Public Ice Skating Sessions
October 12, 2024 - March 16, 2025
Skate lesson registration starts Thursday, October 3. Sign up now as spots are limited.
Below you will find information to help you prepare for your visit to the Cass Park Rink.
We are pleased to offer several Public Skating Sessions each day. Skaters may register for multiple skate sessions but will have to clear the ice and building between sessions. You may pre-register for a session up to 4 days in advance.
Please take a minute to review this information prior to your skate session:
We will post updates about skate times and special events to our Facebook page , so please be sure to “like” the page to receive updates!
Please take a minute to review this information prior to your skate session:
- We ask that skaters pre-register for their session times on Community Pass. Each session has a maximum capacity of 120 skaters. (Steps for Pre-Registering)
- Those arriving more than 10 minutes prior to a skate session should remain in their cars or wait outside the building to improve user experience and to avoid congregation of individuals.
- For those attempting to secure limited "walk in" spots, we allow (and recommend) pre-registration for all available public skating slots. Walk in spots are available ONLY IF all of our session spots have not been reserved through our online pre-registration system and will be made available only after the session has begun.
We will post updates about skate times and special events to our Facebook page , so please be sure to “like” the page to receive updates!
Public Skate Schedule
Monday: |
Tuesday - Thursday: |
Friday: |
Saturday: |
Sunday: |
11:45am - 2:15pm 2:30 - 5pm |
9:15 - 11:30am 11:45am - 2:15pm 2:30 - 5pm |
11:45am - 2:15pm 2:30 - 5pm 7:45 - 9:45pm* *There will be no Friday Night 7:45 sessions on 12/6/24 or 2/7/25. |
2:30 - 4:30pm 5 - 6:45pm 8:30 - 10pm |
2:30 - 4:30pm 5 - 6:45pm |
Age |
City & Town of Ithaca Registered Residents* (price per skate session) |
Residents of Other Areas (price per skate session) |
Infant (up to 23 months) |
FREE |
$1.00 |
Toddler (2 - 5 yrs) |
$1.00 |
$2.00 |
Child (6 -12 yrs) |
$3.00 |
$4.00 |
Student (13 -17 yrs) |
$4.00 |
$5.50 |
Adult (18 - 59 yrs) |
$5.00 |
$6.50 |
Senior (60+ yrs) |
$4.00 |
$5.50 |
*Admission fees are based on your home address. Skaters will pre-register for their sessions on Community Pass, our online registration system.
If you or your child have registered for programs through the IYB Recreation Department or Cass Park since 2014, you will already have an account in Community Pass and be able to register for a skate session ahead of time. If you have not yet registered or created an account, please click the "Register Now" button below to create your free account. You do not need to be a resident of Tompkins County to skate at Cass Park. Residents of the City and Town of Ithaca receive a discount, but proof of residency is required. You can complete address verification by contacting the Ithaca Youth Bureau at 607-273-8364 to have our staff talk you through the process. You can use the following documents to provide proof of address: driver's license, utility bill, tax bill, lease agreement, or other official document with name and address. Need help?
If you or your child have registered for programs through the IYB Recreation Department or Cass Park since 2014, you will already have an account in Community Pass and be able to register for a skate session ahead of time. If you have not yet registered or created an account, please click the "Register Now" button below to create your free account. You do not need to be a resident of Tompkins County to skate at Cass Park. Residents of the City and Town of Ithaca receive a discount, but proof of residency is required. You can complete address verification by contacting the Ithaca Youth Bureau at 607-273-8364 to have our staff talk you through the process. You can use the following documents to provide proof of address: driver's license, utility bill, tax bill, lease agreement, or other official document with name and address. Need help?
Skate Rental: $3.50/pair (Sizes Available: Toddlers 6 - Adult Men's 14)
Regular Skate Sharpening: $7.25
New or Rusty Skate Sharpening: $8.25
Skate sharpening is available during the rink season for both figure and hockey skates. If dropped off before noon, skates will be ready for pick up after 5 p.m. If they are dropped off after noon, they will be ready for pick up after 5 p.m. the following day.
Regular Skate Sharpening: $7.25
New or Rusty Skate Sharpening: $8.25
Skate sharpening is available during the rink season for both figure and hockey skates. If dropped off before noon, skates will be ready for pick up after 5 p.m. If they are dropped off after noon, they will be ready for pick up after 5 p.m. the following day.
The rink is available on a limited first-come, first-served basis (late October through early March) for Exclusive Group Skate or Rec Hockey (you must have your own equipment). All rentals are required to provide a completed NYS Forward Plan and proof of insurance. All reservations have a 1-hour minimum and will be scheduled as facility use permits. We cannot guarantee the date and time which you request. Submit a rental request here. Our team will be in touch about availability as soon as they are able.
Cass Park offers two series of lessons. Series 1 begins at the end of October or the 1st week of November. Series 2 starts early or mid-January. Lessons take place throughout the week at various times. All Tot and Child lessons are 25 minutes in length unless otherwise noted and all Adult-only classes will be 30 minutes. Registrations for lessons can be done online if you already have a verified account or by phone through the Ithaca Youth Bureau, 607-273-8364. The limit in most classes will be 6 this season.
PLEASE NOTE: Tots & Beginner classes will require a helmet for participation. For all other levels, a helmet is strongly recommended. Lessons do not require figure skates — hockey skates are permitted. Speed skates and double blade skates will not be permitted. For this season, we will provide free skate rental for each lesson for any lesson participants who do not have their own skates.
Parents and caregivers of minor participants are required to remain at the rink and available to their participant for the duration of the lesson. Participants may be excused from the class if their behavior is inappropriate or poses a safety risk to themselves or others.
Cancellations: If a lesson is cancelled, the lesson is NOT guaranteed to be made up. An effort will be made to make up a maximum of 1 lesson / class but will be dependent on staff availability and public session capacity.
A brief description of our classes offered is below. More information about lessons and series are available on Community Pass. Unsure of which class to register for next? Click here.
TOTS (ages 3-5)
Skills taught in these lessons include: improving balancing and marching, gliding on 2 feet, proper pushing technique, beginning snow plow stop, forward and backward swizzles, backward wiggles, and 2 foot hop. *A helmet will be required for participation.
TOTS 1 is now Adult & Tot – see below: for toddlers with little or no previous skating experience.
TOTS 2 is for toddlers who have had some prior skating experience in balancing and marching forward without assistance.
CHILDREN (ages 6-15)
BEGINNER has been divided into two versions:
BEGINNER 1 is for children with little or no previous skating experience. Skills taught in these classes include: balancing, marching, basic forward skating, 2 foot glide, 1 foot glide, forward swizzle, backward swizzle, backward wiggle, beginning snow plow stop. *A helmet will be required for participation.
NOTE: Children who have previous skating experience and are comfortable standing and skating forward on their own can skip Beginner 1 and sign up for Beginner 2.
BEGINNER 2 Skills taught in these classes include: basic forward skating, pushing, 2 foot glide, 1 foot glide, forward swizzle, backward swizzle, backward skating, beginning snow plow stop, and forward crossovers. *A helmet will be required for participation.
ADVANCED BEGINNER: for child skaters who have mastered the skills taught / listed in Beginner 2. Skills taught in these classes include: strong forward and backward skating, forward crossovers, 2-foot turns, snow-plow stop, hockey stop, beginning 2-foot spin, bunny hop, and beginning backwards crossovers.
INTERMEDIATE is for child skaters who have mastered the skills taught / listed in Advanced Beginner. Skills taught in these classes include: advanced forward and backward skating, advanced forward crossovers, backward crossovers, 3-turns, forward edges, and t-stop. Additionally, for those ready, any of the following: spiral, lunge, 1 foot spin, and waltz jump.
ADULT & CHILD SPECIALTY CLASSES
Adult & Tot / Child Beginner Pair Lessons - 4- or 5-week sessions
Learn to skate with your child whether it is yours, your grandchild, your niece/nephew, cousin, mentee, etc. (minimum 3 years old). 25 minute joint lesson with other adult & tot/child pairs, minimum of 3 pairs per class to run. NOTE: Adult and child must be in lessons together.
Adult & Tot (Toddlers Ages 3-5 w/ Adult):
This class is for adults with children ages 3-5 who have little to no previous skating experience. Skills taught in these lessons include: balancing and marching, gliding on 2 feet, beginning snow plow stop, forward and backward swizzles, backward wiggles, and 2 foot hop. *A helmet will be required for children’s participation.
Adult & Child Beginner (Children Ages 6-10 w/ Adult):
This class is for adults with children ages 6-10 with some previous skating experience in balancing and skating forward. Skills taught in these classes include: basic forward skating, pushing, 2 foot glide, 1 foot glide, forward swizzle, backward swizzle, backward skating, beginning snow plow stop, and forward crossovers. *A helmet will be required for children’s participation.
Adult & Child Advanced Beginner: (Children Ages 7-13 w/ Adult):
This class is for adults with children ages 7-13 who have mastered the skills taught in Adult & Child Beginner. Skills taught in these classes include: strong forward and backward skating, forward crossovers, 2-foot turns, snow-plow stop, hockey stop, beginning 2-foot spin, bunny hop, and beginning backwards crossovers.
Foundations of Figure Skating (Individual Skaters, Ages 8+, 30 min class): for those who have mastered the skills taught in Intermediate and have a strong interest in figure skating. Skills taught in these classes include: advanced backward crossovers, advanced forward and backward edges, outside and inside 3-turns, forward and back spirals, advanced 1-foot spin, advanced Waltz jump and other single jumps. NOTE: Figure skates are required for this class.
ADULTS (ages 16 & up)
Adult Beginner:
This class is for ages 16+ with little or no previous skating experience. Skills taught in these classes include: basic forward skating, pushing, 2 foot glide, 1 foot glide, forward swizzle, backward swizzle, backward skating, beginning snow plow stop, and forward crossovers.
Adult Advanced Beginner:
This class is for adults ages 16+ who have mastered the skills taught in Adult Beginner. Skills taught in these classes include: strong forward and backward skating, forward crossovers, 2-foot turns, snow-plow stop, hockey stop, beginning 2-foot spin, bunny hop, and beginning backwards crossovers.
Adult Intermediate:
This class is for adults ages 16+ who have mastered the skills taught in Adult Advanced Beginner. Skills taught in these classes include: advanced forward and backward skating, advanced forward crossovers, backward crossovers, 3-turns, forward edges, and t-stop. Additionally, for those ready, any of the following: spiral, lunge, 1 foot spin, and waltz jump.
PLEASE NOTE: Tots & Beginner classes will require a helmet for participation. For all other levels, a helmet is strongly recommended. Lessons do not require figure skates — hockey skates are permitted. Speed skates and double blade skates will not be permitted. For this season, we will provide free skate rental for each lesson for any lesson participants who do not have their own skates.
Parents and caregivers of minor participants are required to remain at the rink and available to their participant for the duration of the lesson. Participants may be excused from the class if their behavior is inappropriate or poses a safety risk to themselves or others.
Cancellations: If a lesson is cancelled, the lesson is NOT guaranteed to be made up. An effort will be made to make up a maximum of 1 lesson / class but will be dependent on staff availability and public session capacity.
A brief description of our classes offered is below. More information about lessons and series are available on Community Pass. Unsure of which class to register for next? Click here.
TOTS (ages 3-5)
Skills taught in these lessons include: improving balancing and marching, gliding on 2 feet, proper pushing technique, beginning snow plow stop, forward and backward swizzles, backward wiggles, and 2 foot hop. *A helmet will be required for participation.
TOTS 1 is now Adult & Tot – see below: for toddlers with little or no previous skating experience.
TOTS 2 is for toddlers who have had some prior skating experience in balancing and marching forward without assistance.
CHILDREN (ages 6-15)
BEGINNER has been divided into two versions:
BEGINNER 1 is for children with little or no previous skating experience. Skills taught in these classes include: balancing, marching, basic forward skating, 2 foot glide, 1 foot glide, forward swizzle, backward swizzle, backward wiggle, beginning snow plow stop. *A helmet will be required for participation.
NOTE: Children who have previous skating experience and are comfortable standing and skating forward on their own can skip Beginner 1 and sign up for Beginner 2.
BEGINNER 2 Skills taught in these classes include: basic forward skating, pushing, 2 foot glide, 1 foot glide, forward swizzle, backward swizzle, backward skating, beginning snow plow stop, and forward crossovers. *A helmet will be required for participation.
ADVANCED BEGINNER: for child skaters who have mastered the skills taught / listed in Beginner 2. Skills taught in these classes include: strong forward and backward skating, forward crossovers, 2-foot turns, snow-plow stop, hockey stop, beginning 2-foot spin, bunny hop, and beginning backwards crossovers.
INTERMEDIATE is for child skaters who have mastered the skills taught / listed in Advanced Beginner. Skills taught in these classes include: advanced forward and backward skating, advanced forward crossovers, backward crossovers, 3-turns, forward edges, and t-stop. Additionally, for those ready, any of the following: spiral, lunge, 1 foot spin, and waltz jump.
ADULT & CHILD SPECIALTY CLASSES
Adult & Tot / Child Beginner Pair Lessons - 4- or 5-week sessions
Learn to skate with your child whether it is yours, your grandchild, your niece/nephew, cousin, mentee, etc. (minimum 3 years old). 25 minute joint lesson with other adult & tot/child pairs, minimum of 3 pairs per class to run. NOTE: Adult and child must be in lessons together.
Adult & Tot (Toddlers Ages 3-5 w/ Adult):
This class is for adults with children ages 3-5 who have little to no previous skating experience. Skills taught in these lessons include: balancing and marching, gliding on 2 feet, beginning snow plow stop, forward and backward swizzles, backward wiggles, and 2 foot hop. *A helmet will be required for children’s participation.
Adult & Child Beginner (Children Ages 6-10 w/ Adult):
This class is for adults with children ages 6-10 with some previous skating experience in balancing and skating forward. Skills taught in these classes include: basic forward skating, pushing, 2 foot glide, 1 foot glide, forward swizzle, backward swizzle, backward skating, beginning snow plow stop, and forward crossovers. *A helmet will be required for children’s participation.
Adult & Child Advanced Beginner: (Children Ages 7-13 w/ Adult):
This class is for adults with children ages 7-13 who have mastered the skills taught in Adult & Child Beginner. Skills taught in these classes include: strong forward and backward skating, forward crossovers, 2-foot turns, snow-plow stop, hockey stop, beginning 2-foot spin, bunny hop, and beginning backwards crossovers.
Foundations of Figure Skating (Individual Skaters, Ages 8+, 30 min class): for those who have mastered the skills taught in Intermediate and have a strong interest in figure skating. Skills taught in these classes include: advanced backward crossovers, advanced forward and backward edges, outside and inside 3-turns, forward and back spirals, advanced 1-foot spin, advanced Waltz jump and other single jumps. NOTE: Figure skates are required for this class.
ADULTS (ages 16 & up)
Adult Beginner:
This class is for ages 16+ with little or no previous skating experience. Skills taught in these classes include: basic forward skating, pushing, 2 foot glide, 1 foot glide, forward swizzle, backward swizzle, backward skating, beginning snow plow stop, and forward crossovers.
Adult Advanced Beginner:
This class is for adults ages 16+ who have mastered the skills taught in Adult Beginner. Skills taught in these classes include: strong forward and backward skating, forward crossovers, 2-foot turns, snow-plow stop, hockey stop, beginning 2-foot spin, bunny hop, and beginning backwards crossovers.
Adult Intermediate:
This class is for adults ages 16+ who have mastered the skills taught in Adult Advanced Beginner. Skills taught in these classes include: advanced forward and backward skating, advanced forward crossovers, backward crossovers, 3-turns, forward edges, and t-stop. Additionally, for those ready, any of the following: spiral, lunge, 1 foot spin, and waltz jump.
The rink is available for use by organizations and groups with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 50 during public skate sessions at a group rate if pre-scheduled and corresponding form and deposit is made a minimum of 10 days prior. Space is limited! Contact Cass Park for more information. Please Note: Group rates are not available for the Saturday or Sunday 2:30pm and 5pm sessions.
The rink is available for use by organizations and groups with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 50 during public skate sessions at a group rate if pre-scheduled and corresponding form and deposit is made a minimum of 10 days prior. Space is limited! Contact Cass Park for more information. Please Note: Group rates are not available for the Saturday or Sunday 2:30pm and 5pm sessions.
Cass Park Rink Rules
- Speed skates are prohibited unless protected with a toe guard.
- All skaters must skate in the same direction as specified by rink staff.
- Backwards skating is discouraged, especially during busy sessions– and is allowed at the manager/skate guard’s discretion.
- Center of ice may be used for figure skating and practice. While figure skating, skates must be kept at knee height of the skater or lower.
- Skaters are not permitted to congregate on the ice, especially along the boards. No sitting on the boards
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at the rink; also skating under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is prohibited.
- No food or drink is permitted on the ice or in the boxes.
- No smoking on or around the rink and boxes.
- Chains, whips, trains, sliding, tag and horseplay are prohibited.
- No throwing snowballs, hats or other objects on the ice.
- No one is allowed on the ice without skates on. No strollers.
- Carrying children on the ice is prohibited.
- Use of hockey sticks and pucks are prohibited during public skating.
- Place recycling / trash in the appropriate bins provided.
- Stay on ice and rubber flooring while wearing rental skates.
- When returning rental skates, the blades must be wiped dry and the laces must be tucked into the boots.
- Foul/inappropriate language and/or behavior will not be tolerated.
- Use of protective equipment such as helmets, pads and guards are strongly encouraged.
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