Wild Ice Skating 101 - A Basics Workshop - Fall 2026

In this jam-packed entry-level workshop you'll learn the basics of how to predict, find, assess, and travel across wild ice for skating. You'll learn basic rescue techniques, and view wild ice anomalies through a two hour in-class presentation, and an hour of hands-on (ice rink) on-ice rescue instruction, with drills and practice scenarios. There will be Q&A portions built-in throughout.

Who this workshop is for:

This is an adult intended workshop. This year we are also continuing to test: Special exceptions for teenagers with a parent/gaurdian to be considered based on skating abilities. Reachout to LearnToSkateOutside@gmail.com for workshop approval prior to sign-up).

Wild ice skating can be a highly dangerous activity if not taken seriously, so we are mostly offering this workshop to adults currently. Many mature teens that are skilled skaters have reached out in recent years including students of Laura's, so this year we will continue to trial accepting teens with a parent/gaurdian that will attend the workshop together on a case-by-case basis. Please reachout to LearnToSkateOutside@gmail.com for this approval prior to purchase.

LTSO reserves the right to turn attendees away or refund purchased workshop tickets if the safety of participants is in question.

**NOTE: This is an in-person workshop and as such, attendees must attend in-person. Workshop materials will not be sent out to those who do not attend the event in-person. If you cannot attend in-person please let us know as soon as possible as this event will likely sell-out and another may be able to attend. Our refund policy states: No refunds 7days before the event however; special cases can be reviewed.**

Skating Ability Recommendations

For wild ice and to get the most out of the on-ice portion of the workshop, ice skaters should have intermediate-to-advanced capabilities. Meaning, at minimum you should be able to skate forwards, backwards, glide, turn fast, forward stop and backward stop to gain the most practice during the on-ice portion of the workshop. (Adult Level 3 of the Learn To Skate USA curriculum - https://www.learntoskateusa.com/media/1085/curriculum_adult.pdf - And for teens that are considering gaining approval for this workshop: advanced to elite skating skills are recommended as workshop approval will be based on skating skill ability and general strength i.e. teens that train multiple days a week at a rink and are of an advanced level of skating strength).