Skating Tips

First Time on Ice? Start Here

Never been on skates, or it's been a decade? You're in good company. Here's what to wear, how your skates should fit, how to fall (and get back up), and which sessions make the easiest first visit to Ice at The Oaks.

October 29, 2026·By the Ice at The Oaks team·5 min read

Here's a secret every rink knows: most of the people on the ice are figuring it out as they go. Ice skating looks graceful from the bleachers, but the first few laps are mostly small steps, bent knees and a lot of laughing. That's the fun of it.

Ice at The Oaks is open every day from November 6, 2026 through January 10, 2027 at 147 W Thousand Oaks Blvd. Every ticket is $22 for a 90-minute session, and rental skates are always included. Here's how to make your first session a good one.

Want a little backup? Skate helpers are $15 for your whole session, first come, first served. They give you something steady to hold while you find your balance. Get tickets

Before you go

1. Buy tickets online. Each session has limited capacity, and weekends and holiday weeks sell out first. Walk-up tickets are sold only if space remains.
2. Sign the waiver ahead. Every skater needs a quick digital waiver, and a parent or guardian signs for anyone under 18. Signing before you arrive means less time in line.
3. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early. That's time to check in, get your skates and lace up. Sessions start and end on time, so arriving early means you don't spend your ice time lacing up.

What to wear

Southern California evenings get chilly, but you'll warm up fast once you're moving. Dress like you're going for a brisk walk, not a ski trip.

• Gloves or mittens. Hands and ice meet more often than you'd think, especially on a first skate.
• Layers you can unzip. A light jacket over a warm top beats one heavy coat.
• Stretchy pants. Leggings, joggers or athletic pants let you bend your knees. Stiff jeans fight you, and they stay wet after a fall.
• One pair of tall socks. Socks should come up above the top of the skate. One medium pair is more comfortable than two thick ones.
• A helmet for young skaters. Not required, but recommended. Bike, ski or hockey helmets all work.

Tuck in long scarves, and keep your phone zipped in a pocket. Lockers are available to rent for your shoes and bags while you skate.

How your rental skates should fit

Rental skates come in toddler size 8 through adult size 14. Start with your usual shoe size and adjust from there.

• Snug, not painful. Your heel should stay put when you stand up, and your toes should be able to wiggle a little.
• Lace for support. Pull the laces snug across the top of your foot and tightest around the ankle, where you need the most support. Then tuck the ends in so they don't drag.
• Ankles wobbling? That usually means the skates are too big or the laces are too loose. Ask at the skate counter and we'll help you find a better fit.

Your first few minutes on the ice

1. Step on next to the boards. Keep one hand on the rail for your first lap or two. There's no rush to let go.
2. Bend your knees. Imagine you're about to sit in a chair. Soft knees keep your weight over your skates, and stiff legs are what send people backward.
3. Look ahead, not down. Your body follows your eyes. Pick a spot across the rink and skate toward it.
4. March, then glide. Start with small marching steps. Once that feels steady, march three times and let yourself glide on both feet.
5. Learn one stop. The snowplow is the easy one: bend your knees, point your toes slightly in, push your heels out, and press into the ice until you slow down.

How to fall (and get back up)

Everyone falls. The trick is to fall well. When you feel yourself going, bend your knees and lean to the side so you land on your hip, not your wrists or tailbone. Keep your hands in loose fists and tucked in close.

To get up, roll onto your hands and knees. Bring one foot up flat between your hands, then the other, and stand up slowly from a crouch. Move off to the side if you need a breather, and our skate guards are always happy to lend a hand.

Rink rules, in short

• Skate counterclockwise with the flow of the rink.
• No racing, tag or chains.
• No food or drinks on the ice, and don't carry children while you skate.
• Follow our skate guards' instructions. They're there to keep everyone skating.

The best sessions for beginners

• Weekday 3 PM sessions. The first session on a school day is usually the calmest, with plenty of room to practice.
• Cheap Skate Mondays ($16). Every Monday session outside holiday weeks: Nov 9, 16, 30, Dec 7 & 14. A low-cost way to get your skating legs.
• Littles Skate. Wednesdays mornings for skaters 8 and under with a grown-up, on calm, uncrowded ice. $44 for a grown-up and one little, and a 3rd child skates free.
• Learn to Skate classes. Want real coaching? Sunday classes at 9 AM and 10 AM cover the basics in 4 weeks for $185, with 20 spots per class. Adults are welcome in Class 2.

Our Friday and Saturday Late Skates at 9 PM, with a DJ and colored lights, are a blast but usually busy. Save them for your second visit.

Quick answers

Ready for your first skate?

Pick your date and session, and we'll have your skates waiting.

Questions before you visit? Call (805) 292-0057 or email info@iceattheoaks.com. You can also browse our full FAQ.

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