Columbia Ice Rink offers skating lessons under the national Learn to Skate USA program and are taught by the Chesapeake Skating School. This program was recently recognized as the #1 program in the state of Maryland and #11 in the Eastern U.S.!

Participants are provided with a fun, safe atmosphere for all students (ages 3 to adults) to learn how to ice skate. Classes are 1 day a week for 7 weeks and are 25 min. in length. The last class of the session is used for evaluation of skills to determine progression to the next level.

Included with purchase of a session:

  • Use of Rental skates during the lesson
  • 7 complimentary public sessions’ admissions that must be used within that LTS session
    • skate rental not included for public sessions

Learn to Skate Rules

  1. Online registration prior to the start of the session available at columbiaassociation.org/login. Regular registration can also be done by calling 410-­730­-0322.
  2. Refunds are permitted for the following situations:
    • Notification of withdrawal from class prior to the start of a session. Subject to a $20 administrative fee.
    • Student medical emergency with a copy of physician’s verification provided to waive the administrative fee.
      Missed classes will not be credited.
  3. One courtesy makeup class is allowed on Saturday morning only, provided that space is available at the appropriate level. All requests must be submitted via email to Ice.Rink@ColumbiaAssociation.org with 48-­hour advance notice.
  4. Make­up classes cannot be scheduled the first or last week of the session. Make­up classes must be taken within the session.
  5. No practice is allowed during group lesson time.
  6. Children ages 5 and younger must bring helmets for skating lessons. We recommend that all beginners wear a helmet regardless of age.
  7. Send any communications about the Learn to Skate program or private instruction to Ice.Rink@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
  8. Children age 11 and under must have adult supervision at all times

Registration

Tot 1-4: For Beginners Age 3-5yrs. Levels are designated by skill level not age.
Tot 5: For beginners that are 5 years of age, by recommendation only.

Basic 1-6: For ages 6 through adult, or those who have passed Tot 3. Students are taught the fundamentals of skating for the development of a recreational and/or competitive sport.

Pre-Free Skate and Free Skate 1-6: Students will further develop their edging, spinning and jumping techniques. Prerequisite: Advancement through the Learn to Skate program or placement testing.

Specialty Classes – Axel and Double Jump

Important Note:To register for any of the above classes, you must make purchase of an Annual US Learn To Skate Membership. This membership is required for all Learn to Skate lessons. This membership can be purchased on our registration system under the name “24-25 Learn to Skate membership” This is not a membership to Columbia Association.

Sessions

2024-2025 Session Schedule (session dates are subject to change)

  • September 4– October 20
  • October 23 – December 17
  • January 3 – February 19
  • February 21 – April 9
  • April 17 – Jun 8

Mini-Sessions

Sessions are held from 9:30-11:30am. Two classes and 2 practice sessions the first 3 days. The fourth day will be teacher evaluations and a free skate for the final hour. Children aged 11 and under must have adult supervision present at all times. Registration for sessions is available 30 days prior to the start date.

2024-2025 Mini Session Schedule :

  • August 12-15 (Holiday)
  • August 19-22
  • December 27-31 (no class on the 29th)
  • April 14-17

Pricing

Registration Price:

Private Lessons

  • Private one-on-one lessons are great for skaters 3 years and older that:
    • Want to begin testing/competing
    • Progressed out of learn to skate
    • Do better in a one-on-one setting rather than a group
  • Private lessons are available though The Chesapeake Skating School and are conducted during our freestyle sessions. Private lessons are completely separate from our Learn to Skate Program.

For more information, call 410-730-0322 or email Denise Cahill our Learn To Skate Director at: PDCCahill8@gmail.com. Columbia Ice Rink is located at 5876 Thunder Hill Road in the Oakland Mills Village Center in Columbia.