Crowsnest Pass Skating Club grows as more beginners hit the ice

Pre-Can and CanSkate programs focus on fun, fundamentals and affordability for local families

Registration is rising at the Crowsnest Pass Skating Club as its learn to skate programs welcome everyone from preschool beginners to teenagers and international students, with a renewed push to show how CanSkate footwork supports both figure skating and hockey.

Club president Sarah Thompson said this season’s enrolment is already strong across four skill-based groups rather than traditional age divisions.

“Our registration numbers are up this year. Our programs are based on skill, not age, so we have a variety of ages in four different groups,” Thompson said.

At the entry level, Pre CanSkate is designed for the youngest skaters who are still finding their balance on the ice.

“Pre CanSkate starts at age three, which is the youngest we will take generally. This program is for young children who cannot stand on the ice, move forward, and recover from a fall independently,” Thompson said. “This program focuses on instructing kids on the eight basic skating skills found at this beginner level. These are balancing, falling and getting back up, moving forwards, moving backwards, making snow, twisting, turning, and jumping. If skaters can reach the standard for these eight skills, they can begin to learn the skills taught in CanSkate.”

CanSkate itself is open to a wide age range and is built around progression through six levels, like swimming lessons.

“CanSkate usually starts at five years old to 99 years old. Some of our Pre CanSkaters move up to CanSkate prior to turning five based on how quickly they progress. Beginners five years old and up typically start at this level. This year we have CanSkaters from age four to age 17, including three international students this year,” Thompson said.

“CanSkate has six different levels that skaters progress through. Think swimming lessons. CanSkate is Skate Canada’s flagship learn to skate program, designed for beginners of all ages. When you sign up for CanSkate, you will be in a program that focuses on fun, participation, and basic skill development. Lessons are given in a group format and led by an NCCP certified professional coach. Professional coaches are assisted by trained program assistants. Skaters progress at their own rate, and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, music, and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning,” Thompson said.

So far this season, the club has 29 Pre CanSkate skaters and CanSkate skaters registered, along with 20 Junior and Senior Star skaters who have moved beyond the basic levels. Once a skater reaches at least CanSkate Level 5, they can enter the club’s figure skating stream through Junior Star Skate, which covers CanSkate Level 5 to Star 3, and Senior Star Skate, which spans Star 3 or 4 up to Gold.

When it comes to testing, competitions, and shows, skaters are evaluated throughout the season, with assessments recorded through Skate Canada.

“Skaters receive testing throughout the season as determined by our professional coaches. Once the coaches determine that a skater is ready for testing, they will evaluate them and a ‘report card’ is entered with Skate Canada and sent home for parents,” Thompson said.

Once the star skaters reach a certain level, they will need to be ‘High Tested’. 

“On High Test days, we bring a Skate Canada judge in to do the evaluations. We have two high test days lined up for our Seniors this year. One on Saturday, Dec. 20, and one on Saturday, March 28. These will take place at our rink during the afternoon,” said Thompson.

Families can also look forward to a Christmas showcase for relatives and friends on Sunday, Dec. 21, and a full Ice-Skating Carnival for the public on Saturday, March 7.

“We also have our Juniors and Seniors going to competitions Nov. 29 in Lethbridge, Jan. 16 to 18 in Kimberley, Feb. 20 to 22 in Lethbridge and possibly being invited to the Championships in Calgary March 20 to 21,” she said.

Regarding coaching, ice times, and support for new skaters, Thompson said the club benefits from experienced professional coaches who follow the national Skate Canada curriculum.

“Our coaches are trained NCCP Skate Canada coaches. Coaching is their career. We are very lucky to have this caliber of coaching available to CNP families,” she said. “All of our training is laid out by Skate Canada. When you join our club, you are joining Skate Canada.”

Ice time remains a challenge as more user groups share the local arenas. The club had hoped to run a Power Skate program this season but could not secure enough hours. Even so, the schedule offers options for busy families, with Pre CanSkate and CanSkate running Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings and Star Skate on the ice three days a week. “Pre CanSkate and CanSkate run Wednesday evening and Sunday mornings. Participants can register for both days or can register for just one day a week. Star Skate skates three days a week; Wednesday evenings, Friday afternoons, and Sunday mornings,” Thompson said.

To help newcomers decide if the sport is a good fit, the club offers a short trial option rather than asking for a full season commitment up front.

“For those new to skating, we offer a trial of four lessons they can sign up for, and if they decide to stay, that fee is deducted from the registration fee,” Thompson said.

To keep costs manageable, the club aims to keep its entry level programs as accessible as possible by limiting required equipment and avoiding travel for younger skaters.

“The only equipment needed to join Pre CanSkate or CanSkate is a pair of skates and a hockey helmet, and the club does have some we can rent out. Pre CanSkate and CanSkate also do not travel out of town, so that helps keep costs down for those groups,” Thompson said. Ice and coaching fees are expensive, so they subsidize registration fees with fundraising. 

“Our biggest fundraiser is our 50/50 draw which our participants are required to sell. So, if you see families selling skating 50/50 tickets, please help support them. They are only $10 each and the minimum winning amount is $5000. The draw is March 1, 2026,” said Thompson.

They also have the bin at the bottle depot for the whole month of November with a bottle drive coming up Nov. 22. “If anyone has bottles to donate, please reach out to the club for pickup or take them to the depot and put them in the bin,” she added.

Regarding registration and important dates to remember, families can learn more about the programs online or by visiting the club at the rink during CanSkate times.

“All of our information, including our registration link, is on our website www.crowsnestpassskatingclub.com or come to the rink Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. or Sunday’s at 10:30 a.m. to see what CanSkate is all about. We take registrations until the end of January,” Thompson said. “Don’t forget to mark our Ice Show Carnival on your calendar for the afternoon of Saturday, March 7. It will be a fantastic show!”

The club is also building ties with the local junior hockey team. Recently, the Crowsnest Crush joined a Pre CanSkate and CanSkate bring a friend night, skating with younger participants and then sharing the ice with Senior skaters.

“We recently had the Crush come to our Pre CanSkate and CanSkate bring a friend night, and we all had a blast. Thank you to the Crush for coming out. They were amazed at what our coaches’ skills are and stayed to skate with our Seniors that night as well, who I think gave them some knowledge that figure skating is not as easy as they make it look,” she said.

Thompson added that the club wants families to know the programs support more than figure skating alone.

“Pre CanSkate and CanSkate lessons are for beginners of all ages, as well as those wishing to improve their basic skills for figure skating, hockey, or for fun,” she said. “I would like to stress that CanSkate is a great start to or supplement to hockey. The footwork that is learned in CanSkate is a very valuable skill for hockey.”

More information is available at the group’s website, crowsnestpassskatingclub.com.