Freestyle
Freestyle sessions are structured practice time intended for skaters to work on and improve their figure skating skills. Skaters of varying skill levels and ages who are wanting to improve their skating ability, techniques, jumps, spins, footwork, and overall performance.
Online reservations are required. Drop-ins are not guaranteed.
Policies, protocol and etiquette
Visiting Guest Coaches must have approval from the facility Skating Director prior to scheduling any lessons or entering the ice rink. Guest Coach fees may be required.
- All skaters on Sno-King Arena Freestyle sessions must hold a current membership with US Figure Skating (USFS), Basic Skills Membership with Learn to Skate USA or the Ice-Skating Institute of America (ISI).
- Skaters attending freestyle sessions must always pre-register online (required) and check-in for sessions at the front desk before taking the ice. Skaters not signed in will be asked to leave the ice and will jeopardize future skating privileges.
- If freestyle skaters decide to skate additional sessions, they must first leave the ice when their registered session is over, re-register online for the additional sessions and check-in again at the front desk for the newly added sessions.
- Skaters must always adhere to posted start and stop times listed on the schedule. Straddling sessions is not allowed.
- All posted times are subject to change or may be cancelled at the discretion of the General Manager. If a skater has registered for a session that is being cancelled, every attempt will be made to notify the skater in advance and a refund will be processed.
- The hockey boxes and rink side benches are to be used by coaches and skaters only. There is to be no parent or guardian rink side, in the music box or in the hockey boxes.
- Parents, guests, and skaters NOT skating on the session may not watch or stand at the glass or benches. This is unsafe and it interferes with a constructive training session. We kindly ask that you watch from the bleachers (Kirkland and Renton) or from the balcony or upstairs viewing area (Snoqualmie).
- Coaching by parents from the balcony, bleachers, benches, or glass is NOT allowed at any time. Parents will be asked to leave the arena if this happens. The benches by the ice are to be used by the skaters and coaches only. Please allow your coach to do the coaching.
- Direct all questions and concerns about your child’s progress and development to his/her coach. Please consult your coach regarding their coaching requests, policies and procedures. Consult with your skater’s head/primary coach prior to making any coaching changes.
- Video lessons are prohibited effective February 12, 2024.
- Earpieces are not allowed on freestyle sessions without prior permission from the Skate Director. If an earpiece is approved, only one earpiece will be allowed and only on sessions with fewer than 10 skaters due to safety concerns. Skaters may be asked to remove earpieces for the safety of others at any time.
- Videotaping during freestyle sessions by anyone other than the skater’s coach is strictly prohibited unless a coach has specifically appointed someone else take the video.
- If skaters must talk to someone off the ice, even if for a brief time, they need to get off the ice to do so or the skater will be asked to leave the ice.
- If you wish to skate with your child, please do so on public sessions or on a designated family session.
- For the privacy of others, if you wish to record your child, please request permission of your coach first.
- Refunds or account credit will only be given at the discretion of facility management according to Sno-King Policy.
- Follow the counterclockwise direction of traffic unless in a lesson, program, or practicing a skill that requires the opposite direction.
- Music will be played on a fair rotation and will alternate between coaches in lessons and skaters working on a program.
- Who has the Right of Way?
- Skaters running their program with music (must wear a sash)
- Skaters in a lesson or being instructed on the harness
- Skaters setting up a jump pattern
- Spins should be done in the center of the ice between blue lines and the face off circles.
- Skaters should avoid standing in the center of the ice. Please move to the dasher boards when not moving.
- Clean up after yourself. Dispose of all tissues and water bottles when you are done skating.
- Look both ways and watch out for others at all times.
- Be patient with less experienced skaters.
- Do not skate so close to other skaters as to startle them or cause an unsafe reaction.
- No breakable containers are allowed rink side.
- Skaters, Parents, and Coaches must always show respect for each other and the facility.
- The use of headphones/earpieces on the ice is prohibited. (Please see possible exception above.)
- Parents and/or Non Sno-King coaches are not allowed to instruct skaters at any time. This includes coaching from the sidelines, balcony, or by mobile phone and other similar devices.