OUR PROGRAMS
Sports & Rec offers a few co-ed options for ice skating - Drop-In Skate, Family Skate, and Figure Skating. You can find ice sports (stick n puck, shinny, hockey) options here.
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, please note we do not offer child sized skate or helmet rentals. More information can be found below for this skating time.
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 and all skaters must bring their own figure skates (no hockey skates allowed during this time).
Schedule & Important Information
Please note: All drop-in schedules are subject to change.
Fall 2025 - Varsity Centre Arena
September 2 to December 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
11:00am-12:50pm Skate | 11:00am-12:50pm Skate | 10:00am-11:50am Skate | ||||
1:00pm-3:55pm Skate | ||||||
3:00pm-4:55pm Figure Skating | ||||||
5:15pm-6:50pm Family Skate |
Upcoming Schedule Adjustments
Upcoming adjustments to this drop-in schedule will be listed below:
- No programming October 13 due to Thanksgiving holiday closure.
Location(s)
Varsity Centre Arena (299 Bloor St. W)
- Enter off of the Varsity Centre Pavilion
Eligibility
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.
Family skate:
- Beginner skaters 17 and under and children 12 and under must be accompanied on the ice by an adult wearing skates.
- Current U of T students and Sport & Rec members can bring up to three children during family skate. Partners/spouses/guests must purchase a day pass.
- Non-students/members with children can purchase a family pass (2 adults and maximum 4 children).
Rules/ Etiquette
- Please review the Varsity Centre Arena Rights and Responsibilities before participating in drop-in programs
Drop-in Skating
Activities that are not permitted on the ice during these sessions:
- Speed skating
- Power skating
- Figure skating and figure skating skills
- Coaching (including virtual)
- Foul language or inappropriate behaviour
- Bringing food or drinks 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 follow the rules:
- Respect staff at all times
- Only students and members wearing skates are allowed on the rink
- The middle of the ice not for footwork or skill practicing. Staff may use this space to stand still and oversee the ice.
- Hockey pucks and sticks are not permitted during skating sessions
- Skate forwards at a sensible and safe speed in the same direction as other skaters
Drop-in Figure Skating
Activities that are not permitted on the ice during these sessions:
- Toe-picking jumps: stag jumps, toe loops, flip and lutz jumps
- No hockey skates - all participants should be in figure skates
- Full routine practices
- This is not a time for beginner skaters - only for experienced figure skaters
- Use of headphones, phones, or handheld devices while on the ice
Please follow the rules:
- Respect staff at all times
- Only students and members wearing skates are allowed on the rink
- Hockey pucks and sticks are not permitted during skating sessions
- Skate backwards or forwards at a sensible speed
- Practice of skating skills, freestyle (foodwork, spins, spirals, and non-toe picking jumps) and stroking elements
Drop-in Family Skating
Activities that are not permitted on the ice during these sessions:
- Holding children (including in carriers)
- Speed skating
- Power skating
- Figure skating and figure skating skills
- Coaching (including virtual)
- Foul language or inappropriate behaviour
- Bringing food or drinks 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 follow the rules:
- Respect staff at all times
- Only students and members wearing skates are allowed on the rink
- The middle of the ice not for footwork or skill practicing. Staff may use this space to stand still and oversee the ice.
- Hockey pucks and sticks are not permitted during skating sessions
- Skate forwards at a sensible and safe speed in the same direction as other skaters
- CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory for people 17 and under and strongly recommended for beginner adults.
- There are no child sized skates or helmets available for loan- they must be provided for each child
- Beginner skaters 17 and under and children 12 and under must be accompanied on the ice by an adult wearing skate
- Current U of T students and Sport and Rec members can bring up to three children during family skate. Partners/spouses/guests must purchase a day pass
- Non-students/members with children can purchase a family pass (2 adults and maximum 4 children)
- 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.
Other Info
- Supervision by Physical Activity Facilitators
- There will be no skate rentals or sharpening during drop in Figure skating
- Ice will be flooded between sessions as needed
- Skate rentals and helmets are available for loan during drop in skating times for a fee of $3.00 +HST for U of T students and $5.00 +HST for non-U of T Students. Skate sharpening is available for a fee $5.00 + HST for UofT students and $8.00+HST for non-UofT students.
- We offer adult hockey skate rentals only