USFS Gold Program

To participate in our USFS Gold Program, skaters must be members of the Bend Ice Figure Skating club and must have passed the Learn to Skate Basic 6 level, either through our Development Academy or with another LTS-certified instructor. The Gold Program is capped at 25 skaters per season.

The USFS Gold Program includes:

Access to all scheduled USFS Gold Freestyles
Our weekly USFS Gold Group class (holidays excluded)
14 different 30-minute group classes, each focused on a specific skill such as jumping, spinning, or edges
A total of 58 hours of ice time during the 2026–27 season, up from 51 hours last season

Our typical weekly schedule for Gold Programming includes:

Monday Freestyle: 7:00–8:00am (1 hour)
Wednesday Freestyle: 3:00–4:00pm (1 hour)
Saturday Group Instruction: 6:00–6:30am (30-minute group class with 3 USFS instructors, divided by skill)
Saturday Freestyle: 6:30–7:30am (1 hour)

Skaters in our USFS Gold program are also eligible to:

· Participate in group routines for the December Solstice Show or Spring Showcase (estimated additional cost of $50 for Solstice participation and $75 for Showcase participation)

· Earn a solo or duet spot in our Spring Showcase. While all skaters must apply, priority is given to Gold Program skaters. (Estimated additional cost of $75 per skater)

· Apply for our new Coach-in-Training (CIT) program if they will be 14 years of age by 12/31/26. Our CIT’s will assist during Thursday and SaturdayDevelopment Academy group classes and will serve as mentors and peer leaders to our newer skaters. More info coming soon!

Note: The USFS Gold Program does NOT include private coaching. While working with a 1:1 coach is not a requirement for the Gold program, it is encouraged to help skaters master new skills. Our group classes are designed to encourage growth and introduce new skills but do not follow a strict curriculum as they do in Development Academy. Skaters wishing to test, compete, or perform in a solo are required to work with a private coach.

Additional/Special Programming Available to ALL BIFSC – USFS level Members

In addition to the USFS Gold Program, all USFS-level BIFSC members can choose to purchase certain additional programming opportunities separately. In the 2026–27 season, we will offer approximately 30 hours of additional programming that are separate from our Gold Program.

Additional opportunities open to all USFS level members include:

60- and 90-minute drop-in freestyles: Typically offered during school holiday weeks or early in the season. ($15 per session.)
Drop-in clinics: New this season, we will offer four different drop-in clinics, each led by two of our USFS coaches. The first will be offered on 10/31/26. ($25 per skater, tentatively)
Competition and solo / duet ice time: At the very end of the season we offer blocks of ice time specifically for skaters performing solos/duets in the Spring Showcase and/or skaters competing in the Oregon Open. (Skaters must apply to be in the showcase, typically by Jan 1.)

Check out the club’s updated event calendar for all dates and times. All ice times included in the Gold Program are denoted with the word “GOLD.”

One last reminder before you register:

Club membership and Gold Program registration are two separate purchases. To register for the USFS Gold Program or any other BIFSC programming, skaters must first be registered as members of the Bend Ice Figure Skating Club at the appropriate USFS level. If you have not yet purchased your club membership, please visit our Club Membership page before registering for programming.

Development Academy

The Bend Ice FSC Development Academy (DA) follows the nationally standardized skating curriculum provided by Learn to Skate USA, a program of U.S. Figure Skating. DA is designed to help skaters take the next step after the Bend Parks and Recreation District (BPRD) skating program, building skills and confidence while introducing them to the Bend Ice FSC community, club events, and performances.

Most of our Development Academy skaters are ages 7–13, but there is no age cutoff. Any skater who meets the skill requirements and is ready for this level of instruction is welcome.

What Does Development Academy Include?

Development Academy combines small-group instruction with dedicated freestyle time, giving skaters the opportunity to learn new skills and practice them without the larger crowds often found in general skating sessions.

Each DA session includes:

Two 30-minute group lessons each week
One 30-minute DA freestyle session each week
Opportunities to participate in club events and performances

Small Groups. More Coaching. More Attention.

One of the things that sets Development Academy apart from traditional parks and recreation skating programs is our small class size and high level of coaching support. Each DA session is limited to just 12–15 skaters, and three Learn to Skate USA-certified coaches are present for every group lesson. This allows our coaches to give skaters more individual attention, provide immediate feedback, and adjust instruction to meet each skater where they are in their development.

This year, Development Academy is led by Coach Lindsay and Coach Lily, with regular coaching and involvement from our other Learn to Skate USA-certified coaches throughout the season. Working with multiple coaches gives your skater exposure to a variety of coaching styles while helping them build relationships with our entire coaching team.

Our teen Coach-in-Training (CIT) skatersare also an important part of the DA experience. These experienced skaters serve as mentors and role models, giving younger skaters the opportunity to connect with athletes who were in their shoes—or skates—just a few years ago.

As skaters progress through the Learn to Skate USA curriculum, those who complete Basic 6 are eligible to move into our USFS-level programming and continue their skating journey with Bend Ice FSC. We hope our Development Academy is the foundation for a lifetime of skating friends and joy.

What is the schedule for Developmental Academy?

Typical Weekly Schedule

Thursday: 3:50–4:20pm — Group Lesson (30 minutes)*
Saturday: 7:30–8:00am — Group Lesson (30 minutes)
Saturday: 8:00–8:30am — DA Freestyle (30 minutes)

*Thursdays we will use half the sheet of ice. BPRD Kinder skaters will be on the other half. Your skater will already be acting as a model and inspiration to those putting skates on for the first time!

Two Sessions. Do just one, or join us for both!

We offer two Development Academy sessions during the season.

The cost for each session is $300.

·Session 1: Nov 5, 2026 – Dec 17, 2026

o Registration opens mid September

o Includes 11 group classes and 5 DA freestyles; no classes the week of Thanksgiving.

o Coaches will do a more formal skills check at the end of the session to provide written feedback. Skaters who have demonstrated mastery and fluency of skill is a certain level can earn a patch and progress will be recorded in their official LTS record.

o Session 1 skaters are eligible to participate in our Winter Solstice Show, December 18,at no additional cost.

·Session 2: Jan 7, 2027 –Feb 20, 2027

o Registration opens around December 1

o Includes 13 group classes and 6 DA freestyles

o Coaches will do a more formal skills check at the end of the session to provide written feedback. Skaters who have demonstrated mastery and fluency of skill is a certain level can earn a patch and progress will be recorded in their official LTS record.

o Skaters can participate in the Spring showcase for an extra cost, see below.

Please check the Event Calendar for specific dates and times.

Special Programming / Additional Opportunities

· Session 1 and Session 2 DA skaters are all eligible to participate in the Spring Showcase, April 3, 2027. There is an additional cost of approximately $50 for the group routine, which includes approximately 5 additional hours of ice and coaching time. This is a highlight of the season so please join us!

· During holiday weeks our club offers special drop-in freestyles for any level skater that is a member of our club. Join us for the chance to be on ice with our USFS level skaters and to form new friendships.

· DA skaters are eligible to apply to perform a solo or duet in our Spring Showcase. Applications are reviewed by the coaching staff. There is an additional cost (estimated to be $75) and this opportunity is typically available only to DA skaters who meet the following criteria:

Are working on Basic 5/6 skills
Have been working regularly with a private coach
Plan to compete in the Oregon Open during the second weekend of April
Participate in both Development Academy sessions

Who Is Eligible for Development Academy?

· To be eligible for Development Academy, skaters must have already passed either BPRD Level 3orLearn to Skate USA Basic 3. If you are wondering whether your skater qualifies, start by looking at the skills on this Learn to Skate USA Basic Skills checklist. Your skater should be comfortable with most of the skills in Levels 1–3.

· If you feel your skater is close to meeting the requirements, or you are unsure whether they are ready, please contact us at chair@bendfigureskatingclub.org. We are happy to answer questions and help determine whether Development Academy is the right fit. In some cases, you may be asked to schedule a private session with an LTS coach for placement recommendations.

· If your skater has participated in BPRD programming, please note that the BPRD and Development Academy level systems are different. Development Academy follows the Learn to Skate USA curriculum. You will likely be placed in a lower level with us than you were with BPRD. Don’t be discouraged – it’s two different systems!

Membership and Registration

Ready to join Development Academy?BIFSC club membership and Development Academy registration are two separate purchases, both are required to participate in DA. If you have not yet purchased your LTS membership, please visit our Club Membership page before registering for Development Academy.