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WELCOME TO THE DIDSBURY FIGURE SKATING CLUB!

We’re more than just a skating club—we’re a community.
Join us and become part of a tradition that celebrates skill, spirit, and connection on and off the ice. 
 

NEW THIS YEAR: DRYLAND TRAINING!


Skaters will participate in weekly off-ice training sessions designed to build strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and body awareness to support their on-ice development.

Dryland training will take place on Wednesdays and is included as part of the program fees.

What is Intro to StarSkate (ITS)?

Intro to STARSkate (ITS) is the next step after CanSkate, designed for skaters who are ready to begin learning the foundational elements of figure skating in a group setting. This program bridges the gap between CanSkate and STARSkate by continuing to build core skills while introducing more advanced concepts such as jumps, spins, edge work, and early testing. ITS emphasizes fun, confidence-building, and individual growth, laying the groundwork for long-term success in figure skating.

Who Can Register?

Intro to StarSkate is open to skaters who have completed CanSkate Stage 3 and have been recommended by a DFSC coach. Coaches will advise families when a skater is ready to move up based on progress, confidence, and readiness for more advanced instruction. The only exception is for skaters transferring from another club where they were already enrolled in an Intro or Junior StarSkate program.

Program Structure

This 24-week group program includes two weekly sessions taught by certified Skate Canada coaches: a one-hour on-ice lesson on Mondays and a 1.25-hour session on Wednesdays, consisting of 15 minutes of dryland training followed by one hour on the ice. Lessons focus on developing CanSkate Stages 4–6 alongside introductory figure skating skills in a supportive, small-group environment. Skaters receive regular feedback through report cards and coach evaluations and may be introduced to testing or local competition opportunities as they progress. Private lessons may also be arranged with a coach for additional one-on-one instruction at an added cost.

Required Equipment

All skaters in the Intro to StarSkate program are required to wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet. This is a mandatory safety policy set by the DFSC Board, and helmets must be worn at all times during on-ice sessions. Please read our Helmet Policy for further details. Skaters must also wear figure skates that are properly fitted and sharpened. Clothing should be warm, athletic, and allow for full range of movement—bulky items like jeans and snowsuits are not recommended. Mittens or gloves may be worn, and we strongly suggest synthetic materials over knit gloves, which tend to stick to the ice. Skate guards are also required for walking off the ice, and all personal items should be clearly labeled.

Payment Options & Financial Support

A payment installment option is available at the time of registration. If your family requires alternate payment arrangements, please contact us at didsburyfsc@gmail.com to discuss further.

Financial assistance may be available through national programs such as Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart Individual Child Grants or KidSport Alberta. These programs help families facing financial barriers by covering part or all of the cost of registration fees for children’s sports and recreational activities.

Volunteer Commitment & Fundraising Requirements

As a non-profit club, DFSC relies on the support of its members to keep programs affordable and events running smoothly. Families with skaters in Intro to StarSkate are asked to contribute 5–10 hours of volunteer time per skater throughout the season. A $200 post-dated cheque is due on the first day of skating and will be returned once the volunteer commitment has been fulfilled. If a cheque is not received, a one-time payment authorization form will be required before your skater can step on the ice.

In addition, each skater will be issued one raffle ticket booklet as one of our annual fundraisers. The $100 cost of the booklet will be automatically added at registration. Families are welcome to sell the 10 included tickets (valued at $10 each) to recover the cost. This mandatory fundraiser helps support club operations, events, and ice time.

For full details, please visit our Fundraising Requirements and Volunteer Commitment Policy pages.

Schedule & Important Dates

Our Intro to StarSkate season runs from September to March, with 24 weeks of lessons in total.

Key dates include the Season Kick-Off Skate on September 28th, the Holiday Fun Skate on December 14th, and the Carnival on March 20th.

Classes may be canceled on holidays, or due to arena availability. For example, there will be no lessons on Thanksgiving Day (October 12, 2026), or on Remembrance Day (November 11, 2026). We encourage families to visit our Important Dates page for a complete overview of seasonal breaks and scheduling updates.

Still Have Questions?

We’ve designed this page to give you everything you need to know before registering for Intro to StarSkate. If anything’s unclear, or you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at didsburyfsc@gmail.com. We’re happy to help you get started with confidence.

 

  

 

We would like to sincerely thank the Town of Didsbury for once again supporting the Didsbury Figure Skating Club through the Community Grant Program for the 2026-2027 season.

This year’s funding will be passed directly on to our skating families through a $40 Community Grant Discount for each registered participant. The discount will be applied automatically at checkout while grant funds remain available, helping reduce the cost of registration and making our programs more accessible to local families.

The Town’s continued support over many seasons has played an important role in helping DFSC provide quality CanSkate, Intro to StarSkate, StarSkate, PowerSkate and Adult Skating programming in our community.

We are incredibly grateful for the Town’s ongoing investment in sport, recreation and community programming in Didsbury. Their support makes a meaningful difference for our club and the families we serve.