Welcome!
The Boucher Community Ice Rink is pleased to offer skate lessons for the 2025-26 season. There are several Group, Semi-private and Private options to choose from:
I - Group Lessons *
Click on each option to expand
A – Preschool Group Lessons:
Group lessons for beginning skaters ages 4-5 will be available on Wednesday afternoons. Preschool classes will focus on skating fundamentals, including rink/ice safety, starting and stopping, getting up, changing directions, and other skills. Please note that any child enrolled in a group class should be able to stand and move independently on the ice. Parents of preschool students must remain onsite for the duration of the lesson.
Sign up for lessons and payment here.
$185 for 4 lessons – each lesson is 25 minutes followed by 5 minutes free skate time, rental skates are available at $3
PREREQUISITES – Neither the instructors nor the rink staff are permitted to assist skaters in putting on helmets and/or skates
If your child is a true beginner (has never been on skates), please consider booking a few private lessons early in the season
REQUIRED – Helmets and gloves
1st Session – Wednesdays 3:15 – 3:45 Dec 10, 17 (no 24, 31) Jan 7, 14
2nd Session – Wednesdays 3:45 – 4:15 Dec 10, 17 (no 24, 31) Jan 7, 14
3rd Session – Wednesdays 3:15 – 3:45 Jan 21, 28, Feb 4, 11
4th Session – Wednesdays 3:45 – 4:15 Jan 21, 28, Feb 4, 11
Each class in a session has 1 instructor for every 7 students.
B – Elementary Age Beginner Group Lessons:
Starting Beginner Lessons – Group lessons for elementary school children, ages 5 to 10 will be available on Wednesday afternoon. Classes will focus on the following skills: falling and getting up, basic starting and stopping, basic balance on two- and one-foot glides, beginner backward skating, turning from forward to backward, and other beginner skills that the instructors deem appropriate for the class level.
$200 for 5 lessons – each lesson is 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes free skate time, rental skates are included
PREREQUISITES – Neither the instructors nor the rink staff are permitted to assist skaters in putting on helmets and/or skates.
REQUIRED – Helmets and gloves
Dec 10, 17 (no 24 or 31), Jan 7, 14, 21
1 instructor per 7 students.
Advanced Beginner Lessons – Glide into Fun with Ice Skating Lessons! Let your child experience the thrill of the ice with our Saturday morning skating lessons at NCRINK! Perfect for kids ages 5-10, who have mastered the basics and want to keep improving in a supportive, and upbeat environment. A helper is used to aid both instructors and students on the ice. What you’ll learn – Crossovers, backward skating, edge control, and turns.
$200 for 5 lessons – each lesson is 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes free skate time, rental skates are included
PREREQUISITES – Participants should already be able to skate forward across the ice, stop safely, and glide on one foot for 5 feet.
Neither the instructors nor the rink staff are permitted to assist skaters in putting on helmets and/or skates.
REQUIRED – Helmets and gloves
Saturday 9 – 10:am: Dec 13, 20 (no 27), Jan 3, 10, 17 UP to 20 students
Sign up for both Starting and Advanced Beginner Lessons via the New Canaan Parks and Rec site – click here.
1 instructor and 1 helper for up to 20 kids.
C – Older Adult Group Lessons:
Group lessons for seniors will focus on mastering skating fundamentals in a relaxed, social setting. Depending on the skill level of the class, lessons may focus on starting and stopping, changing direction, crossovers, and other skills. Instructors will work with each participant based on his or her skill and comfort level; all participants should be
comfortable moving across the ice without support. The rink will be closed to other skaters during this time. We would love to have enough participants to offer these lessons to seniors! If you are interested in group lessons for seniors, please contact the Lapham Community Center at 203-594-3620 to enroll.
$125 for 4 lessons – each lesson is 30 minutes followed by 15 minutes free skate time – rental skates are included
PREREQUISITES – Neither the instructors nor the rink staff are permitted to assist skaters in putting on helmets and/or skates.
REQUIRED – Helmets and gloves
Wednesdays 2:15 – 2:45 + 15 minutes free skate Jan 7, 14, 21, 28
1 instructor
* Additional Group Lesson Information
We will offer one makeup lesson per session for cancellations due to inclement weather. If we need to cancel a class, we will do so via email at least 30 minutes prior to the lesson start time.
The group lesson rate includes instruction and the skater’s admission to the rink for each of the classes. The rate also includes one makeup class, as needed, for cancellations due to inclement weather. Payment for the entire series is due at the time of enrollment. Skate rentals for skate sizes 11 – 5 will be available to group lesson students at $4/rental. Rental skates are included for Group B, Elementary Lessons.
II - Private and/or Semi private lessons:
III - About the Instructors
Private lessons for up to 2 skaters at a time are available during public skate times and should be arranged directly with your preferred instructor (contact information below).
Semi-private lessons (up to 3 students) are available from the start of public skate time until 3 pm, Tuesday – Friday.
Please reach out to either Kristin Burkhart OR Janine Prete (info below) to schedule private or semi-private lessons.
Janine Prete, 845-629-4612 janineprete@verizon.net
Janine is passionate about the sport of figure skating and has been coaching both children & adults from beginners to competitive skaters, for almost 18 years. She began skating at the age of 6 and trained with some of the most prestigious coaches (including National & Olympic Champions) in both Singles Figure Skating and Moves in the Field.
Kristin Burkhart, 203-219-9272
Kristin is a United States Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist. She competed and medaled at the Senior level in singles and was an Eastern and National Synchronized competitor. Kristin trained with World and Olympic coaches Peter Burrows and Tommy Litz. She has trained skaters from Basic Skills to USFS Gold Medals in Figures, Moves in the Field, Freestyle, and has worked with National Collegiate competitors. Kristin has a PhD from Fordham University and resides with her family in her beloved hometown, New Canaan.
Important for all skaters taking lessons:
Please note that all skaters must wear helmets for the duration of any lessons. Neither the instructors nor the rink staff are permitted to assist skaters in putting on helmets and/or skates. Please reach out to info.lessons@ncrink.com with any questions.