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!

The season has been expanded to 24 weeks, starting in September instead of October, for more time on the ice and greater opportunities for development.

Ice Times:

Mondays from 3:45 - 5:45pm
Wednesdays from 5:00 - 7:00pm

Full Season (24 weeks):

September 8th to March 21st

PLEASE REFERENCE OUR FULL SEASON SCHEDULE FOR DETAILS

Regular Price: $915

Early Bird Price: $865

Early Bird: Register between August 1st and August 31st to receive a $50 discount per skater, AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED AT CHECKOUT.

Duration: 48 Sessions
Cost per 2-Hour Session: $19.06 ($18.02 - Early Bird)

ADDITIONAL FEES/COSTS

Skate Canada Membership Fee
$61.65

This mandatory, non-refundable fee is applied to all skaters annually. It covers Skate Canada registration, insurance, and participation in sanctioned programs and events.

This fee is regulated and enforced by Skate Canada, and includes:

Safe Sport Fee - $5
Skate Canada Registrant Fee - $28
AB/NWT/NU Section Registrant Fee - $28
Inquiry Benefit - $0.65

What is StarSkate?

StarSkate is Skate Canada’s nationally recognized figure skating development program, designed for skaters who have progressed beyond CanSkate and are ready to advance their skills in a more focused training environment. Skaters learn and refine skills in four main areas: free skate, skating skills, ice dance, and interpretive, working through the STAR 1–Gold levels.

The program offers opportunities for testing, competition, and personal achievement. Assessments in STAR 1–5 are coach evaluated, while STAR 6–Gold assessments are completed in front of certified evaluators. With a strong emphasis on goal setting, individual development, and skill mastery, StarSkate supports long-term success in both recreational and competitive pathways.

Who Can Register?

StarSkate is open to skaters who have successfully completed CanSkate Stage 5 or 6 and are ready for more advanced instruction. DFSC coaches will advise families when a skater is ready to move up from ITS based on individual progress.

New participants begin at the STAR 1 level and work their way through the progression as skills are developed.

If your skater is transferring from another club and has already participated in StarSkate, please contact us at didsburyfsc@gmail.com to ensure proper placement and coaching support.

Program Structure

DFSC’s StarSkate program runs for 24 weeks, beginning in September and ending in March, with a total of 48 two-hour sessions throughout the season. Each session includes a mix of group lessons, private or semi-private coaching, and time for independent practice. Skaters develop advanced skills in free skate, skills, dance, and interpretive, and may participate in Skate Canada assessments when ready.

Private coaching is a required component of the StarSkate program and is arranged directly between families and coaches. Coaching fees are billed separately and are not included in the club registration cost. Coaches work with skaters to set personalized goals and support their development throughout the season. As skaters progress, they may also have the opportunity to attend competitions, testing days, or participate in club showcases and performance events.

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 29th, the Holiday Fun Skate on December 15th, and the Carnival on March 21st.

Classes may be canceled on holidays, or due to arena availability. For example, there will be no lessons on Thanksgiving Day (October 13, 2025). We encourage families to visit our Important Dates page for a complete overview of seasonal breaks and scheduling updates.

Required Equipment

All StarSkate participants must wear figure skates that are properly fitted and sharpened. Hockey skates are not permitted at this level. First-time StarSkaters are required to wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet for their first two weeks on the ice. Once a coach approves, the helmet may be removed. At that point, we strongly recommend that skaters wear a Skating Halo (padded headband) for the remainder of the season.

Any returning StarSkate participants who wore a Halo in a previous season are required to wear it again for the first two weeks of the new season, as outlined in DFSC’s board-approved safety policy.

Skaters must dress in athletic, layered clothing that allows for movement and warmth. Bulky clothing like jeans or snow pants is not appropriate. Gloves or mittens are recommended—synthetic materials are preferred, as knit gloves tend to stick to the ice. Skate guards are also required for walking off the ice, and all skater belongings 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 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.

Still Have Questions?

We’ve designed this page to give you everything you need to know before registering for 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.