Humans invented ice-skating long ago, following many unsuccessful attempts to back-handspring across the Bering Land Bridge. Traverse uncharted frosty terrain with today’s Groupon: for $30, you get a six-week Learn to Skate session at Wichita Ice Center (a $60 value). Registration ends July 15; call ahead to reserve your spot.
Wichita Ice Center’s Learn to Skate program imbues low-temperature-sports enthusiasts aged 2.5 and older with the knowledge necessary to skate with precision and grace. Following a basic- through advanced-level curriculum designed by the U.S. Figure Skating Association, a skilled instructor stuffs the minds of budding winter Olympians with basic ice skills, such as turning, stopping, and swan sculpting. Each one-hour lesson includes skate rental and a skill badge for the test level completed, suitable for framing or stitching to a beloved teddy bear. Lessons are split into two parts, with 30 minutes dedicated to instruction and 30 minutes set aside for practice. Small class sizes of up to eight gliders ensure each student gets plenty of personal attention and ample room for flailing arms. Along with Tuesday afternoon sessions, Wichita Ice Center holds Learn to Skate lessons on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Check the schedule for details.
Wichita Ice Center
At Wichita Ice Center, ice skaters glide and pirouette on Olympic- and NHL-size rinks during classes, league sessions, and open-skating hours. Several full-length viewing windows span the length of each rink, enabling parents and loyal fans to peer in on class sessions without having vision blurred by clouds of foggy breath. The ice center’s instructors teach adults as well as children 2.5 years and older. Their curriculum follows a structure promoted by the United States Figure Skating Association and—like lessons on how to be a polar bear—includes both on-ice and classroom instruction.