Ice skating is the self-propulsion and gliding of a person across an ice surface, using metal-bladed ice skates. People skate for various reasons, including recreation (fun), exercise, competitive sports, and commuting. Ice skating may be performed on naturally frozen bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, canals, and rivers, and on man-made ice surfaces both indoors and outdoors.

Natural ice surfaces used by skaters can accommodate a variety of winter sports which generally require an enclosed area, but are also used by skaters who need ice tracks and trails for distance skating and speed skating. Man-made ice surfaces include ice rinks, ice hockey rinks, bandy fields, ice tracks required for the sport of ice cross downhill, and arenas.

Is ice skating difficult to learn?

Figure skating is a hard skill to learn. If it was easy, everyone would do it. That means that if you want to get good, or even just be okay, you’ll need to figure skate a lot. It will take time to get to where you want to be and there are no tricks around it.

Can a beginner do ice skating?

If you’re a beginner it’s best to take your time and not expect too much from yourself straight away when you first step on the ice. Start by holding on to the side barrier and taking short, marching steps. This will help your balance and help you get used to the feeling of the ice beneath your skates.

What age should you start ice skating?

Somewhere between the ages of three and five, kids are ready to start on skates, says De Vito, a professional skating coach who’s been in charge of the preschool program at the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club in Waterloo, Ont., for five years.

How long does ice skating take to learn?

‘So how long does it take to learn to ice skate? ‘ It should probably take you between 7 to 10 hours to get the basics. That’s not all in one day, that’s over two months. That’s once a week for an hour or so.