CanSkate is Canada’s leading learn-to-skate program, designed for children of all ages and abilities. Whether they’re stepping onto the ice for the first time or looking to improve their basic skills, CanSkate provides a fun and supportive environment to develop essential fundamental movements and core skating techniques.

Through a nationally recognized curriculum in Skate Canada programs, skaters will learn and refine key skills such as balance, control, agility, and skating fundamentals in a structured, progressive manner. Led by experienced, certified coaches, the program is tailored to all levels – from beginners to those advancing toward figure skating, hockey, ringette, or speed skating.

With an emphasis on fitness, fun, and safety, CanSkate helps skaters build confidence while mastering the fundamentals for a lifelong enjoyment of the sport.

CanSkate is the next step for young skaters who have completed the PreCanSkate program. Beginners aged 6 and older may also choose to start directly in CanSkate, where they can learn the basic skills of skating and continue progressing.

CanSkate Requirements

All CanSkate participants must have their own skates and a CSA-certified hockey helmet, which is mandatory. Skaters may wear either hockey skates or figure skates, based on personal preference. A face cage is optional, but strongly recommended for younger skaters for added protection.

CanSkate Program

Our CanSkate program runs three days a week, with options on both the East and West sides of Saint John. The season runs from October through the end of March.

Where We Skate

• Peter Murray Arena — Monday evenings and Saturday mornings
• Stewart Hurley Arena — Wednesday evenings

Families can choose to register for one, two, or three days per week, depending on what works best for their schedule. Our coaches recommend attending at least two days per week, when possible, as regular participation helps skaters make greater progress throughout the season.

2026–2027 Season

Specific session times and registration dates will be posted once our 2026–2027 ice schedule has been finalized with the City of Saint John.

Registration Fees

Registration fees for the 2026–2027 season have not yet been finalized and will depend on the number of days per week you choose.

As a guide, the 2025–2026 fee for CanSkate one day per week for the full season was $346.30, plus $68.67 in annual Skate Canada and Skate New Brunswick fees. These annual fees are paid only once per skater, so they are not charged again if you register for another program or add another skating day during the same season.

We are working to keep any increase for the 2026–2027 season as small as possible. As a non-profit organization, we work to keep our program fees affordable while covering the costs of ice rentals, coaching, insurance, and program operations.

Final pricing will be posted as soon as it is available.

CanSkate Stages

CanSkate consists of six progressive stages, each focusing on the development of three fundamental skating skills: agility, balance, and control.

As skaters improve in each of these areas, they earn a ribbon to recognize their achievement. Once a skater has earned all three skill ribbons within a stage, they are awarded the corresponding stage badge.

Our coaches regularly assess skaters during sessions and will advance them to the next stage as soon as they are ready – there is no need to wait for the end of a season. This ensures that each skater progresses at their own pace and continues to be challenged and supported.

After completing Stage 4, skaters have the option to:

• Transition into PowerSkate if they are interested in developing skating skills for hockey or ringette, or
• Continue through Stages 5 and 6 in the CanSkate and Advanced CanSkate pathway, which prepares them for StarSkate.

No matter the path, the CanSkate program provides a solid foundation for all ice sports and helps skaters build confidence, coordination and control on the ice.