SportQuest Skating Academy offers ISI-certified instruction in group lessons for children and adults.

Info on current offerings – click here

LTS is held at Parade Ice Garden, 600 Kenwood Parkway, Minneapolis MN 55403.

Parking is free, but may be limited during hockey games, competitions, etc.

Our skate school welcomes skaters of all ages and abilities! 

Sample annual schedule for SQSA Learn-to-Skate:

Fall session: Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, October-December

Winter session: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings, January-March

Spring session: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, April-May

Summer session: Wednesday evenings, June-August

CLASS INFORMATION

• TOTS (beginners ages 3-5): Learning is fun with songs and games! This is the perfect place for 3-5 year-old beginners who want to start their hockey and/or figure skating careers off right, or just want to be able to skate independently with friends and family. On- and off-ice sit and stand with skates, mechanics of falling and marching, dip in place and beginning gliding, forward swizzles, backward wiggles.
• PRE-ALPHA (beginners ages 6-12, and skaters who have passed Tots): This is the perfect place for 6-12 year-olds who want to start their hockey and/or figure skating careers off right, or just want to be able to skate independently with friends and family. Mechanics of falling, pushing and gliding forward and backward, swizzles, wiggles, one foot proficiency, beginning stops, T pushes, curves, two foot hops and turns.
• ALPHA: Beginning stroking, forward crossovers both directions in checked position, backward pumps on a circle, edges on a circle, one foot snow plow stops, and two foot turns.
• BETA: Backward stroking, backward crossovers both directions in checked position, T-stops right & left, edges on a circle, moving two foot turns.
• GAMMA: Forward outside 3-turns right & left, inside open mohawk sequence, hockey stop both directions, moving backward two foot turns on a circle, chasse.
• DELTA: Forward inside 3-turns right & left, forward consecutive edges, shoot the duck/lunge, bunny hop, landing position or mastery of backward outside edge glide.
• FREESTYLE: Skater will continue mastery of these elements with jumps and spins added for advanced skating skills. For example: Freestyle 1: Backward edges, forward spiral, 2-foot spin, forward pivot, waltz jump, half flip. Freestyle 2: Forward edge spirals, dance step, one-foot spin, half lutz, ballet jump, jump combinations
• ADULTS & TEENS: Beginner through intermediate, skills and maneuvers appropriate for the skater’s level.
• HOCKEY SKILLS: (ages 5-12) Skating skills for beginning hockey players. Fast-paced, forward & backward skating, stopping, and turning. Must be able to skate independently and unassisted to participate. Not intended for first time skaters. Suggested prerequisites include PreAlpha, Mini Mites or Mites hockey.  No sticks. Pads/breezers optional.
• ADVANCED SKILLS: Open to Beta, Gamma, Delta, Freestyle level skaters. Take Learn to Skate to the next level. Focus on advancing moves, edges, jumps, and spins.
• INTRO TO PRIVATE LESSONS: (Beta through Freestyle youth skaters – very limited enrollment): Thinking about private figure skating lessons? Try it out in these semi-private 1/2 hour lessons. approx 3 skaters per coach. Figure skates required. Intended for skaters who do not already work with a private coach.
• PRACTICE TIME: (Alpha through Freestyle youth skaters): Add this to a class for a full hour to practice your skills! Self-directed with supervision.

Skaters will be evaluated on the first day of class to ensure appropriate class placement. Skaters (Tots – Delta) will be evaluated at the end of the session for future class recommendations. 

Helmets are required (hockey or bike) for Tots and Pre-Alpha skaters and encouraged for all others. Bring mittens and warm attire (snow pants, sweatpants, etc.) Loose layers are best. Figure or hockey skates are permitted; no double blades.

Skates may be rented from Parade Ice Garden for $3.00 per use for class members. There are a limited number of both hockey and figure skates.

Parents are not allowed on the ice during instruction. No refunds, unless class is canceled.

We cannot offer make-up classes or credit for missed class.