Now that Mammoth Lakes has a brand new ice rink, many locals and visitors are excited to try it out! But, if you’ve never skated before or it’s been quite a while since you’ve been on the ice, you might be wondering how to make your first time back more successful (i.e. less painful!)
Let’s take a look at some helpful tips to start ice skating!
Step One: Dress for success
Having the right wardrobe will keep you warm, unrestricted, and even a little protected from falls on the ice. So, make sure to have these essentials:
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Gloves. They’ll keep you warm and cushion your fall!
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Comfortable pants, such as running pants or leggings. Jeans may be warm but they’re too restrictive. Stick with something comfortable and not too flowy.
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Medium-weight sweatshirt or wool sweater. You want something that is warm enough to keep you toasty but breathable enough that you won't overheat on the ice. Even if you ski or snowboard in a t-shirt on sunny days, cover up those arms to prevent ice burns.
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Long socks. Ideally, you want socks that will come up over the top of the skates. They shouldn’t be too bulky, otherwise you won’t get a good grip.
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(Optional) Ice skating pads. Cushioning gear is especially recommended for anyone looking to try jumps or those who may sustain more serious injuries from a fall, such as elderly skaters or anyone with a previous injury.
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Perfectly fitted skates. The right skates will hug your foot and ankle, providing support that can feel restrictive at first. In other words, they should feel plenty snug without being painfully tight. Try on a few different sizes to see what feels most secure.
Step Two: Find the right skate time
Because it just opened, the LA Kings Ice at Mammoth Lakes center is probably going to be pretty crowded for a while! But, if you can schedule an early morning skating session, you should be able to enjoy a less populated rink!
Keep in mind that the ice is easiest to skate right after it’s been cleaned. So, you might also call ahead to ask how crowded the rink is currently and when it was last resurfaced.
Step Three: Consider booking a lesson
One of the fastest and safest ways to learn how to skate is to get lessons from a pro. Our new ice rink offers group and private lessons for both kids and adults.
Step Four: Work on finding your center of gravity
Once you’ve arrived at the rink and laced up, take a few moments to warm up before getting on the ice. This is as simple as walking around a bit in your skates. Try shifting your weight from one leg to the other, bending and straightening your legs, and turning your upper body to look in one direction and then the other.
The purpose of these exercises is to find your center of gravity. When skating, you’ll always want to maintain alignment between your head, your pelvis, and your ankles. If you lean too far in one direction, you’re likely to fall. Having a soft bend in your knees will allow you to make small adjustments to keep that center of gravity directly over your skates.
Step Five: Don’t feel ashamed to stick close to the wall
It’s going to take you some time to get used to being on the ice. And there’s no shame in putting a hand on the wall to maintain balance. It’s recommended, though, to try keeping your center of gravity over those skates, not on your hand that’s on the wall. That will make it easier to eventually lift and float your hand over the railing. As you get more comfortable, push yourself to rely less and less on the wall.
Step Six: Practice swizzling
In ice skating, swizzling is a beginner’s technique in which you propel yourself forward with both feet. Because you have both skates on the ice at all times, it will be easier to play around with speed without feeling too unbalanced.
Start with your heels together in a “v” position and then glide your feet away from each other to about hip distance apart. Then, gently angle your toes back towards each other, and repeat. It will make something like a 60’s style wavy line behind you!
Step Seven: Practice stopping
Just as with skiing, snowboarding, or mountain biking, stopping is a crucial skill in ice skating! The simplest form of stopping for beginners is called the T-Stop.
To do this, shift your weight to your more stable leg and keep that foot angled forward. Then, you’ll bring the other foot directly behind and perpendicular to the front foot (this gives you the T shape.) The heel of your front foot should sit close to the inner arch of your back foot. In this way, the blade of your back skate drags against the ice to slow and stop you.
Something important to keep in mind with this stop is that you’ll want to keep your hips and shoulders squared in the direction of your momentum. Otherwise, your skates will follow your hips and you’ll spin out.
Step Eight: Pick up some speed
Skating is one of those things that often feels more stable when you’re able to pick up momentum, kind of like riding a bike. So, as soon as you start feeling comfortable on your skates, don’t be afraid to put the pedal to the metal a bit! At this point, you can start playing around with more traditional skating techniques. Shift your weight from leg to leg as you go, pushing yourself forward with your back leg as you would on a scooter.
Step Nine: When you fall, try getting up yourself
If you really want to get better at ice skating, falling is par for the course. But, when you do fall, try to resist overthinking it or waiting for someone to help you (unless you’ve injured yourself.)
Instead, think of it this way. Standing up on your own is another opportunity for you to explore different movements on your skates. After all, your body is constantly adjusting to its new environment, so even getting up can be useful in becoming a more comfortable skater. Use the wall if you need to, but refocus on your center of gravity, and get yourself back on two feet.
Step Ten: Don’t overdo it
Ice skating is a lot more physically taxing than most people realize. So, even if you feel like you’re doing well, give yourself frequent breaks. This is a good chance to give those knees a rest and stay hydrated!
Are you ready to try ice skating in Mammoth Lakes?
We’re thrilled to have a brand new ice rink to enjoy one of our favorite winter sports. And we hope you are too! We’ll see you on the ice!
Looking for a soft place to land after a day of ice skating? Book a condo at Mammoth Mountain Reservations for your next trip to the mountains!