Frequently
Asked Questions
Weekly Lessons
Before entry all skaters must have their equipment on, including their skates and helmet.
The first THREE WEEKS of every season parents & spectators are not allowed entry into the building for any reason. We need time to organize our session, so please put your trust in us while we are hard at work! The first couple weeks of a season are a time for us to assess and group the skaters. In order to ensure and to maintain our quality of instruction and for this to be done in a timely manner, please allow us time to do this.
From Week 4 and onward of every season: Once your skater is dropped off at the designated rink door, parents & spectators are allowed entry into the building and can watch from the viewing gallery upstairs only and not the balcony.
Parents & spectators are not allowed entry into the ice rink area for any reason. You will be asked to leave if you enter the ice rink area.
We will direct you on the entrance to use when registration is complete. This entrance will be used for dropping off and picking up skater(s). We ask everyone to avoid using the lobby entrance. If you do not know which entrance to use please call us a few days before your lesson so we can direct you. Phone calls just before lessons are beginning will not be answered, as we will be busy coordinating the day of.
We will open the doors right at your lesson time to let your skater in and at the end of your lesson time we ask all of you to meet at the same door to pick your skater up ON TIME. We ask you to make this transition as smooth as possible and to not block the doorway so we can get all the skaters on the ice in a timely manner.
We recommend you come at least 30 minutes earlier in order to understand the procedures and to get signed in.
Ice Dreams Skating Academy operates year round lessons. Each season starts and finishes on the following months:
- FALL: October – December
- WINTER: January – late March
- SPRING: April – June
- SUMMER: June – August
- WINTER BREAK CAMP: In December
- MARCH BREAK CAMP: In March
- SUMMER CAMP: Throughout the months of July and August.
Ice Dreams Skating Academy operates year round lessons.
Enrolment is accepted on a first come first serve basis. Registration is open at anytime as long as the group being requested is not full. An administration fee applies to all late registrations after the start of the season.
Absolutely. In fact, we encourage you to get as much instruction and practice time as possible.
Absolutely! Ice Dreams offers TRIAL CLASSES. Skaters may participate in a Trial Class before making the commitment to enrol for the season. A fee applies depending on the Program being Trialed. Trial Class fees are non-refundable and must be paid in full prior to the start of the lesson.
A Trial Class may be taken ONLY if space in the class permits. Participation in a Trial Class does not reserve a spot in the class.
Any additional fees are strictly optional and include:
- End of Season Medal for Medal Ceremony
- Private and Semi-Private Lesson Ticket Option. Click Here.
- Tuition Refund Option
Registration at Ice Dreams means a commitment to the season as well as a commitment to all registration and withdrawal policies. All lesson fees are non-refundable once the season has started. If your child is uncertain, we recommend they participate in a Trial Class before enrolling. Please remember that it is tough to assess a first time skater on the first day as it does take time to ease into an unfamiliar environment, such as being on the ice. They all end up loving it in time!
Ice Dreams Skating Academy offers a wide variety of programs from beginner to advanced for all ages which all compliment each other. Please review our Programs to gain some knowledge on what each discipline offers and which would suit the skater best. If your skater plays hockey, we highly recommend that they take one of our Hockey Skills Academy Programs or one of our Ultimate Power Skating Programs in order to strengthen their game playing skills.
Ice Dreams Skating Academy Offers Programs for all skill levels (ages 2 – 18) and Adult Classes. If your skater has taken skating classes somewhere else, when registering please mark down to the best of your knowledge what level you feel they should be in based on our level descriptions. On the first day of the season we assess the skaters and group them by level and age.
If your skater has NO experience, we recommend enrolling in an age appropriate group. Either Learn To Skate Level 1 or Preschool BRONZE.
Skaters will be instructed for the entire season and will be evaluated based on the skills in that level near the end of the season. We will then suggest which level to enrol for the next season. Skaters will be rewarded with a MEDAL CEREMONY (an optional Add-on) to recognize their achievements and to motivate them to go further. If a skater must repeat his/her level again, it is in order to improve their skating ability.
Our Learn to Skate program is a Full Hour. Skaters will receive a 5 minute group warm up, a 45 minute group instruction with a coach and 10 minutes of game time (catch the teacher, hockey and more).
Coaches will normally make recommendations to parents. Parents are also welcome to ask if they feel their child is ready to take their skill to the next level. We like to progress our skaters as quickly as possible. We will not hold your skater back during the season if we feel they should be at another level.
We accept all levels of skaters from beginner to advanced, and we group the skaters according to their skill level and age on the first day.
Due to our high enrolment rate and in order to ensure and to maintain our quality of instruction, we cannot schedule make-ups during other classes.
Our program packages are prorated after Week 2 and onwards. If you miss the first week we do not prorate the fee. A $25 administrative fee is applied to all late registrations.
All weekly lesson fees are non-refundable once the season has started unless you choose to opt in to the Tuition Refund Option, which allows for a proportional refund of program fee for days missed within the first 21 DAYS of the start of the season during the season as a result of illness, vacation, no interest or injury. When you register for our weekly programs, we are holding the spot for you. A $50 non-refundable fee will apply to each registrant who cancels prior to the start of the season. This only applies to when the season is set to start and end on the set days and not if the season has to be postponed in the event of restrictions or a lock down. A credit will be applied to a skater for medical reasons with a doctor’s certificate ONLY. Credits are only held until the next official season and a $50 administrative non-refundable fee will apply to all credits. In the event of a lockdown credits will be in the form of a monetary value and not a refund.
The Tuition Refund Option allows for a proportional refund of program fee for days missed within the first 21 DAYS of the start of the season during the season as a result of illness, vacation, no interest or injury. The Tuition Refund Option only allows for a refund for the program fee and NOT for Private Lessons.
In order to secure a spot with Ice Dreams Skating Academy, payment must be received in full. We will not consider your enrolment if payment or a portion of payment has only been made.
Lessons are not transferable between siblings, family members or friends.
During lessons and camps, digital media may be taken for media or marketing purposes. By registering, the parent/guardian/skater hereby releases the right to use any photo and video materials for promotional, instructional and educational purposes for the programs which operate under Ice Dreams Skating Academy / Ice Dreams Skating Academy Inc. / 1856380 Ontario Inc. and its associated partners, while participating in the program without limitation on time or frequency. These photos may be used in program brochures, photo displays, and on our Ice Dreams Skating Academy / Ice Dreams Skating Academy Inc. / 1856380 Ontario Inc. website and social media. We will not release any full names or give any other information out regarding the identification of individuals in the photos without their prior consent. We will not use your photo or video if directly specified by the Parent/Guardian/Skater.
Although we do understand that consistency is important, instructors are not guaranteed & can change without notice.
Skaters are grouped according to level and age. Ratios and groups are set based on the coach's discretion.
We will do our best to accommodate your selection. For the purpose of a smooth lesson for everyone, we reserve the right to reschedule and/or adjust start times. To avoid cancelling classes, some classes may become split classes. We do ensure that the skater will be taught according to their skill level.
Camp
It is recommended that skaters arrive within the designated check-in time. Please allow us time to get your camper signed in and make sure we have all necessary documentation. For a smooth and speedy check-in process, please have all necessary forms, deposits and meal plan payment ready.
The following deposits and forms must be completely filled out and signed before any child can participate with Ice Dreams Skating Academy at Camp:
- Registration Consent for Camp
- Payment for Camp
- Deposit of $50.00 CASH for possible equipment rental or late pick up fee.
- Day Camp Agreement, Consent & Waiver Form
- Medical Information & Medication Release Form
- Day Camp Drop off / Pick up Consent Form
Due to the high enrolment rate of our camps and the teaching process involved, there are NO make-ups for any of our camp programs both on ice and off the ice.
On the ice: Skaters are grouped according to level and age. Ratios and groups are set based on the coach's discretion.
Off the ice: Campers are grouped according to age.
Please make every effort to be on time to pick up your child. In the event that a Parent/Guardian is late to pick up a child from camp, a late fee will be charged. If you have not paid for after camp care and a child is picked up late, the after camp care fee will be withdrawn from your camp deposit. If a child is registered for after camp care and is picked up after 5:30pm, you will be charged $3.50 per minute while they are in the care of Ice Dreams Skating Academy’s staff.
Before entry all skaters must have their equipment on, including their skates and helmet.
The first THREE DAYS (lessons) of each week of every camp parents & spectators are not allowed entry into the building for any reason. We need time to organize our session, so please put your trust in us while we are hard at work! The first couple days of a camp are a time for us to assess and group the skaters. In order to ensure and to maintain our quality of instruction and for this to be done in a timely manner, please allow us time to do this.
From Lesson 4 of each week and onward of every camp: Once your skater is dropped off at the designated rink door, parents & spectators are allowed entry into the building and can watch from the viewing gallery upstairs only and not the balcony.
Parents & spectators are not allowed entry into the ice rink area for any reason. You will be asked to leave if you enter the ice rink area.
We will direct you on the entrance to use when registration is complete. This entrance will be used for dropping off and picking up skater(s). We ask everyone to avoid using the lobby entrance. If you do not know which entrance to use please call us a few days before your lesson so we can direct you. Phone calls just before lessons are beginning will not be answered, as we will be busy coordinating the day of.
We will open the doors right at your lesson time to let your skater in and at the end of your lesson time we ask all of you to meet at the same door to pick your skater up ON TIME. We ask you to make this transition as smooth as possible and to not block the doorway so we can get all the skaters on the ice in a timely manner. Parent/Guardian of skater must stick around outside the rink for the entire duration of the child’s lesson time. Our staff is responsible for getting the Day Campers ready to get on and off the ice. Due to the large volume of Day Campers, parents/guardians are responsible for getting their own children ready prior to the skater entering the building.
When you register for our Camps, we are holding the spot for you. A $50.00 non-refundable fee will apply for each week of camp for each child if you cancel prior to the start of the camp week. This only applies to when the camp is set to start and end on the set days and not if the camp has to be postponed in the event of restrictions or a lock down.
All camp fees are non-refundable unless you choose to opt in to the Tuition Refund Option, which allows for a proportional refund of camp fees for days missed during camp as a result of illness, vacation or injury. There are no refunds, no transfers and no credits without the Tuition Refund Option. Without the Tuition Refund Option - A credit will be applied to a skater during camp for severe medical reasons with a doctor’s certificate ONLY. Credits are only held until the next official camp and a $50.00 administrative non-refundable fee will apply to all credits. All sales are final for Private Lessons, Before Care, After Care, and Lunch & Snack Options during camp.
Camp fees may not be transferred to other regular weekly Ice Dreams lessons, private lessons or to other camps. Camp fees and camp days are not transferable between siblings, family members or friends. In the event of absenteeism due to illness, vacation, etc., you are still responsible for full payment of the program unless the Tuition Refund Option is purchased.
The Tuition Refund Option is a weekly option and only allows for a refund for the Camp fee and NOT for Private Lessons, Before Care, After Care, or Lunch & Snack Options. The Tuition Refund Option Policy – The Tuition Refund Option only begins and becomes effective once your camp week has started and is charged per week. This option does not allow for a full refund if you miss the whole week of camp.
During lessons and camps, digital media may be taken for media or marketing purposes. By registering, the parent/guardian/skater hereby releases the right to use any photo and video materials for promotional, instructional and educational purposes for the programs which operate under Ice Dreams Skating Academy / Ice Dreams Skating Academy Inc. / 1856380 Ontario Inc. and its associated partners, while participating in the program without limitation on time or frequency. These photos may be used in program brochures, photo displays, and on our Ice Dreams Skating Academy / Ice Dreams Skating Academy Inc. / 1856380 Ontario Inc. website and social media. We will not release any full names or give any other information out regarding the identification of individuals in the photos without their prior consent. We will not use your photo or video if directly specified by the Parent/Guardian/Skater.
Private Lessons
Skaters of all levels are encouraged to take advantage of our Private & Semi-Private Lessons which are sold in two ways:
- OPTION 1 – Private Lesson Only (Lesson Time range from 30 Minutes to 1 Hour)
- OPTION 2 – Group & Private Lesson Combination. During your skaters’ group lesson time, a coach can take them aside for some one-on-one time to ensure greater success on the ice. Lesson times can range anywhere from 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 45 minutes and are an additional fee.
- Once you schedule your private/semi-private lessons with us, these dates cannot be modified, rescheduled, credited or refunded.
- Private/Semi-Private tickets expire at the end of each season and cannot be carried over into another season.
- Reserved time slots expire after the package is complete.
- Instructors are not guaranteed & can change without notice.
- We reserve the right to reschedule and/or adjust start times.
- Lessons must be pre-booked and paid in full.
- Private/Semi-Private tickets are not transferrable between siblings, family members or friends.
- When registering for semi-private lessons, the parent/organizer is responsible for creating the group. Ice Dreams Skating Academy does not find other skaters for lessons.
- All participants in a semi-private lesson (groups of 2 or more skaters) must be in agreement when booking or canceling a lesson. There are no make-ups for a skater in a group that misses a session.
- No refunds, transfers or credits.
- Private Lesson fees are non-refundable for any reason.
- When you register for our private lessons, we are holding the spot and securing the coach for you. Once you schedule your private lessons with us these dates cannot be modified, rescheduled, credited or refunded.
Please consider this prior to enrolling for our private lessons.
Equipment
Equipment rental is available at an additional fee. The rental fee will be charged when you enroll for your program of choice. Please let us know at least 48 hours before the start of your lesson time if you would like to rent equipment as equipment is not left on site. No refunds on equipment rentals.
Once your child learns the fundamentals of skating they can then decide which avenue they would like to pursue. If it's Hockey they wear hockey skates and for Figure Skating, figure skates. Skates with laces that have proper ankle support are recommended and not skates with buckles or Velcro. Please be sure skates are sharpened before the first lesson if they have not been sharpened in a while for a more enjoyable experience.
- CSA Approved Helmets are mandatory for all skaters. A face cage on the helmet is mandatory for preschoolers and optional but recommended for the Child Learn To Skate Program and on.
- Hockey or figure skates that lace up (plastic skates with buckles do not provide the proper support).
- Blades should be single blade not double.
- It is very difficult to learn to skate on dull blades. All newly purchased skates must be sharpened.
- Waterproof gloves and layered up in clothing that is warm, dark and waterproof.
- Mitts or gloves must be worn.
- Bicycle or ski helmets are not permitted.
Skates & Helmets can be purchased at any sports store new or used.
- C.S.A. approved helmet (with ear protectors)
- C.S.A. approved facial protector (full cage or full visor)
- B.N.Q. approved throat protector (collar or bib type)
- Mouth guard
- Athletic support cup (male)
- Athletic Jill strap (female)
- Hockey pants
- Shoulder pads
- Elbow pads
- Garter belt/or jock or jill shorts
- Shin/knee pads
- Hockey gloves
- Hockey socks
- Skates
- Jersey
- Stick (right or left handed)
Figure Skaters should wear a skating dress, skirt, or bodysuit with warm tights or warm-up pants. The male skaters should wear straight-legged stretch pants and a sweater. This enables the coach to see proper body positions. Gloves should be worn for practices and warm ups. Long hair needs to be tied back. CSA Approved Helmets must be worn until consent is given.
Skates should be sharpened after every 20 – 24 hours of skating or before the start of a new skating season.
It is necessary to dry the blades each time you get off the ice to prevent the blades from rusting.
Yes, but a face cage is optional. Adults/Parents/Guardians are required to wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet.
Refund Policy
- Trial classes & Drop-In are available only in groups where there is space. If a group is full it will not be possible to attend the class.
- Only 1 Trial Class per skater.
- Trial Class fees and Drop-In Lesson fees are non-refundable and must be paid in full prior to the start of the lesson.
- A spot in a program will not be reserved for those taking Trial Classes or Drop-In Classes.
- Please remember that it is tough to assess a first time skater on the first day as it does take time to ease into an unfamiliar environment, such as being on the ice. They all end up loving it in time!
Due to our high enrolment rate and in order to ensure and to maintain our quality of instruction, we cannot schedule make-ups during other classes or camps.
Our program packages are prorated after Week 2 and onwards. If you miss the first week we do not prorate the fee. A $25 administrative fee is applied to all late registrations.
All weekly lesson fees are non-refundable once the season has started unless you choose to opt in to the Tuition Refund Option, which allows for a proportional refund of program fee for days missed within the first 21 DAYS of the start of the season during the season as a result of illness, vacation, no interest or injury. When you register for our weekly programs, we are holding the spot for you. A $50 non-refundable fee will apply to each registrant who cancels prior to the start of the season. This only applies to when the season is set to start and end on the set days and not if the season has to be postponed in the event of restrictions or a lock down. A credit will be applied to a skater for medical reasons with a doctor’s certificate ONLY. Credits are only held until the next official season and a $50 administrative non-refundable fee will apply to all credits. In the event of a lockdown credits will be in the form of a monetary value and not a refund.
All camp fees are non-refundable unless you choose to opt in to the Tuition Refund Option, which allows for a proportional refund of camp fees for days missed during camp as a result of illness, vacation or injury. There are no refunds, no transfers and no credits without the Tuition Refund Option. Without the Tuition Refund Option - A credit will be applied to a skater during camp for severe medical reasons with a doctor’s certificate ONLY. Credits are only held until the next official camp and a $50.00 administrative non-refundable fee will apply to all credits. All sales are final for Private Lessons, Before Care, After Care, and Lunch & Snack Options during camp.
The Tuition Refund Option allows for a proportional refund of program fee for days missed within the first 21 DAYS of the start of the season during the season as a result of illness, vacation, no interest or injury. The Tuition Refund Option only allows for a refund for the program fee and NOT for Private Lessons.
The Tuition Refund Option is a weekly option and only allows for a refund for the Camp fee and NOT for Private Lessons, Before Care, After Care, or Lunch & Snack Options. The Tuition Refund Option Policy – The Tuition Refund Option only begins and becomes effective once your camp week has started and is charged per week. This option does not allow for a full refund if you miss the whole week of camp.
Lessons are not transferable between siblings, family members or friends.
When you register for our Camps, we are holding the spot for you. A $50.00 non-refundable fee will apply for each week of camp for each child if you cancel prior to the start of the camp week. This only applies to when the camp is set to start and end on the set days and not if the camp has to be postponed in the event of restrictions or a lock down.
Camp fees may not be transferred to other regular weekly Ice Dreams lessons, private lessons or to other camps. Camp fees and camp days are not transferable between siblings, family members or friends. In the event of absenteeism due to illness, vacation, etc., you are still responsible for full payment of the program unless the Tuition Refund Option is purchased.
- Once you schedule your private/semi-private lessons with us, these dates cannot be modified, rescheduled, credited or refunded.
- Private/Semi-Private tickets expire at the end of each season and cannot be carried over into another season.
- Reserved time slots expire after the package is complete.
- Instructors are not guaranteed & can change without notice.
- We reserve the right to reschedule and/or adjust start times.
- Lessons must be pre-booked and paid in full.
- Private/Semi-Private tickets are not transferrable between siblings, family members or friends.
- When registering for semi-private lessons, the parent/organizer is responsible for creating the group. Ice Dreams Skating Academy does not find other skaters for lessons.
- All participants in a semi-private lesson (groups of 2 or more skaters) must be in agreement when booking or canceling a lesson. There are no make-ups for a skater in a group that misses a session.
- No refunds, transfers or credits.
- Private Lesson fees are non-refundable for any reason.
- When you register for our private lessons, we are holding the spot and securing the coach for you. Once you schedule your private lessons with us these dates cannot be modified, rescheduled, credited or refunded.
Please consider this prior to enrolling for our private lessons.