NVFSC is the local figure skating club for State College and the surrounding areas. Our club mission is to encourage participation in the beautiful sport of figure skating.
Why should I join NVFSC?
NVFSC is an amazing community full of skating enthusiasts of all ages. Benefits of the club include ice time with a capped number of skaters, special show opportunities, the ability to test and compete under a club, and many social events for all skaters!
What do my membership fees include?
You’re NVFSC fees include both the club’s fees and USFS fees. By registering with the club you receive access to all club ice times (with the separate ice time fee), are able to test and compete under the club, access to special showcase opportunities such as the Happy Holidays Ice Show, and a USFS membership. Your USFS membership allows you to test and compete at any event in the United States.
Does NVFSC offer any competition opportunities?
NVFSC does not currently offer in-house competitions. However, we are highly involved in competitions in the surrounding area. Please check our events page to see updates about current competition offerings through NVFSC, or to see where our skaters are currently competing!
What is a test in figure skating?
A test is how it is determined that a skater moves onto the next level after passing through all the Learn to Skate and Free Skate levels. Skater perform either a series of pre-determined footwork sequences or a full program in front of a panel of judges. Each judge scores them on a scale of -3 to +3, and the results are added up to a final score. A passing score is zero.
How do I know what level I am?
Your coach is the best source of information for determining your current level. A pdf containing the Learn to Skate levels and skills involved can be found here. A pdf containing the Freeskate/Aspire levels and skill sets can be found here.
When will I pass this level?
Each skater progresses at their own pace, and that is part of the joy of the sport. A coach will be able to best tell you how close you are to passing a level, and what you can work on in order to pass it sooner.
Test SessionsWhat is a virtual test session?
A virtual test session is a USFS certified, professional recording of your skating skills pattern or program. We will then upload the video file and send it to you. You will then submit the recording, along with any other requested documents, to another club’s virtual judging panel. *Please note* – you are responsible for signing up for the virtual session with the judging panel ahead of your test recording date. A list of test sessions across the U.S. can be found here.
What tracks of skating do you offer test recording for?
We offer virtual test recording for all standard and adult tracks in Skating Skills (formerly Moves in the Field), Singles, Solo Dance, Free Dance, Pattern Dance, and Partnered Dance.
Who is eligible for testing with NVFSC?
All current NVFSC members and affiliate members are eligible to record a virtual test with NVFSC. If you do not fall in one of these categories but would like to sign up, please email skating@nittanyvalleyfsc.org.
How do I register for a test session?
Information on how to register for test sessions can be found on our testing page here. Please email skating@nittanyvalleyfsc.org with any questions.
How often are your test sessions?
We offer virtual test recordings approximately once a month, except for during July and December.
What kind of test sessions do you offer?
We currently offer only virtual test session recordings.
Club Ice/AcuityWhat is a club ice session like?
Club ice sessions operate a little differently than your typical public skate, but are similar to freestyles. There are patterns to each move a skater performs. Jumps are typically done on either end of the blue line, while spins are practiced in the middle of the rink. Skating Skills and Ice Dance patterns occur around the rink. Club sessions get busy, so we ask that anyone running a program please wear the yellow vest as a clear indicator of whose music it is. Club ice is limited to 20 skaters on one session.
Who is eligible to skate on club ice?
There are a few different categories of club ice offered this year!
Beginner Practice Ice – Skaters in Basic 5, Basic 6, Pre Freeskate, Freeskate 1, Adult 5, or Adult 6 may practice independently. Skaters in Snowplow Sam 3 or 4, Basic 1, 2, 3, or 4, or Adult 1, 2, 3, or 4 must be in a private lesson the entire time they are on the ice.
Beginner Ice – For skaters in Basic 5, Basic 6, Pre Freeskate, Freeskate 1, Adult 5, or Adult 6. The skater must be in a private lesson the entire time they are on the ice.
Intermediate Ice – For skaters who have passed Freeskate 1 or Adult 6 through standard Preliminary or Adult Bronze skating skills.
Advanced Ice – For skaters who have passed at least standard PreBronze or Adult Silver Skating Skills.
What is the difference between club ice and a freestyle session?
Club ice and a freestyle session operate similarly, but have a few distinctive differences. Primarily, club ice is capped at 20 skaters per session, while freestyle sessions do not have a limit. Club ice also requests that all skaters wear a yellow vest when running a program, while this is not a requirement for freestyles. You may not wear any form of headphone or earbud during club ice (unless in a virtual lesson or practicing a program). One earbud is allowed at all times on freestyles. Club ice sessions also have monitors watching the ice at all times, while freestyles do not. Freestyles are hosted and operated by Pegula Ice Arena. Club sessions are hosted and operated by Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club.
How do I register for club ice?
You can register for club ice through acuity. For questions regarding the scheduling system, please view the document on how to register via acuity here.
How do I cancel my booked session?
To cancel a pre-booked session in acuity, access the “appointments” button in the upper right hand corner after signing in. Once navigating here, you should be able to see all pre-booked sessions. Under each is a prompt to either “reschedule” or “cancel”. Choose “cancel” and a message will pop up saying that your session has been canceled. You will also receive an email from acuity confirming this. If you decide to reschedule, you will be prompted to select which day you would like to move your session to. The rest of the process continues as normal.
What does it mean if I can’t see a time block on acuity?
Acuity automatically tracks and updates the number of skaters scheduled for one session. If you can not see a time block on acuity, it likely means that session has already reached its 20 person max. Check back regularly as skaters often cancel sessions up until an hour before, and you may be able to find an open time slot.
Occasionally, a regular time slot will not be available because the session has been moved earlier or later. Please check the ice calendar for any updates to regularly scheduled session times.
What happens to a club session if the weather gets bad?
NVFSC follows all inclement weather policies set by both Pegula Ice Arena and Penn State. We will communicate any closures via social media and email. Session cancelations due to weather will be reimbursed to your account via a redeemable package code or voucher. Should the rink not be closed but you wish to cancel a session due to weather, you will need to manually do so via acuity.
Can I skate with my child on club ice?
All skaters on club sessions must be a member of USFS and have passed the appropriate skating levels to be on the session. If you have done both of these things you are more than welcome to register with NVFSC, book ice, and join us on a club session!
CoachingWho are your coaches?
All of our current coaches can be found under the coaching page here.
How do I find a coach?
Once you have viewed our current coaches on the coaches page and found one you think may be a good fit for skill level, it is your responsibility to reach out via the phone number or email listed below their profile. Our coaches love hearing from potential skaters, and will get back to you as soon as possible! You are also welcome to visit us during a club ice session and talk to them there.
How do I pay the coaches?
Coaches on NVFSC are paid individually by the skater/the skater’s family. Please ask your coach about their preferred payment method as you schedule lessons with them.
*Please note* – This system differs from how Pegula sponsored freestyle sessions pay coaches. Please check with the front desk if you have a lesson on a freestyle session.
Why should I work with a coach?
Coaches are experienced experts in the sport of figure skating who have spent time and energy pouring themselves into the sport, often from a young age. They are trained to be able to tell you how to improve an element, and able to take you further in the sport of figure skating while keeping you safe on the ice.
