Crosby Memorial Arena Programs

Discover Our Programs

Background

Non-Prime Open Ice

Non-Prime Open Ice refers to ice time outside of peak hours. Although USC does not offer coached programming during these sessions, it is a valuable opportunity for skaters to book private lessons with their coach or practice independently in preparation for assessments or competitions. StarSkaters of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Please note that skaters who have not yet passed CanSkate must be in a private lesson under the direct supervision of a USC coach in order to participate. Contact your coach directly to arrange a lesson.
Background

Prime Open Ice

Prime Open Ice refers to peak-hour ice time, which is available at a higher cost. While USC does not offer coached programming during these sessions, they provide a valuable opportunity for private lessons with your coach or extra practice before an assessment or competition. StarSkaters of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Please note that skaters who have not yet passed CanSkate must be in a private lesson under the direct supervision of a USC coach to participate. Contact your coach directly to arrange a lesson.
Background

Pre-CanSkate

Skaters must be at least 3 years old by the registration date to participate. This program emphasizes learning through fun and is a fully instructed skating program designed for children aged 3–5. Using music, toys, and stickers, skaters are introduced to proper techniques for forward and backward skating, stopping, turning, and jumping. All skaters are required to wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet; face masks are strongly recommended. Snow pants or waterproof pants are encouraged, as skaters begin by sitting on the ice. Gloves or mittens are also mandatory. The program is taught by NCCP-certified professional Skate Canada coaches. Note: If your skater will be 5.5 years or older by the start of the program, please register them for CanSkate, even if they have no prior skating experience.
Background

CanSkate

This program is for beginner skaters ages 5yr–9yr and returning skaters working on Stages 1–4. It prepares skaters for figure skating, hockey, ringette, or recreational skating. Taught by NCCP-certified professional coaches, this fully instructed program uses music, teaching aids, and badges to teach skating fundamentals in a group format. Helmets and gloves/mittens are mandatory.
Background

IntroStar

IntroStar is designed to prepare skaters to join USC’s StarSkate sessions. Skaters complete CanSkate and begin following the PreStar curriculum. The program focuses on building the confidence and foundational skills required to join competitions or progress in the figure skating pathway.
Background

FASTTrack

FASTTrack expands on our Enhanced CanSkate program, offering committed and talented skaters a chance to train multiple days per week within the IntroStar curriculum. Skaters are evaluated in all phases of development and rated GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, or NO CONCEPT to give structured feedback and help set clear goals. For more information look below.
Background

Star Development

The Star Development program is for skaters who have passed CanSkate badge 5 or for beginners aged 10 and up. It offers an introduction to figure skating in a comfortable environment among peers with similar experience levels.
Background

StarSkate

StarSkate is Skate Canada’s program for learning figure skating skills in ice dance, skating skills, freeskate, and artistic. It includes assessments, badges, and optional competitions. Skaters develop timing, edge control, power, speed, creativity, and musicality through both private and group lessons. For more information look below.

Detailed Information

IntroStar

The goal of the program is to prepare skaters to be able to integrate themselves with USC’s StarSkate Sessions upon completion. IntroStar skaters complete CanSkate and follow the PreStar Curriculum. The goal of the program is to graduate with the skills needed to participate confidently in a competition if that is desired.

FASTTrack

The FASTTrack Program is an audition-based, accelerated program designed to transition CanSkaters into our StarSkate figure skating Program. FASTTrack strictly follows the PreStar Curriculum with Assessments happening once per term. It is a unique opportunity for skaters who demonstrate a high level of potential and dedication, allowing them to train multiple days per week as part of our IntroStar curriculum. Skaters in this program will receive a comprehensive evaluation in each phase of skill development, with assessments marked as GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, or NO CONCEPT providing clear feedback and goals.

Star Development

USC’s Star Development Program is for skaters who have finished CanSkate badge 5 or higher and know they would like to pursue learning more about figure skating. This session is also for skaters who are 10+ who are beginning skating (below CanSkate badge 5) providing a more comfortable setting with other similar skaters.

StarSkate

Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition – this is what STARSkate is all about! STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skills, freeskate and artistic skating.

The Ice Dance assessments teach timing, musicality, rhythm, interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison. Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern. The objective of the Skating Skills assessments is achievement of the basic fundamentals of skating – edge quality, control, power and speed.

Free Skate assessments consist of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music.

The artistic assessments encourage and develop skaters’ creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as the use of space, rhythm, line and style.

Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentive.

Although not mandatory, skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada assessments through a nationally standardized testing system during club organized assessment sessions, called “Assessment Days”.

At the same time, skaters may also choose to enter competitions to qualify for the Provincial Championships and higher to represent the club and potentially the Province at national events!