Learn to Skate levels, explained

Almost every rink near you teaches the same national ladder — Learn to Skate USA. Here's what each level actually means, so a "Basic 3" on a schedule tells you something.

Snowplow Sam 1–4

Ages 3–6, never skated before

Snowplow Sam 1Sit and stand on the ice, march in place, balance.
Snowplow Sam 2March across the ice, dip, begin to move forward.
Snowplow Sam 3Forward two-foot glide, forward swizzles, start to stop.
Snowplow Sam 4Backward wiggles, longer glides, a beginning snowplow stop.

Basic 1–6

The core foundation, all ages (kids ~5+ and adults)

Basic 1Fall and get up, march, forward two-foot glide, dip.
Basic 2Forward swizzles, backward two-foot glide, two-foot turn.
Basic 3Forward stroking, a real stop, backward swizzles, curves.
Basic 4Forward and backward crossovers begin, backward stroking.
Basic 5Stronger crossovers, a lunge, a spin, one-foot control.
Basic 6Confident forward/backward skating, stops, edges — ready to specialize.

After Basic 6: choosing a track

Once the fundamentals are solid, skaters branch. Both tracks share the same foundation — there's no rush to pick early.

Hockey track

Four badge levels plus power skating, taught without a puck. Focus on hockey-specific skating: agility, edges, tight turns, quick stops and starts. A skater who finishes Snowplow Sam 4 can move into Hockey Skating 3.

Leads to: Learn to Play Hockey, then Skating Skills / Hockey Skills programs.

Figure / free skate track

Continues into jumps, spins, and moves in the field for skaters headed toward figure skating. Freestyle (open practice) ice is where they log repetitions.

Leads to: Freestyle & figure skating ice.

How to tell your child's level:if they're under 6 and new to ice, they start in Snowplow Sam. Older beginners start in Basic 1. Most programs will place your child after a first class — you don't have to guess. The cheapest way to move up faster is more ice time: public skating and Learn to Skate practice sessions.

Find Learn to Skate near you →Next: USA Hockey levels →

Curriculum summarized from Learn to Skate USA (learntoskateusa.com). Levels and names follow their official program; confirm exact class offerings with your rink.