1. Learn to skate 3
Adult skating classes. Most beginners start here.
AdultAdult Learn to Skate (Adults 1-2)
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park · Brooklyn, NY
Ages: 15+
Price: $210 cash / $216.30 card per 6-week semester, plus Learn to Skate USA membership ($18.50 + $1.50)
Schedule: Semester 1: Nov 6 - Dec 20 (no classes Nov 24-29); 30-minute classes on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Semester 2: Jan 8 - Feb 14
Learn to Skate USA curriculum, Adults 1-2 is the beginner level. Rental skates are included, and you can practice free during a public session on the day of your class.
Last checked 2026-10-17
AdultAdult Hockey Edge
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink · Manhattan, NY
Ages: 18+
Price: $810 (12 sessions)
Schedule: Winter 2027 classes start Jan 9; 12 sessions of 50 minutes (listed at 12:00 PM)
For adult skaters building core skating skills: edges, balance, glides, swizzles, pivots, starts and stops.
Last checked 2026-10-17
AdultAdult 1-6 Learn to Skate
The Rinx · Hauppauge, NY
Ages: 18+
Price: $159 for seven weeks
Schedule: Series 2: Oct 29 - Dec 19 (no classes Nov 26-28); half hour of group instruction weekly. Registration began Oct 12.
Adult classes from the very beginner up. Skate rental is $7 each time; helmets and gloves are strongly recommended. Classes fill quickly.
Last checked 2026-10-17
2. Learn to play 2
Hockey clinics for adults who have never played.
What to expect in a learn-to-play program
AdultAdult Learn to Play
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park · Brooklyn, NY
Ages: 16+
Price: Saturdays: $270 cash / $278.10 card (6 weeks). Mondays: $315 cash / $324.45 card (7 weeks)
Schedule: Semester 1: Saturdays 10:00-10:50 AM through Dec 19 (no class Nov 28); Mondays 6:30-7:20 PM, Nov 9 - Dec 21
Full hockey gear required (the page lists it). Goalies are free. Pre-register online.
Last checked 2026-10-17
AdultAdult Hockey Prep
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink · Manhattan, NY
Ages: 18+
Price: $797.50 (11 sessions)
Schedule: Winter 2027 classes start Jan 4; 11 sessions of 1 hr 20 min (listed at 7:00 PM)
Trimester group class led by professional coaches, built to develop the skills needed for adult league play.
Last checked 2026-10-17
3. Beginner league 2
Novice, instructional and D-level leagues.
AdultNew York/Westchester Beginner Program
Westchester Skating Academy (Hockey North America) · Elmsford, NY
Ages: Adults
Price: $595 total ($25 deposit + two $285 payments)
Schedule: Starts Jan 18, 2027: 8 instructional sessions (75 min), then 8 games. Mondays, 10:10 PM
Built for adults new to hockey: instruction first, then games. Starts with an off-ice meeting. Skates, gear, jerseys and socks are not included.
Last checked 2026-10-17
AdultMidnight Hockey League (adult rec)
Northwell Health Ice Center · East Meadow, NY
Ages: 18+
Schedule: Starting Fall 2026: weeknight and weekend divisions
Run by Island Ice Hockey. Divisions are grouped by skill level, plus 30+, 40+ and 50+ leagues and open hockey pickup games. Teams and individuals can register. The page doesn't name a beginner division, so ask which level fits.
Last checked 2026-10-17
4. Next steps 3
Open hockey once you can play.
AdultAdult Open Hockey
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park · Brooklyn, NY
Ages: 18+
Price: Mon-Fri $20 cash / $20.60 card; Sat-Sun $25 cash / $25.75 card
Non-competitive pickup games. Full gear, including a helmet with a cage or shield, is required. Pre-register online before you arrive.
Last checked 2026-10-17
AdultAdult Open Hockey
Aviator Sports & Events Center · Brooklyn, NY
Ages: 18+
Price: $21.92 per session
Schedule: Sundays, 7:30-9:00 AM
90 minutes of no-check pickup, capped at 30 players. Bring dark and light jerseys and your own pucks. The first two goalies are free.
Last checked 2026-10-17
AdultAdult Hockey Clinic
Port Washington Skating Center · Port Washington, NY
Ages: Adults
Schedule: Resumes Nov 4
Book through the rink's online schedule.
Last checked 2026-10-17
For kids 4
Youth learn-to-skate, learn-to-play and intro hockey programs at or near the rinks above.
Learn to skate
YouthCyclones Hockey Tots
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink · Manhattan, NY
Ages: 3-5
Price: $745 (12 sessions)
Schedule: Winter 2027 classes start Jan 9; 12 sessions of 30 minutes
USA Hockey Learn to Skate curriculum for preschoolers. Wear a hockey helmet and elbow pads; hockey skate rental is included.
Last checked 2026-10-17
YouthAviator Atoms Hockey Learn to Skate
Aviator Sports & Events Center · Brooklyn, NY
Ages: 4-15
For kids who have never played. Full equipment is not needed: bring a helmet (hockey or bike), and skates are provided if you don't have them.
Last checked 2026-10-17
Learn to play
YouthLearn to Play Hockey for Beginners
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park · Brooklyn, NY
Ages: 5-10
Schedule: Ten one-hour lessons, Sundays 8:40-9:40 AM. Session 2 registration opens in December.
Kids learn skating, stickhandling, passing and shooting. First-time participants get a free hockey equipment set.
Last checked 2026-10-17
YouthIn-House Instructional Program
Northwell Health Ice Center · East Meadow, NY
Ages: 5-13
Instructional house program with weekly clinics for young players developing their skills.
Last checked 2026-10-17
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Starter gear
Most programs need full equipment: helmet with cage, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, pants, shin guards, skates, stick, and a jock or jill.
Starter gear guideRetailer links will go here. No affiliate links yet.
FAQ
I can't skate at all. Where do I start?
Start with an adult learn-to-skate class (step 1). LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park runs Adults 1-2 classes for ages 15 and up with rental skates included, and The Rinx in Hauppauge has Adult 1-6 classes from the very beginner up.
Do I need my own gear?
For hockey programs, usually yes. LeFrak's Adult Learn to Play and its Adult Open Hockey require full gear, and Hockey North America's Westchester beginner program does not include skates or gear. See the starter gear guide.
Is there a league for true beginners?
Hockey North America's New York/Westchester Beginner Program starts with 8 instructional sessions, then 8 games. Chelsea Piers' Adult Hockey Prep is built to get players ready for adult league play. Ask about the level before you sign up.
Are these details current?
Each card shows the date we last checked it and links to the official source. Schedules and prices change, so confirm with the rink.
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