Skating School
Learn to Skate in Thousand Oaks
Sunday-morning classes for ages 4 to adult, on real ice under the lights. Here's which class fits your skater, what happens in a lesson, and how to get ready for the first day.
Learning to skate is one of the best parts of winter, and this year your skater can learn outdoors, under the string lights. Ice at The Oaks runs a Learn to Skate school every Sunday morning from November 22 through January 10, right here in Thousand Oaks.
Classes are small and split by age, our coaches teach every one, and rental skates are always included. Whether your skater has never stood on ice or wants to finally learn to stop, there's a spot for them.
Registration is open. Save a spot online with no payment today, and we'll email you within one business day to confirm. Classes are capped to keep groups small. Register a skater
Which class is right for my skater?
There are two classes, grouped by age, and both meet every Sunday of the session:
- Class 1 at 9:00 AM is for skaters 10 and under. Four is the youngest age we teach.
- Class 2 at 10:00 AM is for skaters 11 and up, including teens and grown-ups.
Within each class, coaches split skaters into small groups by ability. A true beginner and a kid who skated last winter each get the right challenge, even in the same class.
Have a skater under 4? Bring them to Littles Skate on Wednesdays, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, a calm, uncrowded session for skaters 8 and under with a grown-up. Grown-up + little $44 · 3rd child FREE.
What happens in a lesson
- Arrive 20 minutes early. Sign the quick digital waiver (parents sign for kids), grab rental skates and lace up.
- A 30-minute lesson. Our coaches work with each small group on the skill of the week, with plenty of time on the ice and very little standing around.
- 15 minutes of free skate. Skaters practice what they just learned while it's fresh. Families watch free from rink-side.
- Stay and skate. Skaters can stay for the 11 AM public session after class, free, to keep practicing.
What your skater will learn
Each class builds week by week. Here's what our coaches cover this season:
Class 1 · Ages 4–10
- Standing, balance and marching in place
- Gliding forward on two feet
- Falling safely and getting back up
- Snowplow stops and first turns
Class 2 · Ages 11+
- Strong forward strides and glides
- Snowplow and T-stops
- Backward skating basics
- Edges, turns and an intro to crossovers
How long does it take to learn to skate?
Every skater moves at their own pace, and that's fine. For most beginners, the first wobbly lap turns into a real glide within a few weeks of practice, which is why each session is 4 classes in a row instead of a one-off lesson.
Three things speed it up. Skate helpers give new skaters something steady to hold while they find their balance (first come, first served). Free practice time after class means more minutes on the ice. And every skater takes home a copy of Coach Wendi Cool's Weekly Off-Ice Bingo, a year of off-ice games that build balance, strength and confidence at home between Sundays.
Can grown-ups take lessons?
Yes. Adults join Class 2 at 10:00 AM, whether it's your first time on skates or you've been skating for years and still can't stop without the wall. If your younger kids are in Class 1, the timing works out: Class 1 ends at 9:45 and Class 2 starts at 10:00, so the whole family can learn on the same Sunday morning.
What to wear and bring
- Gloves or mittens
- Warm layers you can move in
- Tall socks
- A helmet for young skaters
- A water bottle
- No skates needed
Stretchy pants beat stiff jeans, and a light jacket you can unzip beats a heavy coat. Skaters warm up fast once they're moving.
Dates and cost
There are two sessions this season. Sign up for one or both, and new skaters can start in either.
- Session 1: 4 Sundays, Nov 22 – Dec 13
- Session 2: 4 Sundays, Dec 20 – Jan 10
Each session is $185 per skater for all 4 classes, with rental skates included. Taking both sessions covers every Sunday of the season for $370.
How to sign up
Fill out the short form on our Learn to Skate page for each skater. No payment is needed to save a spot. We'll email you within one business day to confirm your class and arrange payment.
Questions? Call us at (805) 292-0057 or email info@iceattheoaks.com. See you on the ice.