CanSkate is Skate Canada's flagship learn-to-skate program for beginners of all ages that teach fundamental movements and basic skills. The program is set up in seven stages. The CanSkate program emphasizes fun and continuous movement and is taught in a group lesson format. CanSkate is taught be Skate Canada Professional Coaches and assisted by trained Program Assistants. Awards and incentives are used to motivate skaters to achieve and develop their skills as well as to keep interest high. CanSkate is a feeder program to all other Skate Canada programs.

The CanSkate program is structured in a grid-format, consisting of the development of six fundamental moves: GO forward, GO backwards, STOP, TURN, SPIN and JUMP organized in six stages of learning. The skills are arranged in progressions, from very simple to the more complex. Each stage has a primary focus.

The average number of skaters on the ice during a CanSkate program is 60. Our club provides a 10 minute group lesson (group size generally about 10 children per group), a 10 minute practice time and a 10 minute circuit end for each of the CanSkate Level 2 sessions.

STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, freeskate and interpretive skating. This program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system.

IntroStarSkate Skaters participate in this program, which are at stage 6/7 or higher. These skaters start the Skate Canada Test Program which offers opportunities for skaters to develop basic to advanced skating skills in four different areas: Interpretive,  Dance, Free Skating and Skating Skills. These skills are grouped into the following levels:

Order of tests: A candidate for a test must have passed all of the preceding tests in the same category in each of the disciplines.

Competitive skating can be fun and challenging for athletes seeking to hone their skills in a competitive environment. While progression to higher levels of competition and increased proficiencies are the ultimate goal, skaters, parents and coaches alike should never lose sight of what is truly important - the personal growth and development of the athlete and the enjoyment of the sport.

 Skaters wanting to be eligible to compete in the qualifying event stream (Regionals, Sectionals,Challenge Competitions, BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships and Canada Winter Games) must take tests specific to their competitive discipline. Competitive tests standardize the level of competitors across the country. Skaters may enter Competitive Skate at any time, and may choose to switch to another Skate Canada programs at any time.

Synchronized skating is a specialized branch of skating distinct from the other figure skating disciplines. It generally involves a group of 8 or more skaters performing various group formations and maneuvers. 'Synchronized' refers to the importance of unison, the accuracy of the formations and the synchronization of the team. A well balanced synchronized skating program contains maneuvers such as circles, lines, blocks, wheels and intersections. The difficulty level of these maneuvers is enhanced by step sequences, free skating moves, holds and transitions incorporated into or between each of these maneuvers during the program.