Drop-In Ice Skate & Ice Sports

Drop-In Skate: This skate is for recreational skaters looking to practice their skills on the ice or skate with friends! Beginners are welcome. No figure skating or hockey skills practice can occur during this time.

Drop-In Family Skate: Bring your family out for a skate! Children are welcome during this skate, but please note we do not offer child sized skate or helmet rentals. More information can be found below for this skating time. 

• You can now purchase a family day pass ahead of time on our website!

Drop-In Figure Skating: During this time recreational figure skaters may practice individual skating skills, freestyle (footwork, spirals, spins and non-toe picking jumps) and stroking elements. No beginner level skaters are allowed on the ice at this time for safety. We do not offer skate rentals or sharpening during this time,  and all skaters must bring their own figure skates (no hockey skates allowed during this time).

Drop-In Stick 'n Puck (instruction available): Beginners can practice using a hockey stick and puck on the ice, on their own or with an experienced instructor! Half the ice will be available for those wishing to practice independently, with experienced instructors on the other end ready to provide on-ice demonstrations and guidance for those who want it. Whether you're new to hockey or just wanting to refine your basic techniques, this program offers a supportive environment to practice and improve. This is a drop-in session - you do not have to attend on a continued basis - and is offered free of charge for students and members. Skates, helmets and limited sticks are available for rent, but participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment if possible. Organized games or practices are not permitted. Participants must be comfortable on skates (if not, consider checking out our instructional Learn to Skate program instead!). 

Drop-In Shinny: A casual, non-contact game of pick-up hockey, perfect for players of all skill levels looking to enjoy a fun and friendly game. Stick, helmet, and skates are required for play, and available for rent if needed. Groin and neck protection are recommended. Other equipment is not permitted. Come solo or with friends and get your game on! All levels are welcome, but participants must be able to skate comfortably.

Drop-In Hockey:  A drop-in session for students and members of all abilities to enjoy an informal game of hockey. Full equipment is required for participation, more information on equipment needs listed below. Skates, sticks and helmets will not be available for rent during this hour, but skate sharpening will be available for purchase. 

• Monday, October 12: No drop-in programming due to university Thanksgiving closure.
• Tuesday, October 27: No drop-in programming at Varsity Arena.
• Thursday, October 29: No drop-in skate, stick n pick or shinny (only figure skate).

For all skate programs, with the exception of Family Skate:

• Students: Current students paying incidental fees can access this programming at no additional cost. 
• Members: Anyone with an active Sport & Rec Membership can access this programming at no additional cost. 
• Day Pass users can access this programming. 

For Family Skate:

• Students and Members: Current U of T students and Sport & Rec members may bring up to three children under 17 to Family Skate at no additional charge.
• Non-members: Partners, spouses, and other guests 18 years and older (without a membership) must purchase a Day Pass. 
• Family Day Pass: Non-members or non-students attending with children may purchase a Family Day Pass, which includes up to 2 adults and 4 children (17 years and under).
• Child Supervision Requirements: All children must be accompanied on ice by an adult wearing skates, with a maximum ratio of 1 adult to 3 children. 

Participants are asked to wear comfortable and appropriate athletic attire while joining in drop-in activities. Skates are required for all participants on ice. 

• Helmets are required for all skaters 16 and under, and recommended for all beginner skaters. 
• Skates are required for all participants on the ice. When off the ice, please remain on the rubber flooring when wearing skates. 
• Skate, helmet, and equipment rentals are available for most programs. Please see below for rental availability. 
• Socks are required when wearing rental skates. We recommend wearing thick, long socks for comfort and to help prevent rubbing or irritation.
• Shirts (shirt, tank top, or sports bra) are required at all times.
• Full-length pants are recommended, particularly for beginner skaters, to provide additional protection and comfort in the event of a fall. The arena can be chilly, so we also recommend bringing a sweater or other removable warm layer.
• There are no lockers available at this facility. We recommend leaving valuables at home and bringing only what you need for your activity. Nearest lockers are located across the street at Goldring Centre. 
• Shared, non-binary areas for putting on and removing skates are available. Please keep personal belongings organized and do not leave valuables unattended.

Sport & Rec staff have final say in determining whether clothing or equipment is appropriate and safe for participation.

Program-Specific Equipment Requirements

Figure Skating:

•  Figure skaters must bring their own figure skates. Hockey skate are not permitted on the ice at this time. 

Stick n Puck and Shinny:

• Skates, helmets, and sticks are required, and are available for rent in limited quantities.
• Groin, neck protection, and gloves are recommended for Drop-in Shinny. 

Hockey:

• Full equipment (gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin pads, hockey pants) under hockey socks and jersey; including CSA approved helmet and full face mask is required. Pads must be worn under clothing. Mouth guard, hockey pants, and jock are strongly recommended. 
• Goalies should be protected with proper fitting equipment. Goalies must wear a C.S.A. approved helmet, throat protector, and mask, gloves, gut pad, arm and shoulder pads and leg pads.
• Sharing of equipment between two players in the same session is not permitted. Each player must have their own equipment to ensure proper fit, protection, and hygiene.

Skate rentals and sharpening services can be purchased at the Pavilion Desk at the entrance, during most drop-in ice skate/sport program hours. After purchasing, please head inside the arena to receive the rental or sharpening service.

Lost or damaged equipment will be subject to a replacement fee, charged to the individual who rented it. 

Skate rentals are available for rent for a fee of $4 + HST for U of T students and $6 + HST for non-U of T students. 

• We offer adult-sized hockey skate rentals only. Figure skates and child-sized skates/helmets are not available for rent.
• Helmets and sticks (for Shinny and Stick n Puck) are included in the cost of skate rentals. 
• Skate rentals are not available during Drop-in Hockey and Figure Skating.

Skate sharpening is available for a fee $5 + HST for U of T students and $8 + HST for non-U of T students.

• Skate sharpening is available during all skate programs, with the exception of drop-in figure skating. 
• Please note, we are only able to sharpen hockey skates. 

For all drop-in skate programs:

• All programs are supervised by Physical Activity Facilitators
• Ice will be flooded between sessions as needed. Please stay off the ice until the zamboni doors have completely closed. 

Please note, the following activities are NOT permitted:

• Coaching (including virtual)
• Foul language or inappropriate behaviour
• Bringing food, drinks, or gum onto the ice
• Use of headphones, phones, or handheld devices while on the ice
• Rough play or multiplayer games such as tag and races

Please review the additional rules for specific ice programs below, and equipment and eligibility requirements listed above, before participating in this programming. 

Please review KPE Guest Policies and the Student and Member Code of Conduct before participating in drop-in programs.

Drop-in Skate and Family Skate:

Please note, the following activities are NOT permitted:

• Speed or power skating
• Figure skating and figure skating skills
• Coaching (including virtual)
• Hockey sticks, pucks, and other equipment
• Holding children (including in carriers)

Please do:

• Respect staff at all times
• Clear the ice at the end of scheduled time or as directed by arena monitor
• Skate forwards at a sensible and safe speed in the same direction as other skaters. The middle of the ice not for footwork or skill practicing. Staff may use this space to stand still and oversee the ice.

There will be Sport & Rec program staff on site monitoring and managing capacity as needed, there are capacity maximums and if reached no further drop-in participants will be allowed to enter the arena. Space on the ice and skate rentals are limited. 

Figure Skate:

• NO toe-picking jumps (stag jumps, toe loop, flip and lutz jumps)
• NO hockey skates, sticks or other equipment; all participants must be in figure skates
• NO full routine practices; this time is for recreational figure skaters to practice individual skating skills, freestyle (footwork, spins, spirals, and non-toe pick jumps) and stroking elements 
• NO headphones, phones, or handheld devices while on ice
• Beginner skaters should not be on ice

Stick n Puck

• NO pick-up games; this ice time is for stick handeling and skill practice
• NO slap shots on the boards or the nets and the puck must remain on the ice at all times
• Hockey stick blades should not leave the ice surface
• NO body checking, intentional contact, or engaging in aggressive play

Shinny

• A player must play the puck and not another player. Body contact is not allowed. This includes boarding, charging, elbowing, punching, and interference in front of the goal.
• No goalies during shinny
• Foam pucks and small nets will be used during this time
• Players are not permitted to use a slapshot

Hockey

• Sharing of equipment between two players in the same session is not permitted. Each player must have their own equipment to ensure proper fit, protection, and hygiene. Please see equipment requirements above. 
• A player must play the puck and not another player. Deliberate body checking shall not be allowed. This shall include boarding, charging, elbowing, punching, and interference in front of the goal. 
• Players are not permitted to use a slapshot