welcome to the academy
Join us at the GPD Skating Academy and learn to skate this year! Classes are designed for all ages, levels and abilities. Skating is fun way to exercise that teaches coordination and balance, builds muscle and endurance and promotes relief from stress.
The GPD Skating Academy utilizes the curriculum standards established in the Learn to Skate USA program. Learn to Skate USA is administered by United States Figure Skating the national governing body for the sport of figure skating.
GPD Skating Academy Mission Statement
“The GPD Skating Academy delivers the highest quality, professionally coached skating instruction in a fun and encouraging environment that builds strong foundations on which to explore and develop future skating endeavors.”
start your skating journey
New skaters with no previous instruction register for Snowplow Sam 1 (ages 4-6) Basic 1 (ages 7-12) or Teen/Adults (ages 13+) If you’re unable to register online, please print the GPD Skating Academy Registration form, complete the required information and scan/email completed form to GCIC Front Desk.
GPD Registration Form (in case you are unable to register online, you may use this form)
Skaters are encouraged to pre-register for ice registration, however, at this time walk-ons are permitted. Freestyle ice is sold on a monthly basis. All Freestyle/Low Freestyle sessions are $7, with one exception being Studio Rink Low Freestyle sessions at $5.
If you have any questions, please contact the Front Desk at 847-724-2800.
Freestyle Skating
Skaters are encouraged to pre-register for freestyle ice registration, however, walk-ons are permitted on unfilled freestyle sessions. Freestyle ice is sold on a monthly basis. All Freestyle/Low Freestyle sessions are $7, with one exception being Studio Rink Low Freestyle sessions at $5.
Links to Register:
Monthly Schedule:
November Freestyle Schedule (pdf)
December Freestyle Schedule (pdf)
If you have any questions, please contact the Front Desk at 847-724-2800 or email us at GCICfrontdesk@glenviewparks.org.
Glenview Blades (Synchronized Skating Teams):
Freestyle Step-By-Step How to Register link (photo guided step-by-step)
How to Register for Freestyle Sessions:
- Click the links in our Freestyle Registration & Schedule tab
- Navigate to the month you are looking for
- Select the appropriate freestyle or low freestyle sessions you would like to purchase by selecting the session inside the calendar date box. To see all the sessions, you may need to select the “+” sign to expand. After selecting each session, it will appear in a green box in the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Once you’ve selected all of your sessions, click the “Add to Cart” button.
You will then be taken to a screen to log in to your household. Utilize your household number and last name in all caps. You will then be able to continue to complete your transaction by selecting the skater’s name and proceeding to checkout.
Once you complete the checkout process, you’ll be sent a pdf receipt of your completed transaction.
Refunds and transfers are permitted on unfilled freestyle sessions for health, scheduling, etc. with 24 hours’ notice.
Please send a Freestyle cancellation request email to GCICfrontdesk@glenviewparks.org with:
- The skater’s name
- The originally scheduled sessions (dates + times)
- If you prefer a punch card, refund, or that the existing sessions be transferred to another date/time (list dates/times).
Please note that cancellation requests submitted outside of business hours will be subject to processing during the next scheduled business day (Mon-Fri 8:30a-5p). Refunds may take up to two weeks for processing.
Punch cards are available for purchase at our front desk in increments of 10 ($70) and 20 ($140) freestyle sessions. Punch cards can be used for walk-on ice as availability permits.
If a skater wishes to use their punch card, they will let the front desk staff know upon check-in (prior to taking the ice) that they are using their punch card for payment. Punch cards are kept at the front desk.
Please review these guidelines carefully before skating on freestyle sessions. All skaters are required to read, sign, and return this document to our front desk prior to skating on a freestyle session.
All guest coaches must have these forms on file, along with a valid certificate of insurance for the 2024-2025 season before coaching any freestyle sessions. Print/scan and email to GCICfrontdesk@glenviewparsk.org or drop off at the front desk.
class descriptions
snowplow sam 1-3
Beginner skaters aged 4-6 start at the Snowplow Sam level. Skaters will learn the basics of skating – agility, balance and coordination – in a safe, positive and encouraging environment, incorporating fun and games as they move through skill progression.
basic skills 1-6
Beginner skater age 7-12 start here at Basic 1 and work their way up through these six levels. Skaters learn basic skating fundamentals in a progression of skills that includes: forward and backward skating, beginning turns, edges, and balance moves. Strong foundations built here!
learn morepre free skate and free skate levels
After passing Basic 6, skaters move to Pre Free Skate, where they will learn beginning jumps including half-rotation jumps, flexibility and balance moves, and one foot forward and backward spins. Continuing forward in their progression, skaters will move to Bronze, Silver, Gold Free Skate and Platinum.
learn moreteen and adult
The teen and adult curriculum is designed for the beginning skater and those looking to improve their skills. Lessons are a healthy, enjoyable way to achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle. Lessons promote physical fitness and improve balance and coordination while learning proper skating techniques.
learn moreadvanced curriculum
Skaters in levels Basic 5 and up will be taught additional skills at an accelerated pace to progress through to the highest levels of the sport.
learn moreskating 101
Get some great exercise, learn fun skating skills and make new friends as you explore the sport of skating. This program is designed for new skaters who have never taken a skating class. Skaters will be divided by ages 4-6 years, 7-12, 13+. Sessions offered Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Break weeks.
Additional Skating Opportunities
annual spring ice show
Show-off the skills you’ve mastered in class to family and friends, wear a cool costume and skate to music with your friends. All GPD Skating Academy skaters enrolled in Session 3 and 4 are invited to join the biggest event of the season – the Glenview Community Ice Center’s Annual Spring Ice Show! Don’t miss out on this fun event – the highlight of your skating season. Watch for your Ice Show Invitation delivered to skaters during Session 3.
private lessons
Private lessons are available upon request. For information on private lessons, please reach out to Julie Brinskelle. We will discuss your needs, schedule and goals and facilitate the next step of getting connected with a GPD Skating Academy coach for lessons. Click here to fill out our Private Lesson Request Form.
skater accomplishments – celebrate the news!
Join us in celebrating you or your skater’s accomplishments with our seasonal GCIC newsletter! Submit the form here to share goals accomplished, tests passed, jumps landed, new skills mastered, competition awards, or news from the ice! Newsletters will be released seasonally (fall, early winter, late winter, spring, summer).
speed skating and learn to speed skate classes
Led by instructions from Northbrook Speed Skating Club, aspiring speed skaters or those just looking to try something new, can join us for seasonal Learn to Speed Skate classes and events. To view classes or register, click here. For more information about Northbrook Speed Skating Club membership and event opportunities, click here.
competitions
The Glenview Community Ice Center hosts 2 annual competitions. The Freeze is a USFS Compete USA event held in mid-February and the Chicago Open is a USFS Non-qualifying event held in late July annually. Please contact Julie Brinskelle for more information about these events.
glenview blades – synchronized skating teams
Synchronized skating is a team sport in which 8-20 skaters perform together. The Glenview Community Ice Center is proud to be home of the Glenview Blades. Our teams follow the guidelines of the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Synchronized Skating program. Clinics and tryouts for these teams occur every April/May. Click here to learn more about Glenview Blades.
The success of the Glenview Synchronized Skating teams is due in the large part to the efforts of the team families who make up the Glenview Blades Organization and our dedicated coaching staff. To show your support to our Glenview Blades skaters, visit our Spiritwear Store.
address
1851 Landwehr Rd.
Glenview, IL 60026
phone
847 724 2800
follow the glenview community ice center
