No experience needed. No fancy gear required. PHFSC welcomes skaters of every age and ability — and we'll meet you wherever you are.
Most new skaters start with the Aspire program — group lessons that build skills step by step. If you'd rather go straight to one-on-one, you can skip the Aspire program and book a professional coach.
Small-group lessons taught by PHFSC professional coaches. Structured curriculum — Snowplow Sam through Basic 1–6 and into the Aspire 1–4 levels. Earn a USFS badge for every level passed.
Looking for private lessons? Start one-on-one with a PHFSC professional coach and customize your skating plans. You arrange the lessons directly with the coach; ice time is still booked through the club at registration.
Many skaters do both: start in the Aspire program to build fundamentals, then add a private coach somewhere along the way — usually by the time they reach the Aspire levels.
No need to identify your disciplines yet! It's the perfect time to get started with group lessons.
Register for the next Aspire program session.
Park, lace up, and meet your group on the ice. Let's start working on fundamental skills.
Aspire Director will place your skater at the right group level.
Skaters pass each level as they progress. There are 11 levels in the Aspire program, each with its own USFS badge.
Most skaters move into one-on-one lessons by the time they reach the Aspire levels. It's not required, but it accelerates progress and is the path into testing and competition.
Leather skates are preferred for better support, but recreational skates work fine to start.
Recommended for beginner skaters, especially during the early levels. A bike or hockey helmet is fine.
The ice is cold — dress in layers you can shed. Gloves protect hands during falls.
Everyone falls — even our coaches do. Falling and getting back up is part of learning and making progress.
For specific shop recommendations — Glacier Pointe (see Steve), Detroit Custom Skate Shop, Podium Skates — see the full FAQ.
No. The Aspire program is taught as a small group by PHFSC coaches and Ice Captains. A dedicated private coach is the next step once a skater is ready, usually by the Aspire levels — but it isn't required.
No. The Aspire program is for skaters age 3 and up — kids, teens, and adults are all welcome. Skaters are grouped by skill level, not just age.
Great — they'll be placed at the right level on the first day. Or they can skip group lessons entirely and start with a private coach. See our coaches and reach out to whoever fits best.
Make sure to provide an up-to-date email address on your registration form. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check the News and Calendar pages here.
Two things happen — and the order matters. First, you arrange the lessons themselves directly with a coach: schedule, rate, and goals are between you and them, and you pay the coach directly. Second, you book the ice time through PHFSC, like any other session — when club registration opens, you sign up for the sessions you and your coach already agreed on. So lessons aren't booked through the club, but the ice you take them on still is. Coordinate desired times with your coach BEFORE registration opens so you sign up for the right slots. Important to know: your lesson takes place DURING your booked ice slot — it doesn't add extra time. So if you book a 45-minute ice session and take a 15-minute lesson during it, the other 30 minutes is yours for solo practice. Book longer ice slots than your lesson length whenever you want more solo practice on the ice. (This is only possible for private lesson skaters. Aspire program participants have their group session time only — they can't separately add ice for solo practice.) A skater is ready for private lessons after completing the Aspire program or whenever a parent feels their child would benefit from one-on-one instruction. Skaters working with a private coach are eligible for testing and competitions.
There are two separate costs and they don't overlap. (1) Ice time is paid to PHFSC at registration — this covers the ice slot only and does NOT include the coach. (2) Lessons are paid directly to the coach, who charges a per-lesson fee. Coach rates vary, so ask each coach for their rate. Quick example: book a 60-minute ice session, take a 30-minute lesson during it, and use the other 30 minutes for solo practice — you pay PHFSC for the full 60-minute ice slot AND the coach for the 30-minute lesson. Private lesson skaters can deliberately book more ice than lesson time to get more practice in. (Aspire program participants only have their group session time; extra practice ice is a private-lesson perk.)
PHFSC membership is $100/year. A 10-week Aspire session is included for members. Private lessons add two separate costs that don't overlap: (1) ice time paid to PHFSC at registration — this covers the ice slot only and does NOT cover the coach; and (2) a per-lesson fee paid directly to the coach (rates vary by coach).
For LTS skaters: check with the LTS Director for used skates first — fit matters more than newness, so confirm with your coach before buying. Local shops our families have used include Dancer's World (Fort Gratiot), Jones Skate Shop (Detroit), and Podium Skates (Garden City). For sharpening, Steve Harris at Glacier Pointe sharpens figure skates; some skaters also use Jones at the Detroit Skate Club, Podium, or go over to Canada.
The fastest way to get unstuck is to email or call the club. We're happy to walk you through it.
