It is tempting for the eager skater to advance quickly through learning the basics, and it's a temptation that's worth resisting. If you want to progress, it is time well invested to learn the basics thoroughly, even if the moves are a little uncomfortable for you. Like a pyramid, everything else you do as a skater will be built on these first skills.

First Time Beginner
1.	Wear thicker socks to prevent blistering
2.	Get skates that fit tight to prevent blistering. Our instructors will be there to help you.
3.	Lace your skates up all the way, and snugly. If your toes go numb within a few minutes, you've laced them too tightly. If, when you stand up on dry land, your ankles flop to the inside, you haven't laced them tightly enough (or else the skates are too big, or possibly are just worn out). Don't let your laces flop around loosely. If there is extra lace, do something such as double knotting them to keep them from tripping you!
4.	It is compulsory to wear gloves. They protect your hands in falls. You can bring your own gloves or buy them from our Technology Sport or Snack Bar in Fuji Ice Palace.
5.	Start out by just "walking" on the ice.
6.	Stand up straight (don't bend forward, it will make you fall forward), and hold your hands/arms out slightly to your sides.
7.	Skate WITH traffic. Don't go into conned up area for the Skating School.
8.	Falling is quite common for beginners so please be careful. If you fall, get onto your knees, and then bring one leg up so that one skate is on the ice. Help yourself up with your hands, and stand up on the skate that's on the ice. Don't try to stand up with both blades touching the ice. They'll just slide out from under you.

* Don't stay down on the ice. It's not safe for you or anyone else.

* If you fall really hard and it hurts, stay put for a minute to let the shock wash over you before you get up. Then skate to the side and get off the ice for a few minutes. If you are injured, our instructors will be there to assist you.

If you would like to learn more about how to stop and skating backwards, please go to Fuji Ice Skating School for more information about the skating lessons.