Public skating is the simplest way to get on the ice: no team, no registration in most cases, no experience required. Still, a first visit raises a lot of small questions. Here is what a typical session at an indoor arena looks like, from the parking lot to the last lap.

Before you leave home

Start by checking the schedule for the exact day you plan to go. Public skating times change with the seasons, with school breaks and with tournaments that take over the ice for a weekend. A session that runs every Sunday in October may not run on a long weekend, and a holiday schedule can replace the regular one for a week or two.

Look for two other details while you are at it:

  • Who the session is for. Some sessions are open to everyone, others are reserved for a group: adults only, older adults (55+ or 60+), parents with young children, families. On this site, a label next to the session tells you when it is reserved.
  • How you pay. Some cities offer free public skating, others charge a small admission, and a few ask you to book a spot online ahead of time. The arena's official page is the place to confirm.

What to bring

  • Skates. Your own if you have them. Many arenas rent skates, but not all, and rental counters can close early or run out of popular sizes. If you plan to rent, call ahead.
  • A helmet. A hockey helmet certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is the safest choice, and some arenas require one for children or for everyone. Bicycle helmets are designed for a different kind of fall; several arenas do not allow them on the ice.
  • Gloves or mittens. They keep your hands warm and protect them when you fall, since hands are the first thing to hit the ice.
  • Layers. The air in an arena is cool, often around 10 °C or less near the ice. A light jacket or a sweater over a t-shirt works better than a heavy winter coat, which gets hot quickly once you start moving.
  • Thick but not bulky socks. One pair of good socks is better than two pairs, which can make skates tight and cut off circulation in your feet.
  • A water bottle and, for kids, a small snack for after.

Arriving at the arena

Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the start. Lacing skates always takes longer than expected, especially for children, and popular sessions can have a line at the door or at the rental counter. Most arenas have a lobby or a set of dressing rooms where you can put your skates on; some have lockers or benches for boots and bags, others ask you to keep your belongings with you.

The ice is usually closed for a few minutes between sessions while it is resurfaced. When the doors to the ice open, a staff member or a sign will tell you it is time to go on.

On the ice: the unwritten rules

Public skating works because everyone follows the same few habits:

  • Skate in the same direction as everyone else. Most arenas use counter-clockwise, but some switch direction partway through a session. Follow the signs or the staff.
  • Keep moving along the outside, rest along the boards. If you need to stop, move to the edge so faster skaters can pass. The middle of the ice is often used by beginners and children practising, or reserved for a specific use; follow the arena's rules.
  • Pass with care. Leave room, and pass on the side away from the boards when you can.
  • No racing, tag or chains of people holding hands across the ice. They are fun until someone falls in front of the group.
  • Get up quickly after a fall. Turn onto your hands and knees, bring one foot up between your hands, then the other, and stand. Then look around before you start again.
  • Listen to the staff. Rink attendants (often in a bright vest) are there for safety. Their instructions take priority over everything else.

Many arenas also ban hockey sticks, pucks, food and drinks on the ice during public skating. If you want to work on your shot, look for a stick and puck session instead.

If you are nervous about falling

Everyone falls, including people who skate every week. A few things make it less likely and less painful:

  • Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight over the middle of your feet. Standing stiff and straight is what makes you tip backward.
  • Look ahead, not at your feet.
  • Take short, gentle pushes to the side rather than walking steps.
  • If you feel yourself going, bend your knees further and try to fall to the side, not straight back.

Some arenas lend or rent skating aids, the plastic frames that help beginners stay upright. They are usually meant for children, and some sessions do not allow them; ask at the counter.

After the session

Wipe your blades dry with a cloth before putting them away, and leave your skates out of the bag at home so they can dry completely. Moisture is what rusts blades and wears out boots. Leave the blade guards off for storage: they trap water against the steel.

If you enjoyed it, the easiest way to make skating a habit is to pick a regular session at a nearby arena and add it to your calendar. Every session on this site has a button for that.

Rules, fees and equipment requirements vary from one arena to another. Before you go, check the session details on the arena's official page, linked from every arena on this site.