To register for any OSC program, you must first create an account. To do so, click Login at the top right hand corner of your browser, and click First Time Registering. The main account holder must be an adult of majority age and the first set of details must be for the adult/parent or guardian, including date of birth. Follow the prompts to complete your information, followed by adding your participant(s) and their information. (If possible, please refrain from using a PO box address)

Once an account is created, click on the Registration menu and find the appropriate registration season for full program information (or if you already know the program and schedule, click on the main Registration menu option). 

Find the program and follow the prompts to complete registration, including accepting and signing off on our waivers and policies. 

For any questions or if you require any help in registering, contact our Registrar. 

We accept payment by credit card - Visa or MasterCard. 

Any request to withdraw or cancel a registration must be made in writing to the Registrar. 

For a withdrawal requested before the program start date, a refund for program costs is available but will be less the non-refundable Skate Canada membership fee and a $25 administration fee. 

For a withdrawal within the first month of a program, a pro-rated refund for program costs is available but will be less the non-refundable Skate Canada Membership fee and a $25 administration fee. 

After one month of sessions, there are NO refunds or credits, unless the withdrawal/cancellation is due to an illness or injury in which case a doctors note will be required. If supplied, a prorated refund or credit is available less the non-refundable Skate Canada membership fee and a $25 administration fee. 

For the full cancellation policy, please click on our "Policies & Bylaws" page under "About Us", or click here.

The Skate Canada membership fee is a once per skating season charge ( seasons run from Sept 1st to Aug 31st of the following year) per participant and covers a skater registration with our governing body, Skate Canada and Skate Alberta, and most importantly covers the skaters liability insurance while participating in club programming.  

This fee is not kept by OSC but is sent to Skate Canada to cover the membership registration costs. This fee is non-refundable. 

OSC is not-for-profit organization and relies on volunteers to run the day-to-day business and any events or activities run by the club. This includes assisting with CanSkate, events such as annual ice shows, competition organization and day of help and the day-to-day business and general organization of the Club. 

The Volunteer policy applies to the families that have a skater or skaters involved in the Pre-Junior program and StarSkate programs. Families with one or more figure skating participant(s) that is registered with OSC as their home club are required to complete 20 credits of volunteering (1 credit typically equals 1 hour) or 10 credits for a skater only in Pre-Junior. 

For the full Volunteer policy, please click on our Policies & Bylaws page under About Us, or click here.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are unable to offer direct financial assistance. 

However, we do accept funding from external grant programs. For more information, click on "Financial Assistance" under the FAQ menu, or click here. 

CanSkate is made up of 4 parts - a perimeter fast track warm-up, circuit rotation, a group activity and a cool down. Skaters can expect to be moving up to 90% of the session and lessons will cover all 3 focus areas while in class - Balance, Control and Agility. Skaters learn skills while performing circuits which has a focus on skill progression. 

Yes! Our CanSkate and PowerSkate classes are very popular and will fill quickly. We recommend claiming a spot for your skater(s) early to avoid missing out. If a session is full, please add your skater to the waitlist. If space becomes available, you will be contacted. 

For all OSC learn to skate programs (CanSkate, Pre-CanSkate, Teen/Adult CanSkate and Parent & Tot), participants must wear skates, a CSA-approved helmet and gloves. 

For PrePower, the same equipment or optionally, participants may wear their full hockey gear.

For PowerSkate, full gear including a CSA approved helmet, stick and water bottle is mandatory.

For full equipment requirements, visit the applicable Program page under the menu, "Programs" menu. 

For learn-to-skate level programs, we recommend proper hockey or figure skates. While plastic or character skates are acceptable, starting off with the proper equipment enures injury prevention and safety. Poorly fitted skates can lead to bad habits and can lead to poor skating performance, while well-fitted skates and equipment set-up skaters up for success. 

Hockey Skates:

• Fit: Avoid buying skates that are too large, as they can impede blade control and lead to accidents. Boots should fit snugly but not overly tight. 
• The Finger Test: To check the fit, lace up the skate securely, ensuring it is snug but not overly tight, then have the skater lean forward and bend their knees (as in a hockey stance), and check the gap between the heel and the skate. If only one finger fits, the size is correct. If more than one finger fits, the skates are too large. 

Figure Skates (for advanced figure skates, scroll down to the Figure Skating section): 

• Fit: Look for a snug fit with minimal room between the heel and the skate. When trying on skates, wear the same socks used for skating to ensure proper fit.
• Stiffness: The boot should have good stiffness. When holding the skates, the skate should stand up on its own. When wearing, if there is a clear bend at the ankle or the boot bends in half,  it does not have the proper amount of support.
• Toe Pick: Ensure the toe pick is intact. Do not remove or shave it down, as it is essential for many figure skating skills. Removing any part of the pick will render the blade useless and may affect the skate's resale value. 

Used Skates:

• Boot Quality: When buying used skates, always check the quality of the booths. Look for skates that are still firm, (not flimsy) and have minimal wear and tear. 
• Blade Quality: Inspect the blade for smoothness and the absence of nicks. If unsure, consult a professional sharpener.

Sharpening:

• Frequency: Always have skates sharpened before use, whether they are new or used. More info below! 

Skate sharpening frequency depends on the activity and duration of skating. Generally, skates should be sharpened approximately after every 20-30 hours of use. However, it might be time to sharpen your skates if you notice any of the following:

• Your skater is falling frequently for no clear reason
• The skater is unable to stop
• The blades skip or "chatter" 
• Turning becomes difficult 
• You can feel or nicks, gouges or burrs when you gently run your finger along the blade
• You can see rust on the blade

We recommend having skates sharpened whenever you acquire new or used skates.

Brand new skates will not come sharpened. If you purchase skates from stores like Sport Chek, Pro Hockey Life, ProSkate, or Canadian Tire, ensure they are sharpened before use. While most of these stores (excluding Canadian Tire) provide sharpening services, we recommend Professional Skate Shop in Calgary for both hockey and figure skates, and The Skate Lab in Calgary specifically for figure skates.

CanSkate participants should wear long pants, a jacket or sweater, and gloves. We recommend dressing in layers, as skaters will get warm. Clothing should provide warmth but also allow for flexibility to ensure skaters can move freely, promoting the best skating experience.

For beginners or those in Pre-CanSkate or Parent & Tot programs, water-resistant clothing like snow pants is recommended. As skaters become more active and spend less time sitting or crawling, they can transition to more flexible and less bulky clothing.

Once a skater has achieved up to Stage 3, those interested in figure skating may be invited to join our Pre-Junior program (intro to figure skating). If there is an interest in power skating to boost hockey or ringette skills, we offer PrePower for ages 5 and up, and PowerSkate for ages 6 and up.

Our CanSkate curriculum has 6 Stages, and skaters are encouraged to continue their participation until they complete all stages. 

Ultimately, we are here to help you achieve your skating goals, whatever they may be. If your skater has any specific goals, let us know! We're here to support you.

For PrePower, participants are required to wear hockey skates, a CSA-approved hockey helmet and gloves. Optionally, skaters may wear full hockey/ringette gear if they choose. At this time, we are not allowing sticks on CanSkate sessions for safety reasons.  

For full equipment requirements, visit the PrePower Program page under the menu, "Programs", or click here. 

For PowerSkate, full gear including a CSA-approved helmet, stick and water bottle is mandatory.

For full equipment requirements, visit the Program page under the menu, "Programs", or click here. 

PowerSkate is offered 3 times per year - Fall, Winter and Spring. 

The age brackets for PowerSkate are strictly enforced. Please register your skater in the appropriate age group. If the coaches determine that your skater's skill level is suitable for a higher age group, they will make any necessary changes after observing the skater during the first class.

If you are a repeat participant in our PowerSkate program and were previously moved up, contact the Registrar.

The age brackets for PowerSkate are strictly enforced. Please register your skater in the appropriate age group. If the coaches determine that your skater's skill level is suitable for a lower age group, they will make any necessary changes after observing the skater during the first class.

If you are a repeat participant in our PowerSkate program and were previously moved down, contact the Registrar. 

The pathway to figure skating at OSC starts with CanSkate. Figure skating requires that skaters are able to perform one-foot glides on both feet, skate forwards and backwards, and effectively stop. CanSkate ensures skaters start with a strong foundation of the basic skills and terminology. 

Once a skater has achieved up to Stage 3 of CanSkate and coaches deem they are ready to move up, the OSC coaches will extend an invitation to your skater, either in their end-of-season assessment report card or directly to the skater and parent.

Following this invitation, you will receive information on how to register for the Pre-Junior program, our intro to figure skating transition program. For more information, visit our "Pathway to Figure Skating" page or the "Pre-Junior" program page.

If your skater has received formal skating lessons recently or in the past couple of years from either another recreational program or Skate Canada Club, there are several options available to transitioning into the OSC figure skating program.

The first option is to register in and participate in a session of CanSkate. Coaches will assess your skater as they continue to practice their skills in CanSkate and will advise you and your skater on the next steps. 

The second option is to book an on-ice assessment with one of our Professional Coaches. These sessions are booked based on ice and coach availability. This 10-15 minute on-ice assessment requires a skater to wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet, figure skates and gloves. To book an assessment or for more information, contact our Registrar at info@okotoksskatingclub.ca. Additional costs will apply. 

There is no specific age to start figure skating. Typically, the youngest beginner figure skaters are around age 5-7, however, you can begin figure skating at any age. The first step involves learning basics such as forward pushes/glides, backward skating, one-foot glides, and stopping.

Ultimately, the best age to start figure skating depends on the individual child's readiness, interest, and attention level. 

In the Pre-Junior program, lessons are provided by group format and registration in the program will include coaching. No further action is required to book lessons.

For the StarSkate program, when your skater is registered for a StarSkate level session (Jr, Int, Sr), lessons will be scheduled for them based on their individual goals and will be offered in a variety of lesson style including private, semi-private and group lessons. There is no further action required for you to book lessons. 

For more information, visit our Coaches page under the About Us menu, or click here. Additionally, refer to the OSC Handbook. 

In the Pre-Junior program, coaching fees are built into your registration costs and you will not be billed separately for coaching lessons. 

For the StarSkate program, coaching lessons will be billed to you on the 1st of the month following lessons. Invoices to coaches are paid directly to the coaches as directed by their invoices. 

The StarSkate program at OSC is offered year-round. Registration is available 3 times per year - Fall/Winter, Spring and Summer. 

When purchasing skates for StarSkate level skating, consider the skater's ability, foot size, skating frequency, and specific needs. The best approach is to consult with one of the OSC coaches and then visit one of our preferred vendors to speak with an expert.

Our preferred vendors are: 

• Professional Skate Shop, Calgary
• The Skate Lab, Calgary

Skates come in various types, including different boot and blade configurations.

Here are some tips for purchasing skates:

• Bring the socks you will wear while skating to your fitting.
• Take your time to try on different styles and fits. Skates are an investment, so it's important to choose wisely.
• Don't hesitate to ask for your coach's opinion. They are experts and can provide valuable advice on selecting the right skate and blade for your skater.

Proper skate care begins with regular blade sharpening. Skates should be sharpened every 20-40 hours of on-ice training. We STRONGLY recommend having your skates sharpened at businesses specializing in figure skate sharpening.

Our recommended vendors are: 

• Professional Skate Shop, Calgary
• The Skate Lab, Calgary

To protect your blades, always use hard guards when walking in your skates off-ice. After each session, thoroughly wipe the blades dry to remove any accumulated snow or ice from the blade or boot. Store skates with soft guards to prevent premature rusting and always avoid storing them in the hard guards.

For boot care, air out the skates after each use and loosen the laces sufficiently to avoid damage. Promptly clean off any noticeable marks like pen or marker to prevent staining.

Regular maintenance includes checking the screws between the blade and boot for tightness. Store your skates in a cool, dry environment—avoid leaving them in a vehicle or outdoors.

Remember, your skates are an investment. With proper care, they can last a long time and retain resale value when your skater outgrows them.