Ice is slippery in a way a roller floor isn’t, and your first few minutes on it can feel strange. The blade is thin, the surface is cold and smooth, and your ankles have more to do. But the basic skills are simple, and the rink is built for beginners as much as for hockey players and figure skaters.
This guide covers a typical indoor public skate. Outdoor rinks work much the same way but depend on the weather; see our outdoor ice skating guide for those.
How public skating works
Most ice rinks share their ice between hockey, figure skating, lessons and the public. Public skate (also called open skate or general skate) is the time set aside for anyone to come in and skate. Because the rest of the day is often booked for teams and programs, public sessions usually run at set times that change with the season. Check the rink’s schedule before you go.
A typical visit goes like this: pay admission, pick up rental skates if you need them, lace up on a bench, put your shoes in a cubby or locker, and walk out to the ice on rubber flooring. Some rinks ask you to sign a waiver.
Between sessions, and sometimes partway through one, staff clear everyone off so the ice can be resurfaced. A machine shaves the surface and lays down a thin layer of water that freezes smooth. When you’re asked to leave the ice, do it right away. The fresh sheet is worth the short wait.
Getting rental skates to fit
A good fit matters more on ice than anywhere else. A loose boot lets your ankle wobble, and that makes balancing much harder.
- Wear one pair of thin or medium socks that come above the boot. Thick socks or two pairs make the boot tight in the wrong places.
- Ask for your shoe size, and ask whether the rink’s sizes run differently. Try a half size or a full size down if your foot slides around.
- Push your heel to the back of the boot before you lace. Tap the heel on the floor to seat it.
- Lace snug, tightest at the ankle. The laces should be firm over the top of your foot and tightest around the ankle, then just firm enough at the top hooks that you can still bend your knees forward.
- Test it. Stand up and bend your knees. Your heel should stay down and your toes should be able to wiggle. If your ankles cave inward, the laces are probably too loose or the boot is too big.
Hockey skates or figure skates?
Many rinks rent both. Figure skates have a longer blade with a toe pick at the front. Keep your weight over the middle of the blade so the pick doesn’t catch. Hockey skates have a shorter, curved blade with no pick. They turn easily but can feel rocky front to back. Either works for a beginner. Choose the pair that fits best.
Blade guards
If you have your own skates, wear rubber blade guards when you walk anywhere off the ice, and take them off before you step on. Walking onto the ice with guards still on is a classic slip.
Dressing for a cold rink
Indoor rinks are cool all year, and you’ll get colder when you stop to rest. Dress in layers you can open up as you warm up:
- Gloves or mittens. They keep your hands warm and protect them when you put a hand down on the ice.
- Pants that move and don’t soak through. Leggings, athletic pants or snow pants work well. Jeans get wet and stiff when you fall.
- A warm top layer such as a fleece or light jacket.
- A hat or a helmet. For beginners and kids, a helmet is the better choice.
- No long loose scarves or anything that can dangle near your skates.
More detail is in what to wear skating.
Balance basics
- Bend your knees. Stand with your feet a little apart and your knees bent, as if you’re about to sit. Straight, locked legs make balancing much harder.
- Keep your weight centered. Not on your toes and not on your heels. Your arms can float out in front of you for balance.
- Look ahead, not at your feet. Your body follows your eyes.
- March, then glide. Take small steps in place, then small steps forward with your toes turned slightly out. When you feel steady, push one foot out to the side and let the other one glide.
- Push to the side. The push comes from the inside edge of the blade moving out to the side, not from pushing backward off the toe.
Stopping
The first stop most people learn is the snowplow. While gliding slowly, bend your knees, point your toes slightly inward, and push your heels out so the blades scrape the ice. You’ll see a little snow build up in front of the blades. Start by practicing it with one foot while the other glides straight.
Falling and getting up
Falling is part of learning. To fall well, bend your knees and get low, then go down to the side rather than straight back. Tuck your chin to protect your head, and keep your arms bent.
On the ice, get up quickly. Other skaters’ blades are sharp, so keep your hands close to your body and your fingers off the open ice. To stand up:
- Roll onto your hands and knees.
- Bring one foot forward and set the blade flat on the ice between your hands.
- Bring the other foot up next to it.
- Put your hands on your knees and push up slowly.
The wall is fine to use, but try not to stay glued to it. Skaters holding the boards tend to bunch up. Move along it, let go for short stretches, and step off the ice if you need a long rest.
Skate aids for kids
Many rinks have skate aids: frames or trainers that a child holds and pushes across the ice. They give small kids something steady to lean on while they learn to balance. Some rinks set age or height rules for them, and they may run out on busy days, so ask at the counter when you arrive. A helmet is a good idea for every young skater, aid or not.
Tips for your first public skate
- Arrive a little early so you aren’t rushing the fit of your skates.
- Pick a quieter session if the schedule offers one. Crowded ice is harder for beginners.
- Skate the same direction as everyone else, usually counterclockwise. Our rink etiquette and safety guide covers the rest.
- Take breaks off the ice to warm up and drink water.
- Consider a lesson. Many rinks run learn-to-skate classes for kids and adults. Here are rinks with skating lessons, and our guide to learn-to-skate lessons explains how they work.
Find an ice rink
Browse ice skating rinks by state, or rinks with public skating. In winter, try an outdoor or seasonal ice rink. Every listing shows where its claims come from, such as a quoted review sentence or the rink’s own website. Public session times change often, so always check the rink’s schedule before you go.
Common questions
- Should I rent hockey skates or figure skates?
- Either is fine for a first time. Figure skates have a longer blade and a toe pick, the jagged teeth at the front, so don’t tip forward onto your toes. Hockey skates have a shorter, rounded blade that turns easily but can feel rocky front to back. Take whichever the rink has in your size that fits well.
- What socks should I wear ice skating?
- One pair of thin or medium socks that come up above the top of the boot. Thick socks, or two pairs, crowd the boot, make it harder to get a snug fit, and can leave your feet colder rather than warmer.
- Is it cold inside an indoor ice rink?
- Yes. The air near the ice is cool all year, and you’ll feel it most when you stop moving. Wear layers, gloves and a light jacket you can unzip once you warm up.
- What does a skate aid do?
- A skate aid is a frame that a skater holds and pushes across the ice, a bit like a walker. Many rinks have them for young children learning to balance. Ask at the counter whether the rink has them and whether there are age or height rules.