Group Ice Skating Lesson Information

Wissahickon Skating Club is now in Club Season which runs from September 3rd through March 16th. During Club Season from September through mid-March, Club members get 1 class day/week for free during each 8 week series.  Adult Club members skate free during Club Season on Sunday evenings in the Club Adult lessons or they may “buy in” to Tuesday late afternoon, Friday evening or Saturday lessons at a discounted rate of $175/8 weeks.  Registration for Fall 2024 Group Lessons is required in advance for ALL participants on the MyWSConnect.com portal. We are not able to offer refunds or makeups for missed classes (Click here for our refund policy.)

Class Descriptions

Fall Registration is Now Open on MyWSConnect.com only
Club Season (9/3/24-3/16/25) Group Lessons Days/Times/Levels Offered:

Type Ages Levels Day/Time of Week
Tot/Snowplow Sam group lessons 3-under 6 Snowplow 1, 2, 3 & 4
Intro to the Ice*
Parent & Me*
Tuesdays 12:45-2:45 pm#
Thursdays 12:45-2:45 pm#
Tuesdays 4:40-5:40 pm
Fridays 5:55-6:55 pm
Saturdays 11:45-12:45 pm
Youth Basic Skills lessons 6-under 16 Basic 1 to Basic 6 Tuesdays 4:40-5:40 pm
Fridays 5:55-6:55 pm
Saturdays 11:45-12:45 pm
Youth Hockey Basic Skills 4-under 13 Hockey 1 to Hockey 4 Tuesdays 4:40-5:40 pm
Fridays 5:55-6:55 pm
Freestyle lessons All qualifying ages (having passed Basic 6) Pre-Freeskate, Freeskate 1 to Freeskate 6 Tuesdays 4:40-5:40 pm$
Fridays 5:55-6:55 pm$
Saturdays 11:45-12:45 pm$
Tuesdays 12:45-2:45 pm#
Thursdays 12:45-2:45 pm#
Adult lessons 16+ Adult 1 to Adult 6 Tuesdays 4:40-5:40 pm$
Tuesdays 12:45-2:45 pm#
Thursdays 12:45-2:45 pm#
Fridays 5:55-6:55 pm$
Saturdays 11:45-12:45 pm$
Sundays 7:15-8:15 pm (For club members ONLY)

* Only offered during Tues or Thurs 12:45 session
# Tot/Youth lesson time is during the 12:45-1:45 pm hour. Adult lesson time will fall during the 1:45-2:45 pm hour. Your exact lesson time will be announced on Day 1 of class; all students should show up by 15 minutes prior to that lesson-time hour the first day of class to get skates on then lineup rink-side to get exact class time for future weeks. All skaters may use the entire 1245-2:45 ice time for practice skating surrounding the lesson time.
$ Tuesday late afternoon, Friday evening and Saturday lessons not included in Club membership for Adults but are available to Club Adults for a discounted fee of $175/8 weeks

Class Start/End Dates and Skipped Weeks per Series

Fall Registration Open Now on MyWSConnect.com

Click a series headline below for more information.
Tuesday 12:45 Tuesday 4:40 pm Thursday 12:45 Friday 5:55 pm Saturday 11:45 am Sunday 7:15 pm
Starts 9/10/24 Starts 9/10/24 Starts 9/12/24 Starts 9/13/24 Starts 9/14/24 Starts 9/15/24
Ends 10/29/24 Ends 10/29/24 Ends 10/31/24 Ends 11/1/24 Ends 11/2/24 Ends 11/3/24
Tuesday 12:45 Tuesday 4:40 pm Thursday 12:45 Friday 5:55 pm Saturday 11:45 am Sunday 7:15 pm (For Club Member Adults Only)
Starts 11/5/24
No class 12/24, 12/31
Starts 11/5/24
No class 12/24, 12/31
Starts 11/7/24
No class 11/28, 12/26, 1/2
Starts 11/8/24
No class 11/29, 12/27
Starts 11/9/24
No class 11/30, 12/28
Starts 11/10/24
No class 12/1, 12/29
Ends 1/7/25 Ends 1/7/25 Ends 1/16/25 Ends 1/10/25 Ends 1/11/25 Ends 1/12/25
Tuesday 12:45 Tuesday 4:40 pm Thursday 12:45 Friday 5:55 pm Saturday 11:45 am Sunday 7:15 pm (For Club Member Adults Only)
Starts 1/21/25 Starts 1/21/25 Starts 1/23/25 Starts 1/17/25
No class 2/14
Starts 1/18/25
No class 2/15
Starts 1/19/25
No class 2/16
Ends 3/11/25 Ends 3/11/25 Ends 3/13/25 Ends 3/14/25 Ends 3/15/25 Ends 3/16/25
Tuesday 12:45 pm Thursday 12:45 pm Friday
5:55 pm
Saturday
11:45 am
Learn to Play Hockey Sundays 12:40 pm
Tots 3-under 6 and Adults 16+ Tots 3-under 6 and Adults 16+ Tots 3-under 6, Youth and Adults 16+ Tots 3-under 6, Youth and Adults 16+ Boys & Girls ages 4-12
Levels: SP1-4, Intro to the Ice & Parent & Me, Adults A1-A6 and FS1 to FS6 Levels: SP1-4, Intro to the Ice & Parent & Me, Adults A1-A6 and FS1 to FS6 Levels: SP1-4, Youth B1-B6, Youth & Adult FS1 to FS6, Youth Hockey 1-Hockey 4, Adults A1-A6 Levels: SP1-4, Youth B1-B6, Youth & Adult FS1 to FS6, Adults A1-A6 (no hockey) Must be past Basic Skills level 1 and comfortable with beginner backwards skating
Starts 3/18/25 Starts 3/20/25 Starts 3/21/25 Starts 3/22/2025 Starts 3/23/2025
Ends 5/6/25  Ends 5/8/25 Ends 5/16/25
No class 4/18
Ends 5/17/25
No class 4/19
Ends 5/18/25
No class 4/20

WSC Group Lessons Curriculum

Click a series headline below for more information.

Youth Basic Skills Curriculum (Ages 6-under 16)

The “basic skills” are the fundamentals of the sport. These six levels of the program introduce the fundamental moves: forward skating, backward skating, stops, edges, crossovers, turns and Mohawks. Upon completion of the Basic 1- 6 levels, skaters will have a basic knowledge of the sport, enabling them to advance to more specialized areas of skating.

  • Sit on ice & stand up
  • March forward across the ice
  • Forward two-foot glide
  • Dip
  • Forward swizzles – 6-8 in a row
  • Backward wiggles – 6-8 in a row
  • Snowplow stop
  • 2 Foot hop in place (optional)
  • Scooter pushes – R & L
  • Forward one foot glides – R & L
  • Backward 2 foot glide
  • Rocking Horse (1 F swizzle, 1 back swizzle, repeat twice)
  • Backward swizzles – 6 – 8 in a row
  • 2 foot turn from forward to backward in place
  • Moving snowplow stop
  • Curves
  • Beginning forward stroking showing correct use of blade
  • Forward half swizzle pumps on circle – 6 – 8 consecutive clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Moving forward to backward 2 foot turns on a circle – clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Beginning backward 1 foot glides
  • Backward snowplow stops
  • Forward slalom
  • Forward pivots
  • Forward outside edge on circle – R & L
  • Forward inside edge on a circle – R &L
  • Forward crossovers, clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Backward half swizzle pumps on circle, clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Backward 1 foot glides
  • Beginning 2 foot spin – up to two revolutions
  • Forward Lunges R & L
  • Backward outside edge on circle – R & L
  • Backward inside edge on circle- R – L
  • Backward crossovers- clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Forward outside 3 turn R & L
  • Side toe hop R & L
  • Advanced 2 foot spin 4-6 revolutions
  • Hockey stop R & L
  • Forward inside 3 turn – R & L
  • Moving backward to forward 2 foot turn on circle- clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Backward stroking
  • Beginning 1 foot spin- 2-4 revolutions w optional free leg position
  • T Stop – R & L
  • Bunny hop
  • Forward spiral on Straight line – R or L
  • Shoot the Duck – R or L

Hockey Basic Skills Curriculum

  • Falling and recovery to a balanced, standing position
  • Proper basic hockey stance (forward and backward)
  • March forward across the ice (8-10 steps)
  • Two-foot glides and dips from forward marching across the ice
  • Forward swizzles/double C-cuts (4-6 in a row)
  • T-push to a two-foot glide (hold 2-4 seconds) on a straight line, alternating feet
  • Stationary snowplow stop
  • Bonus Skill: Front to back and back to front turns (stationary) 
  • Forward strides using 45-degree V-push, focus on good recovery and alternating arm drive
  • Forward one-foot push and glide (R and L)
  • Forward C-cuts: single leg (R and L) and alternating feet (R and L) in a straight line
  • Backward hustle or march, then glide on two feet
  • Backward swizzles/double C-cuts (4-6 in a row)
  • Backward C-cuts, single leg (R and L) and alternating feet (R and L) in a straight line
  • Two-foot moving snowplow stop
  • Lateral crossover march (both directions)
  • Forward C-cuts (half-swizzle pumps) on a circle, both directions
  • Forward outside edges on half-circles (large Cs), alternating feet on the short or long axis of the rink
  • Forward inside edges on half-circles (large Cs), alternating feet on the short or long axis of the rink
  • Backward C-cuts (half-swizzle pumps) on a circle, both directions
  • Backward snowplow stops: one- and two-foot V-stop
  • One-foot moving snowplow stop (R and L), introduce 1/4 turn with hips to hockey stop
  • Quick starts using forward V-start
  • Backward one-foot glide (R and L)
  • Forward crossover glides (clockwise and counterclockwise). Hold feet in crossed position for 2 counts
  • Backward crossover glides (clockwise and counterclockwise). Hold feet in crossed position for 2 counts
  • Forward crossovers on circle, clock­wise and counterclockwise (4-6 each)
  • Backward crossovers on circle, clock­wise and counterclockwise (4-6 each)
  • Hockey stops (stopping to the left and to the right, with speed)
  • Powerful backward C-cuts
  • Forward alternating crossovers down the length of the ice, with wide step transitions (3 to left and 3 to right)
  • Backward alternating crossovers down the length of the ice, with wide step transitions (3 to left and 3 to right)
  • Forward power hockey turns/tight glide turns, 180- and 360-degree turns
  • Lateral pivots: forward to backward and backward to forward
  • Fast stops and starts using powerful, full strides and quick hockey stops (R and L)
  • Fast backward skating with quick backward V-stops (one- and two-foot stops, alternating feet)

Tot/Snow Plow Sam Curriculum (Ages 3-under 6)

Our Tots Learn To Skate Program follows the USFS “Snowplow Sam” Curriculum, which is designed for skaters ages 3-under 6. The Snowplow Sam levels are designed to help the preschool-age skater develop preliminary coordination and strength to maneuver on the ice.

  • Sit and stand up with skates – Off Ice
  • Sit and stand up with skates – On Ice
  • March in place
  • March forward – 8–10 steps
  • March, then glide on two feet
  • Dip in place
  • March followed by a long glide
  • Dip while moving
  • Backward walking, toes turned inward, shifting weight (4-6 steps)
  • Backward wiggles (six in a row)
  • Forward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
  • Beginning snowplow stop motion (in place or holding barrier)
  • Two-foot hop in place (optional)
  • Forward skating (8 – 10 strides)
  • Forward one-foot glide, 2 times the skaters height (R and L)
  • Forward swizzles (4 – 6 in a row)
  • Backward swizzles (2 – 3 in a row)
  • Moving forward snowplow stop (two foot)
  • Curves
  • Forward skating
  • Backward two-foot glide, length as skaters height
  • Backward swizzles (4 – 6 in a row)
  • Rocking horse (1 forward and 1 backward swizzle, repeat twice)
  • Two foot turns from forward to backward, in place (both directions)
  • Two foot hop, in place

Adult Curriculum (Ages 16+)

The U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills program offers an introductory skating curriculum for the adult who has never skated. It is divided into six levels in which beginner adult skaters will progress at an individual rate while being challenged and motivated. The curriculum is designed specifically to teach the adult skater the basic elements of forward, backward, turns and stops before advancing to more challenging skating moves. 

Classes May be Combined or Cancelled If Enrollment is Low

  • Falling and Recovery
  • Forward Marching
  • Forward two-foot glide
  • Forward swizzles
  • Moving Snowplow Stop
  • 2 foot turns in place
  • Glide forward on two feet and dip
  • Forward stroking
  • Forward 1⁄2 swizzle pumps on a circle
  • Forward 1 foot glides
  • Slalom
  • Forward chasses on a circle
  • Backward 2 foot glide
  • Backward wiggles
  • Backward swizzles
  •  
  • Forward outside and inside edges on a circle (clockwise and counter- clockwise)
  • Forward crossovers, (clockwise and counter- clockwise, 5 consecutive)
  • Backward 1-foot glide, right and left, one time skater’s height
  • Backward snowplow stop
  • Backward 1⁄2 swizzle pumps on a circle (4 to 6 consecutive, clockwise and counterclockwise)
  • Moving forward to back- ward & backward to forward 2 foot turn
  • Beginning 2 foot spin
  • Forward edges on circle
  • Backward edges on circle
  • Backward crossovers
  • Back chasses on circle
  • Forward outside 3-turns
  • Forward outside swing rolls
  • Inside pivots
  • Back cross to landing position
  • Forward & Backward Crossovers in Figure 8 pattern
  • Forward outside to inside change of edge on a line
  • T-stop, R or L
  • Forward inside 3 turns, R&L
  • Continuous forward progressive chasse sequence, (clockwise and counterclockwise)
  • Beginning 1 foot spin
  • Forward inside Open Mo- hawk, both directions
  • Forward Perimeter Stroking with crossover end patterns
  • Alternating backward crossovers with two-foot transition
  • Backward crossovers to a backward outside edge glide (landing position)
  • Lunge
  • Spiral
  • Bunny Hop (Optional)
  • Footwork sequence: (3-5 forward crossovers to an inside Mohawk, 3-5 back- ward crossovers, step forward inside the circle and repeat)

Free Skate Curriculum

Each Free Skate level is divided into four sections: moves in the field, spins, dance/ footwork sequence, and jumps. The Free Skate levels are designed to give skaters a strong foundation on which to build their skills. This is the point where the skater can choose to pursue a recreational or competitive approach to the sport of figure skating.

  • Forward inside open mohawk from a standstill position (R to L and L to R)
  • Backward crossovers to a backward outside edge glides (landing position), clockwise and counterclockwise
  • Backward outside edge to a forward outside edge transition, clockwise and counterclockwise
  • Two forward crossovers into a forward inside mohawk, step down and cross behind, step into one backward crossover and step to a forward inside edge, clockwise and counterclockwise
  • Spins: One-foot upright spin, optional entry and free-foot position (minimum three revolutions)
  • Jumps: Mazurka (R and L)
  • Waltz jump
  • Advanced forward stroking
  • Basic forward outside & inside consecutive edges (4-6)
  • Advanced back outside 3 turns clockwise & counter clockwise
  • Scratch spin from back crossovers
  • Waltz jump from back crossovers
  • Half flip
  • Basic back outside & back inside consecutive edges – 4-6
  • Forward outside & inside spirals, clockwise & counter clockwise (R & L)
  • Continuous forward progressive chasse sequence – clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Waltz threes R & L
  • Beginning back spin
  • Waltz jump-side toe hop-waltz jump sequence
  • Toe loop
  • F & B crossovers in figure 8 pattern
  • Waltz 8
  • Advanced forward consecutive swing rolls (4-6)
  • Backward inside 3 turn R & L
  • Backspin w free foot in crossed leg position
  • Salchow
  • Half Lutz jump
  • Waltz jump -toe loop combo or Salchow-toe loop combo
  • Spiral sequence: FI spiral
  • FI Mohawk
  • BO Spiral – clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Forward power 3 turns: R &L
  • Continuous backward progressive
  • Chasse sequence on a circle – clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Sit spin – 3 revolutions
  • Loop jump
  • Waltz jump-loop jump combination
  • Backward outside 3 turn
  • Mohawk into 3 back crossovers – repeat 3 times clockwise & counter- clockwise
  • Spiral sequence – Forward outside spiral, forward outside 3turn, 1 backward crossover, back inside spiral: clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Forward outside slide chasse swing roll sequence – 3–6 times, alternating feet
  • Camel spin – 3 revolutions min
  • Forward upright spin to back scratch spin – 3 revolutions, each foot
  • Loop/loop combo
  • Flip jump
  • Waltz jump-falling leaf-toe loop jump sequence
  • Alternating back crossovers to back outside edges
  • 5 step Mohawk sequence – clockwise & counterclockwise
  • Camel-sit spin combo– 4 revolutions total
  • Split or stag jump
  • Waltz jump-half loop-Salchow
  • Lutz jump
  • Axel – walk through, preparation, jump
  • Axel does not need to be landed to pass this test.

 

WSC REFUND POLICY

Full refunds will be given with 1 week notice. Inside of 1 week, refunds are at the discretion of  lessons management.  If it is determined that a refund can be offered, the refund will be given only for the unused portion of lessons and weeks that have passed will not be refunded. All potential refunds MUST be requested by the first day of class or will not be considered unless there has been an injury or illness. A doctor’s note may be requested.  Please email lessons@wissskating.com to discuss your situation or to arrange another option depending on your individual circumstances.  No makeups or refunds can be given for missed classes.