Who We Are

“Community Based, Nationally Recognized”

Building Skills and Confidence

For Skating and For Life

Our Mission

The Northfield Skating School was founded in 2005 to provide top-quality figure skating instruction for the Northfield community. At NSS, we encourage participation, enjoyment, and achievement in the sport of figure skating by fostering a supportive and comfortable learning environment for all skaters. We are an official U. S. Figure Skating program and offer a challenging and rewarding skating curriculum for skaters of all abilities, ages 4 - senior. Whether your goal is to learn to go backwards, land a salchow, spin really fast, improve your hockey skating skills, do a graceful arabesque or a triple Axel, we’ve got just the place for you to start. We collaborate with other community organizations to provide the highest quality programs for youth and adults. Our goal is to help every skater feel challenged and enjoy skating. Our students build confidence and skills for skating and for life.

Why Learn to Skate?

  • Build strength, skills, and coordination while having FUN
  • Skating is both a sport and a performing art
  • Skating is a lifelong activity you can do with your friends and family
  • Skating is a practical skill for cold weather fun
  • Participate in performances and events in your community

Why Skate with NSS?

  • Positive, safe, professional, and fun learning environment
  • Low skater to instructor ratios
  • Fun events like Bring a Friend Day, Off-ice Workshops, Holiday Parties, and a Season-end Potluck Celebration
  • Our top quality staff (featured in SKATING magazine) includes regional and national competitors as well as many competitive and recreational skaters. All instructors are professionally trained and First Aid/CPR Certified
  • You’ll recieve automatic U.S. Figure Skating membership and Sports Liability Insurance Coverage
  • Skating scholarships and special discounts are available
  • We are a program for the whole family: Over 50% of our skaters have additional family members enrolled.
  • We are the link to the advanced testing and competitive structure, should you should to pursue that path
  • Volunteer opportunities for skaters and parents
  • Nationally recognized Director and Staff (see “In the News”)

History and Vision

NSS was founded by Carey Tinkelenberg in November, 2005. Carey is a nationally experienced competitive skater, coach, dancer, Professional Skaters Association Senior Program Director, and graduate of Carleton College in Northfield. NSS opened in 2005 with a group of 35 skaters and has grown over 450% in just 3 seasons! At present, our rink is seasonal and we offer lessons at the Northfield Arena from October - March. We collaborate with other organizations year-round to participate in local events like Shattuck St. Mary’s Broadway on Ice, Girl Scout Skating Fever, Defeat of Jesse James Days, and Ballet for Skaters classes at the Northfield Dance Academy. We are working with Northfield’s Ice Now organization towards our goal of offering year-round programs for all ages, abilities, and interests of recreational and compeitive skaters, from introductory to advanced levels.

How do I register?

Registration is NOW OPEN! There are 3 ways to register:

  1. Online Registration
  2. Come to our Open House: Tues Sept 23, 2008, 5:30 - 7:30pm, Northfield Armory
  3. By mail: send completed registration form and payment to PO Box 145, Northfield MN 55057

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