaters with no prior skating experience to build confidence while learning to skate. Figure skates are recommended. Children in hockey skates must wear a hockey helmet with a faceguard.

Snowplow Sam 1: Beginners with no previous instruction or experience are introduced to basic skills including falling, standing, marching, and basic gliding. On-ice and off-ice instruction are used to build confidence.

Snowplow Sam 2: Skaters learn moving dips, basic gliding, backward wiggles, forward swizzles, beginning snowplow stop motion, and two-foot hops in place.

Snowplow Sam 3: Skaters learn forward skating (8 –10 steps), forward one-foot glide, forward swizzles, backward two-foot glide, backward swizzles, moving forward snowplow stop, and curves.  From Snowplow Sam 3, the skater can advance to Basic 2 or Hockey 2 or progress to level 4.

Snowplow Sam 4: Skaters learn forward skating, advanced one-foot glide, backwards swizzles, rocking horse, two-foot turns in place, and two-foot hops in place.