Welcome to smsa!
We’re excited to welcome new participants to Smoky Mountain Skating Academy along with those returning for more fun-filled instruction and activities.
Once enrolled, this page serves as your hub for first-day-of-class instructions, what to expect on the ice, and resources for parents and skaters.
🗓️ 2026 Semester Schedule
Spring: March 17 - May 10, 2026 (No Class April 5-9)
Spring/Summer: May 19 - July 14, 2026
Summer: July 14 - September 8, 2026
quick links:
things to know on your first day of class
🕐 Arrival & Check in
Please arrive 20 minutes ahead of your class start time. Check in at the registration table to collect your name tag, pick up rental skates at the counter, and locate your class color, which indicates where each class will meet on the ice. Snowplow Sam and Basic 1 skaters will meet off-ice first. Be sure to arrive only on your scheduled class day and time.
🧤 What to Wear
Clothing: Comfort and the ability to move freely is a must for new skaters. Plenty of layers along with a jacket should be worn. Sweatpants, leggings, or warm pants are better than bulky snow pants that can make it tough for the skater to bend their knees. The temperature inside the ice rink will be 55-65° F.
Gloves & Socks: Gloves help skaters stay warm and protect their hands as they learn to fall and get back up. Wear one pair of lightweight socks or thin tights. Thick socks reduce support and can cause blisters or discomfort inside the boot.
Helmets: All beginners are required to wear helmets (Snowplow Sam 1-4, Basic 1, and Hockey 1). Cool Sports/SMSA will not provide helmets. Bike or Skateboard helmets work great!
⛸️ Rental Skates
Rental skates are included with our Learn to Skate and Hockey 101 programs. If you own a personal pair of skates to use, skate sharpening is available at Cool Sports. Check the front desk for more information. Please, no double-blade skates allowed.
👀 For Parents
Unless participating in a class of their own, Parents/Guardians are not permitted to spectate on the ice, in rink doorways, or in the players' boxes. These boundaries allow skaters to stay focused and get the most out of class without distractions. Please observe classes from the bleachers or behind the glass. We appreciate your understanding and respect.
How to Tie Ice Skates
If you've never laced a pair of skates before, please watch our short tutorial to avoid discomfort or injury. Properly tied skates support the foot and ankle, and are vital to a skater's success on the ice.
Parents/Guardians/Skaters should ensure that no more than two fingers fit inside the top of the skate between the skater's leg and the tongue of the boot.
On-ice Safety tips
All skaters are expected to be mindful of their own safety and the safety of other students around them. Skaters should...
↕️ Maintain a smart, safe distance from other skaters
🛑 Stay close to the wall to wait for help and instructions
⚠️ Maintain a safe speed
👩🏫 Stay with the class and instructor in their designated class area
🧶 Ensure loose clothing or Skate Laces are Secured
🙂 Be Patient and Polite
Make-up classes & booster lessons
Making Up a Missed Class
If a skater is absent for one of their regularly scheduled classes, they may attend class on another day at any time during the semester to "make up" the missed lesson. Please note make-up classes should first be approved by the Learn to Skate Director to ensure we can accommodate you!
Get Personalized Support with Booster Lessons
Booster lessons are short, private lessons designed to give skaters a “boost” with one-on-one instruction outside of class, during Weekly Family Skate. You may speak directly to a coach of your choosing about scheduling a lesson, or contact our Learn to Skate Director, Mikaela, to be paired with an available coach. You'll pay your private coach directly and the cost for a 30-minute Booster Lesson may vary from coach to coach ($30 – $45).
FAQ
Learn to Skate USA is a nationally recognized program endorsed by U.S. Figure Skating and USA Hockey, with standardized curriculum, insurance coverage, and official participation tracking. The annual membership connects each skater to the national Learn to Skate system and participation in our program requires an active Learn to Skate USA membership ($21 annually). New participants should have incurred a one-time membership fee of $21 upon registering for the first time and SMSA will provide instructions for renewing your membership annually. If you have questions about your membership or need to obtain one, please contact mikaela@smokymountainskatingacademy.com.
All Smoky Mountain Skating Academy students gain access to our Weekly Family Skate, where families are invited to join their skaters on the ice for an hour of practice time at no additional cost. Family Skate will take place on the same day each week, but please check the SMSA Calendar to stay up-to-date with each semester's schedule.
Aspire participants will receive a punch card for four freestyle sessions at Cool Sports (at no extra cost) so they can apply their newfound skills and practice independently. Freestyle sessions are 30 minutes in length and typically held weekdays from 3:30-5:30 PM, with each half hour requiring a new session "punch". When attending, please bring your punch card and check in with the ice monitor.
Be sure to check the Cool Sports Calendar for accurate availability — look for the phrase "Club Ice".
skate with us
© 2026 Smoky Mountain Skating Academy. All Rights Reserved.