Group Lessons
Wheaton Ice Arena offers group lessons for skaters age 3 and up, at every level of ability. Whether it’s your first time on the ice, or you’re a routine visitor to the rink there’s a skating course for you at Wheaton Ice Arena!
Our classes range from basic offerings, focusing on the foundation of progressive skills to variations of hockey and figure skating abilities. Learn how to skate in a fun, safe environment with professional skating coaches to help you achieve your ice-skating goals. You can find a description of each class, along with it’s Activity number to register, at the bottom of this page.
For complete class descriptions or SIGN UP , visit ActiveMONTGOMERY.org .
General Registration and Course Information
2025 Ice Skating and Hockey Class Session Dates
*Last days of class listed here assumes all classes meet according to schedule (no snow dates, etc.)
Season Online Class Dates No Classes Spring at Cabin John Ice Rink April 7-23 April 25-June 9 May 23-26 Summer at Cabin John Ice Rink June 10-18 June 20–Aug. 7 July 4-6 Fall 1 TBD Fall 2 Oct. 24-30 Nov. 1-Dec. 19 Nov. 26-30
Tips for your first class
Wear one pair of thin socks.
Helmets and gloves are highly recommended. Helmets are required for all Preschool and Youth Ice Skating 1 classes. Bike helmets are fine.
Arrive at the rink 15 minutes early for your lesson, and early for subsequent classes so you have plenty of time to get skates and gear on before class starts.
Ask for skates that are size smaller than your shoe size.
For an immediate answer to a basic group skating class question, please call the rink at 301-905-3000 to speak to someone at the front desk. You may also email the Skating Director.
Register online at Active Montgomery.
Group Lesson Fees 30-minute group lessons start at $120 per series (six 30-minute lessons)
Classes with less than 3 participants will either be refunded or combined with another class.
Age Information and Session Progression Age and Skill levels Class progression Children ages 3-5 for basic skating skills Parent and Tot, Preschool 1-4 Youth ages 6-12 for basic skating skills Youth Ice Skating 1 through Youth Ice Skating 6 Teen and Adults (ages 13 and older) for basic skating skills Teen and Adult Ice Skating 1 through Teen and Adult Free Skate Figure Skating (after completing Youth Ice Skating 6 or Teen and Adult Free Skate) Pre Free Skate through Free Skate 6, Figure Skating Specialty Classes Youth Hockey (after completing Youth Ice Skating 1) Hockey 1 through Hockey Advanced, Hockey Specialty Classes
Parent and Tot and Preschool Ice-Skating Classes
These leveled classes are designed for skaters ages 3-5. Fees include skate rental plus a practice card good for six public skate session admissions.
Parent and Tot and Preschool classes
Parent and Tot- PICE0100
Parent & Tot (for skaters ages 3-5):
Preschool Ice Skating 1-PICE0101
Preschool Ice Skating 1
This class is designed for children ages 3-5 who are beginning skaters. Skaters will learn how to sit and stand up on skates (off and on the ice); march in place; march forward; glide on two feet; and dip in place. Fee includes rental skates and a practice card good for admission to six public skate sessions for the skater to practice skills learned in class. Equipment required: Helmet and gloves. Fee is $120.
Preschool Ice Skating 2- PICE0102
Preschool Ice Skating 2 : For skaters age 3-5 who have completed Parent and Tot or Preschool Ice Skating 1.
Preschool Ice Skating 3- PICE0103
Preschool Ice Skating 3 : For skaters ages 3-5 who have completed Preschool Ice Skating 2.
Preschool Ice Skating 4-PICE0104
Preschool Ice Skating 4 For skaters ages 3-5 who have completed Preschool Ice Skating 3.
Skating Superstars
Skating Superstars: (for skaters ages 4-8 who have completed Preschool 3 or Youth 1).
Youth Ice Skating Classes
These leveled classes teach the fundamental skills of ice skating from your child’s first steps on the ice to crossovers and turns. Fees include skate rental plus a practice card good for public skate session admissions.
Youth Ice Skating Classes
Youth Ice Skating 1 (Beginner)- PICE0201
Youth Ice Skating 1
Youth Ice Skating 2-PICE0202
Youth Ice Skating 2
Prerequisite: Passed Youth Ice Skating 1 or Preschool Ice Skating 4. This class is for skaters ages 4-12. Skaters will learn forward one-foot glides, backward two-foot glide, rocking horse, scooter pushes, backward swizzles, a two-foot turn from forward to backward in place, and a moving snowplow stop. Fee is $120. Helmet and gloves are strongly recommended.
Youth Ice Skating 3-PICE0203
Youth Ice Skating 3
Youth Ice Skating 4-PICE0204
Youth Ice Skating 4 Prerequisite: Passed Youth Ice Skating 3. Skaters will learn forward outside and inside edges on a circle (R and L), forward crossovers, backward half-swizzle pumps on a circle, backward one-foot glides, beginning two-foot spin, and forward lunges. Fee is $120.
Youth Ice Skating 5-PICE0205
Youth Ice Skating 5 Prerequisite: Passed Youth Ice Skating 4. Skaters will learn backward outside and inside edges on a circle (R and L), backward crossovers, forward outside three-turns, advanced two-foot spin, hockey stop, and side toe hop. Fee is $120.
Youth Ice Skating 6-PICE0206
Youth Ice Skating 6 Prerequisite: Passed Youth Ice Skating 5. Skaters will learn forward inside three-turns, moving backward to forward two-foot turns on a circle, backward stroking, T-stop, bunny hops, forward spiral on a straight line, beginning one-foot spin, and shoot the duck. Fee is $120 ($180 for Cabin John 45-minute classes).
Youth Aspire- PICE0321
The Aspire Academy is for aspiring Figure Skaters looking for additional ice time and instruction. This 45-minute weekly session will include sessions on skating skills, power stroking, beginning jumps and spins, choreography, skating skills, and performance. It’s goal is to allow additional ice time and group instruction to our skaters and this can be taken in addition to your regular youth ice skating class. We will offer an off ice session during each series for parents and skaters to talk about topics such as figure skating topics such as equipment, testing, and competition. Fee is $180 and will be held at Cabin John Ice rink for the Spring series.
Youth level is for children who have passed Youth Ice Skating 3.
Teen and Adult Ice Skating Classes
These leveled classes are designed for skaters ages 13 and up who are beginning to experienced skaters who wish to improve their skating skills. Classes will improve physical fitness, balance, and coordination while teaching skaters advancing skills. Fee includes skate rental plus a skating practice card good for admission to public skate sessions to practice skills learned in class.
Teen and Adult Ice Skating Classes
Teen and Adult Ice Skating 1-PICE0220
Teen and Adult Ice Skating 1 (age 13 and up): This class is for beginner teen & adult skaters age 13 and older. Learn falling & recovery, forward marching, forward two-foot glide, forward swizzles, one forward/one backward swizzle, dip, and forward snowplow stop. Fee is $120 and includes skate rental and a public skating pass. Helmets and gloves are required (bike helmets are fine).
Teen and Adult Ice Skating 2-PICE0221
Teen and Adult Ice Skating 2 (age 13 and up): Prerequisite: Passed Teen and Adult 1. Learn forward skating, forward one-foot glides, forward slalom, backward skating, backward swizzles, and two-foot turns in place. Fee is $120 and includes skate rental and a public skating pass. Helmet & gloves are strongly recommended.
Teen and Adult Ice Skating 3-PICE0222
Teen and Adult Ice Skating 3 Prerequisite: Passed Teen and Adult Ice Skating 2. Learn forward stroking, forward half-swizzle pumps on circle, moving forward to backward and backward to forward two-foot turn on a circle, backward skating & glide, forward chasses on a circle, and backward snowplow stop. Skaters will receive a practice card that may be used on the public sessions for practice. Fee is $120 ($180 at Cabin John for 45-minute class)
Teen and Adult Ice Skating 4-PICE0223
Teen and Adult Ice Skating 4 Prerequisite: Passed Teen and Adult Ice Skating 3. Learn forward outside and inside edges on a circle, forward crossovers, backward one-foot glides, backward half swizzle pumps on a circle, and hockey stop. Skaters will receive a practice card that may be used on public sessions for practice. Fee is $120 ($180 at Cabin John for 45-minute class)
Teen and Adult Ice Skating Advanced-PICE0224
Teen and Adult Advanced Ice Skating Prerequisite: Passed Teen and Adult Ice Skating 4. Learn back edges on a circle, backward crossovers, outside three-turn, swing rolls, advanced stroking with crossovers forwards & backwards, forward inside three-turns, forward outside to inside change of edge power pulls, T-stop, Lunge, and two-foot to one-foot spins. Skaters will receive a practice card that may be used on the public sessions for practice. Fee is $120 ($180 at Cabin John for 45-minute class)
Teen and Adult Free Skate- PICE0225
Teen and Adult Free Skate Prerequisite: Passed Teen and Adult Ice Skating Advanced. This class will focus on introductory free skating skills including beginner jumps and spins. Skater will receive a practice card that may be used on public sessions for practice. Fee is $120 ($180 at Cabin John for 45-minute class)
Hockey Classes
These youth leveled hockey classes teach skating skills for hockey, stickhandling, and prepare skaters for a team setting. Skaters should complete Youth Ice Skating 1 or Teen and Adult Ice Skating 1 before registering for a hockey class. Skaters registered for Hockey 1 and 2 will get a 15% discount on in stock equipment purchased in the Cabin John Ice rink or Wheaton Ice Arena Pro Shops on the gear fitting days before the first class.
Hockey skaters are required to have the following equipment for class:
Hockey 1: Caged Hockey Helmet, neck guard, Flat stick, Hockey Skates
Hockey 2: Caged hockey helmet, neck guard, stick, hockey skates, Shin guards, hockey gloves, protective cup, mouthguard
Hockey 3, 4, and Offensive Skills: Caged hockey helmet, neck guard, stick, hockey skates, Shoulder and Elbow pads, hockey pants, curved stick.
Youth Hockey Classes
Hockey 1-PICE0351
Hockey 1 Prerequisite: Passed Youth Ice Skating 1 or Preschool Ice Skating 4. Skater will learn falling and getting up in hockey skates, proper stance, march forward across the ice, 8-10 steps, forward two-foot glide, dip, forward swizzles, T-push to a two-foot glide, front to back turns, and snowplow stop. Fee includes skate rental. Equipment required: Caged hockey helmet, **neck guard, flat stick cut to skater’s height, and hockey skates. Shin guards and hockey gloves are recommended (but not required). Fee is $120.
Hockey 1 and 2 skaters can attend a gear fitting and purchase session in the pro shop to receive a 15% discount on in stock equipment purchased (skates excluded) and a free stick cutting.
Hockey 2-PICE0352
Hockey 2 Prerequisite: Passed Hockey 1. Skaters will learn strides using 45-degree v push, forward one-foot push and glides, forward alternating C-cuts, backward hustles to glides on two feet, backward swizzles, backward alternating C-cuts, moving skateboard push, and moving snowplow stop. Fee includes skate rental, and a practice card good for admission to six public skate sessions to practice skills learned in class. Equipment required: Caged hockey helmet, **neck guard, shin guards, hockey gloves, flat stick cut to skater’s height, and hockey skates. $120.
Hockey 1 and 2 skaters can attend a gear fitting and purchase session in the pro shop to receive a 15% discount on in stock equipment purchased (skates excluded) and a free stick cutting.
Hockey 3-PICE0353
Hockey 3 Prerequisite: Passed Hockey 2. Skaters will learn lateral crossover march, forward C-cuts on a circle, forward outside and inside edges on half circles, backward C-cuts, backward snowplow stops, forward stop-starts, and one-foot forward snowplow stops. Fee includes skate rental and a practice card good for admission to public sessions to practice skills learned in class. Equipment required: Caged hockey helmet, **neck guard, shoulder and elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, hockey gloves, protective cup, curved stick cut to skater’s height, and hockey skates. Fee: $120 ($180 at Cabin John for 45-minute class).
Hockey 4-PICE0354
Hockey 4 Prerequisite: Passed Hockey 3. Skaters will learn quick starts using V-starts, backward one-foot glides, forward and backward crossovers, forward to backward Mohawk pivots, and hockey stops. Fee includes skate rental and a practice card good for admission to public skate sessions to practice skills learned in class. Equipment required: Caged hockey helmet, **neck guard, shoulder and elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, hockey gloves, protective cup, curved stick cut to skater’s height, and hockey skates. Fee: $120 ($180 at Cabin John for 45-minute class).
Hockey Offensive Skills-PICE0361
Hockey Offensive Skills
Prerequisite: Passed Hockey 2. This advanced hockey class will focus on getting through the offensive zone and putting the puck in the net. Topics covered will include shooting techniques and accuracy, speed and agility, stickhandling, skating in open ice, receiving passes, and defending the puck. Full gear required.
