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Skating Programs

Recreational Skate Sessions

Rec Skate ice times are open skating sessions available to all experience levels and ages.

Before attending, please review the Rec Skate Policies and Procedures [PDF]. Helmets, skating aids, and rental skates (additional $5 fee) will be available at the Front Desk. For more information or accommodations, call 740.593.4623 or email campus.recreation@ohio.edu.

Rec Skate on April 8th will take place from 6pm - 8pm. 

Rec Skate   Time
Tuesday Noon-1 p.m.
Thursday Noon-1 p.m. & 10-11:30 p.m.
Saturday 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Sunday 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Type Price
OHIO Fac/Staff $5
Adult (Age 18+) $6
Child (Age 17 & Under) $5
OHIO Student Free 
Skate Rental  $5

Learn to Skate

Learn To Skate is back! Learn To Skate USA curriculum will be used for Snowplow Sam levels 1-4, Basic levels 1-6, and JR Blades/Free Skate. Skating sessions are designed to teach the basics of figure skating or recreational skating.

Learn more about different levels

Classes are available for ages 3 through Adult and include 6 weeks of ice sessions at Bird Ice Arena on either Thursdays or Saturdays. Snowplow Sam and Basic sessions will be 30 minutes each, and JR Blades/Free Skate will be 1 hour sessions. 

2022-2023 Learn To Skate Schedule

  • Spring Session- 6-week session- January 26-March 4
    • Open House- Thursday, January 19- 6:15-7:15 p.m.
    • Thursdays, 6:15-7:30 p.m.- Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 23, March 2
    • Saturdays, 10:15-11:30 a.m.- Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, Feb 25, March 4
    • Registration open November 1-January 28
  • Spring Ice Show- Saturday, April 15, 6-8 p.m.
    • Registration open February 1-March 1
  • Spring Session- 4-week session- March 23-April 15
    • No Open House
    • Thursdays, 6:15-7:30 p.m.- March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13
    • Saturdays, 10:15-11:30 a.m.- March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15
    • Registration open February 1-March 25

Register online at RecShop!

Freestyle Skate Sessions

Freestyle ice time is for scheduled private one-on-one lessons & independent skilled skating. Freestyle sessions allow skaters extra practice time to fine-tune their skills. Skaters can work independently on various skills or receive a scheduled private lesson by an outside instructor.

Skaters below the level of Basic 4 must be in a lesson with an instructor in order to skate during Freestyle ice times.

Learn more about different skating levels [PDF]

*Freestyle lessons will be hosted on 4/10, 4/17, and 4/19 from 4pm - 5pm.

*Freestyle will not be meeting on 4/13 from 5:15pm - 6pm. 

Freestyle Times
Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursdays** 5:15-7:00 p.m. (5:15-6:00 p.m. during LTS)
Fridays 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Saturdays 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Sundays 1:15-2:45 p.m.

Before attending, please review the Freestyle Policies and Procedures [PDF].

Freestyle Skate prices are listed on the Fees and Memberships page. Skaters must purchase 15 minute ice time passes in addition to private lesson fees. Bird Arena staff will be located at the ice to monitor Freestyle times and music. For more information or accommodations, call 740.593.4623 or email campus.recreation@ohio.edu.

** Thursdays during Learn To Skate sessions will run from 5:15-6 p.m.:  October 6-November 17, January 19-March 2, March 23-April 13.

Private Skate Lessons

Private lessons must be coordinated by external instructors. Instructors who are interested in providing Private Lessons at Bird Arena can find more information by reviewing our Instructor Handout Document [PDF]. For more information or accommodations, call 740.593.4623 or email skating@ohio.edu.

Skaters looking for a private lesson must coordinate lesson times and payment with an outside coach/instructor. Bird Arena will keep an active list of instructors and contact information for interested participants. Payments for private lessons must be completed directly with your coach/instructor. The 15 minute Freestyle ice time entry fees will be paid at the Front Desk with Bird Ice Arena Staff.

Example: If you have a 15 minute private ice lesson with an outside instructor, you will pay the 15 minute Freestyle entry fee at the Front Desk and will also pay your instructor directly for the lesson.

Synchronized Skating

Bird Ice Arena is the proud home for the Synchronized Skating Club team. For more information about the Synchronized Skating Club, please email OhioSynchro@ohio.edu.