Beginning and Advanced Tots
For ages 3 to 5. Students work on falling, marching, gliding, and moving forward and backward. Gloves and a helmet or toboggan are required.
About the Program
These are the skill levels established by the Ice Skating Institute learn-to-skate program. ISI has since transitioned to the name Ice Sports Industry.
The program is designed to encourage participation rather than elimination, giving skaters of many ages and levels a place to learn, improve, and, if they want, compete in a friendly atmosphere.
Ice Sports Industry supports rink owners, operators, coaches, and skaters and has introduced millions of participants to skating through its curriculum and programs.
Basic Levels
Beginners (Pre-Alpha)
Beginner students learn balance and simple glides on both feet. Anyone over age 5 who has never taken classes should generally start here.
Alpha
After Pre-Alpha, skaters learn forward stroking, forward crossovers in both directions, and a basic stop.
Beta
Students move to backward stroking, backward crossovers in both directions, and T-stops with each foot.
Gamma
Gamma introduces forward outside edge three-turns, inside mohawks, and the hockey stop.
Delta
The final basic level includes inside edge three-turns, forward edges, bunny hops, lunges, and shoot-the-duck skills.
Freestyle and Other Tracks
Freestyle begins after the basic levels are completed. There are 10 freestyle levels, each introducing new jumps, spins, and footwork requirements.
Ice Dancing becomes available for skaters who have passed Alpha. Dancers learn patterned footwork set to ballroom-style music, with more than 20 dances included across the testing structure.
Synchronized Teams are available to skaters who have passed Beta. Teams of 8 or more perform 3 to 4 minute routines based on timing, unison, and coordinated footwork.
Hockey, Pairs, Couples, and Figures also have progressive skill levels within the broader ISI system.