About
AUGUST 16-22, 2026
Welcome to the Lake Placid Adult Skating Week! It is a fun week for adult skaters of all levels to hone their skills, learn new techniques, make new friends and most importantly, have fun skating!
Skaters are able to check-in Sunday evening followed by a skating session to get your feet wet before the week ahead. Monday through Friday consists of sessions for practice and private lessons as well as on-ice group classes. Saturday continues with more sessions and for practice and private lessons and ends with an exhibition for anyone who would like to participate.
It isn’t all about skating, though! One of the best parts about this week is the camaraderie among the skaters. All our adult skaters have a passion for skating. it doesn’t matter to anyone whether you are working on your double jumps or basic edges. Everyone is encouraging and inclusive.
Admission
Adult Week Rates
ADMISSION |
|
| Full week per person | $450.00 |
| 3 days per person | $270.00 |
| 1 day per person | $100.00 |
All admission rate above includes the following items:
- Entrance to the Welcome Meet & Greet Reception on Sunday August 16th
- served with crudité, fruit platter, and refreshments.
- A 2026 Adult Week T-Shirt
- Curling Night Social with Refreshments
- Option to participate in the Friday Night Adult Skating Exhibition
For those who choose the Full Week Experience, you shall receive the following:
- 12 Hour per day, Mon – Fri, for Freestyle/Dance/Open Sessions (60 Hours)
- 8 Hours of Open sessions on Saturday
- 22.5 Hours of Group Class Ice included
- 10 – 50 Minute Patch sessions per week.
This is nearly 100 hours of ice available for you to create your very own perfect skating camp experience!
Please Note: Your admission rate does not include fees required to coaching staff for classes or private lessons.
Buy now2026 Class Descriptions
On Ice Classes
BASIC PARTNERING
Bring a skating partner and learn to stroke and track in various Dance positions.
BE YOUR IDOL
Be Your Idol on Ice. Ever dreamed of skating like your heroes? From the lyrical elegance of Jason Brown to the fearless athleticism of Alysa Liu, iconic skating programs stay with us long after the music ends. In this on-ice class, skaters will learn short choreographic phrases inspired by legendary performances and signature moments from beloved skating icons. We’ll explore the movement, musicality, and performance qualities that made these programs unforgettable — and experiment with bringing them to life in our own skating.
DEAD DANCES
A class where we learn a compulsory dance from the history books!
DRESS YOUR TURNS
Take your turns from technical to beautiful. This class explores creative ways to enter and exit your turns, transforming basic technique into flowing, expressive movement that elevates your skating.
EDGE CLASS FULL BODY MOVEMENTS
This class combines foundational skating skills and edge work with full-body movement.
Designed for skaters looking to deepen both technique and artistry
We will take skating skills you know and learn how to add a creative twist to them.
FUN WITH PROPS
Bring a prop, bring your imagination! Explore the endless movement possibilities of skating with fabric, batons, umbrellas, and more. This class is all about play, creativity, and discovering new ways to express yourself on the ice — bring your favorite prop and see where it takes you!
KPOP TIKTOK SHOWSTYLE CHOREO ON ICE
Bring viral energy to the ice! Take the choreography we learned from dance choreography for skaters class and play with it on the ice — expanding the movement, adding your own flair, and finishing with the option to film your moment. No experience needed, just bring your energy!
LEARN THE BASIC FIGURES & BASICS FOR ALL SKATING
This skill will improve your overall balance and control for better edge quality and power. This will be a progressive class moving from Basic 8’s through the original figure test structure
MAXIMIZE YOUR COMP/SHOW ON ICE WARM UP
Implementing these warm-up techniques will help you feel prepared and confident before stepping onto the ice for competitions and shows.
- Dynamic Warm-Up: Focus on dynamic stretching and skating-specific movements to prepare your body.
- Strength and Stability: Incorporate exercises that engage core and leg muscles.
- Mental Readiness: Use visualization and breathing techniques to enhance focus and calm nerves.
PATCH SESSION will be taught daily at 8:00am by Kami Netri Please join me. All levels welcome.
PERFORMING
Performance is a conversation — between you, the audience. Come ready with a section of your program and we will work on projection, connecting with the crowd and your own artistry! Exaggerating expression and personality until it reads from the stands. The real question we’ll keep coming back to: what are you trying to say with your body right now? Come ready to play big and find your voice on the ice.
POWER SKATING
A power skating class focusing on edge quality will enhance your speed, power, and endurance on the ice. Class covers various aspects of power skating, including drills, exercises, and techniques.
- Edge Quality: Essential for maintaining speed and control.
- Power Generation: Focus on explosive movements and acceleration.
- Endurance Training: Integrates both sprint and continuous skating drills for improved stamina.
PREPARING FOR THE AXEL
A series of preparatory exercises & drills to help you feel confident to gear up for the axel jump.
SLIDE & GLIDE: CHOREO DEVELOPMENT WITH LUNGES + KNEE SLIDES
Get ready to move, slide and slay! In this playful choreography driven class, we’ll kick things off with the essentials – weight distribution, balance, and how to flow with control. Then, we will level up with creative twists on lunges and knee slides, exploring both intermediate and advanced variations that’ll make your movement feel seamless and bold. Knee pads are a must – your knees will thank you!
SOS™ is a comprehensive, structured approach to understanding the fundamentals of figure skating. The SOS™ principles include alignment, counter-balance and core rotation. These principles facilitate the incremental development of skating skills from basic to advanced. SOS™ was designed specifically for adult skaters, and unlike other corrective coaching feedback, it is not based on what the skater is doing “wrong”, but instead reinforces an understanding of what is “right.” Mimi Wacholder created SOS™ as a way to give more skaters and coaches access to the tools and techniques she has gathered throughout her 30 year coaching career.
- 50 min System of skating for alignment and beautiful stroking
- 50 min System of Skating for mastering front and back crossovers
- 50 min System of Skating for effortless inside and outside c step (Mohawk)
STROKING TECHNIQUE
A class that focuses on knee and ankle action combined with proper check positions to achieve better speed and stability.
UNDERSTANDING CHECK AND CHECK TRANSITIONS
A continuation of the Stroking Technique class this time focusing on transitions from any edge to any edge.
Off Ice Classes
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY FOR SKATERS – CONTEMPORARY
Learn contemporary choreography designed specifically for skaters — building your ability to pick up movement quickly while developing performance quality that makes every phrase feel intentional and expressive. This class naturally builds on the movement foundations from our Dance Technique class, though no prior experience is required to join.
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY FOR SKATERS – KPOP TIKTOK DANCES
Bring viral energy to the floor! Learn sharp, punchy K-pop and TikTok-style choreography while putting the movement skills from Dance Technique for Skaters into practice — building the star-power performance quality that makes a program impossible to look away from. No experience needed, just bring your energy!
DANCE TECHNIQUE FOR SKATERS
Build the movement vocabulary that brings your skating to life. This class focuses on dance fundamentals most relevant to skating — musicality, coordination, body articulation, posture, and extension & contraction — all explored through a warm-up routine set to music. Train your body to feel the music, not just follow it.
DYNAMIC WARM-UP/STRETCH
As skaters, it’s crucial to properly warm up the body before training or performance — and sometimes, quickly! Through a dynamic warm-up sequence of plyometric exercises, a plié sequence, alignment exercises, and body activation, this class is designed to prepare the body for skating with strength, mobility, and readiness. Exercises will be adapted with modifications for a range of skating levels, from beginner to advanced.
JUMP EXPLOSION/ROTATION
- Incorporate Explosiveness: Focus on exercises that develop power and agility.
- Strength, Endurance and Balance: Blend strength training with endurance drills to enhance overall performance and perform skating motions to build endurance
- Focus on Landing Mechanics: Proper landing technique is essential for injury prevention and performance landing softly in an athletic position—knees bent and aligned.
SOMATIC DANCE
This class invites skaters to slow down and reconnect with the body as a source of information, not just performance. Through breath work, guided body scanning, and slow, exploratory movement we will work from the inside out . Getting in touch with our emotions and how they can drive our movement on the ice.
SOS™: System of Skating mechanics of body alignment and arm placement.
SPIN POSITION FUNDAMENTALS/ FLEXIBILITY BALANCE
Improving spin positions for figure skating off-ice requires a focus on strength, stability, and control.
A comprehensive approach to strengthening your body for various spin positions, especially focusing on core stability and leg strength, essential for maintaining control during spins.
- Leg Strength: Crucial for achieving and holding positions.
- Balance Training: Enhances your ability to stabilize during spins.
- Flexibility: Important for achieving optimal positions and preventing injuries.
SPIN VARIATIONS AND BALANCE
Take your spins beyond the basics in this off-ice class focused on balance, strength, flexibility, and body awareness. Skaters will progress into spin variations such as corkscrews, layover camels, cannonball sit spins, haircutters, Biellmann spins, and choreographic spin positions. Utilizing off-ice balance, strengthening, and stretching exercises, we will build upon spins you already have — or want to achieve — while developing posture, alignment, and control to improve spin quality on the ice. Exercises will be adapted with modifications for a range of skating levels, from beginner to advanced.
Theory Classes
BLADE HOLLOW AND RADIUS/ STONING
Caring for figure skating blades is essential for maintaining optimal performance, control, and safety on the ice. Understanding the different aspects of blade maintenance—sharpening, stoning, and the concept of hollows- helping you keep your blades in top condition.
BOOT FITTING
Finding the right fit for figure skating boots is crucial for performance, comfort, and injury prevention. Different fitting techniques and styles vary globally, influenced by regional traditions, skate technologies, and the preferences of skaters. Here’s a look at various fitting techniques and considerations for figure skating boots.
Finding the right figure skating boots is a personal journey that requires patience and consideration of individual foot characteristics. If you have specific questions about brands or fitting techniques, feel free to ask!
MUSIC SELECTION
Music Selection for Skating
Learn how to pick music that moves you — and your audience. Play with how to build a theme or story for your program, where to find the right tracks, and what to listen for to maximize both your technical and performance scores.
PERFORMANCE MAKEUP
In this class, we’ll play with bold color, exaggerated contour, and shimmer that actually survives a program. You’ll learn to make your expressions pop for the judges, match your look to your music, and pull it all together fast enough for competition morning. No makeup artist required — just you, having fun with it
PERFORMANCE MINDSET
Performing in figure skating, like any competitive sport, involves significant mental challenges. These mental aspects can greatly influence performance, impacting everything from execution to emotional well-being. Let’s get into exploration of the mental pressures skaters face and strategies to manage them.
Coaches
Sebastian Arango
714-420-1296 | [email protected]
Sebastian Arango has been teaching skating for 25 years, working with skaters on a national & international level. Originally from Los Angeles, he trained with Brian Tuck, John Nicks, and Frank Carrol.
In addition to skating, he was a professional dancer & dance instructor in LA & NYC, performing with Michael Jackson, competing on Star Search and danced with for several contemporary dance companies.
He specializes in choreography, skating skills, off ice dance and is excited on being part of Lake placid adult week!
Group classes are $15 for 30 min.
Rate: $120 / 50 minutes, $60 / 25 minutes
Kenneth Benson
917-748-0672 | Please note the 48 hour written cancellation policy on all lessons. Text preferred.
Kenneth Benson is an accomplished figure skater with a distinguished career in pair skating. He represented the United States at the national level and has achieved remarkable levels throughout his journey in the sport.
Competitive Highlights:
- 1993: Member of the National Team in Senior Pairs; earned a silver medal at the Mid-Western Championships.
- 1991: Placing 10th in Senior Pairs and Silver medal in Senior Four at the National Championships. Also Competed in the National Olympic Festival.
- 1990:National Team in Junior Pairs.
- 1989: 6th place in Junior Pairs at the National Championships.
Kenneth has trained under the guidance of many elite coaches, including three-time Olympic champion Irina Rodnina 3time Olympic champion and Elena Cherkasskaya, Moscow Ballet. Also skating with Olympic champions the Protopopovs, and renowned coaches Tracy Prusack, Ron Ludington, Jill Crossgrove,Jeff DiGregorio, Robbie Kan, with dedication and extensive training have paved the way for his impressive career, making him a formidable contender in the world of figure skating.
Rate: $70 Cash / $75 Zelle per 25 Minutes, Group classes are $15 for 30 min.
Marc Fenczak
973-919-6143 | [email protected]
3 time US National Competitor, 5 time World Figure Sport Silver Medalist and Hall of Fame Inductee, Specializes in Stroking Technique, Moves in the Field, Ice Dance and Figures
Group classes are $15 for 30 min.
Private Lessons are $55 a half hour.
Cash or Check
Jeff Labrake
786-417-6155 | [email protected]
Jeff is a former competitive skater who racked up numerous medals in Pair Skating with his sister in the Novice, Junior & Senior levels in Regionals, Sectionals & Nationals and is also a Regional Junior Men’s Champion. He went on to turn professional and toured throughout the World performing in every possible ice show that was created during his 30 year career as a Principle, performing in singles & pairs/adagio. His passion has always been teaching and loves teaching skaters of all ages. His focus has always been on good technique & good control will make the best skater.
Group classes are $15 for 30 min.
Kami Netri
(914) 417-7964
US Figure Skater, Double Gold Medalist (Free Skating, Figures) Lake placid native. Have been coaching for 43 years. Beginners to national competitors. My main passion is passing on the love for the sport to the next generation.
Patch/Figure Class are $20
Axel Class are $15
Rate $55 / 25 min.
Cash at time of class. No Venmo
Tracy Prussack Nicola
650-766-6288 | [email protected]
Former National Jr. Champion, International Medalist & World team Alternate, Member of U.S. Olympic Training Team. National & International Coach with 40 years of experience working with competitive skaters from Beginning levels to Elite level Athletes. Specializing in Skating Skills, Jump Technique & Spin Training (on & off ice).
Group classes are $15
$60.00 per 25 minute lesson
$120.00 for 50 minutes
Mimi Wacholder
Systemofskating.com | 518.637.1482
As a US Team Member and International Competitive Ice Dancer, she was known for her authenticity as a performer. After retiring from competition, she was a principal performer in the Ice Capades and performed and choreographed with the Ice Theatre of NY. She has a BFA in Creative Communications from Emerson College and is a RYT/Structural Yoga Therapist (mimyoga.com)
Mimi is able to guide her students to better understand the structure and functional capacity of their own bodies.
Group classes are $15 for 30 min.
Rate: $60 / 25 min.
Cash or Venmo: @mimi-wacholder
Liz Yoshiko Schmidt
773-512-9797 | [email protected]
Liz Yoshiko Schmidt is a NYC-based professional figure skater, performer, choreographer, and coach whose work is rooted in artistic expression, individuality, and confidence on the ice. Performing with the Ice Theatre of New York since 2017, Liz brings a distinctive style shaped by luscious edges, expressive movement, and ice dance. Her professional skating career began at the age of 18, and she has since performed internationally across Europe, Egypt, and the United States, most recently in Switzerland with Art on Ice.
A Japanese and German American skater from Chicago, IL, Liz is a U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist in Freestyle, Moves in the Field, and Ice Dance. Through her coaching, she encourages skaters to build strong fundamentals while developing confidence in their own artistic voice. Emphasizing skating skills, edge quality, line, musicality, and movement, Liz supports skaters in developing both technical ability and creative expression.
Liz received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2018 and is the creator of Dansu Wear, an ice fashion line.
Group classes are $15 for 30 min.
Personal: $3/min