Coach Dave has led our Learn to Skate (LTS) program for the last 7 years and emphasizes fun, family, and encouragement to develop skating skills in a hockey environment.  Each child wears full hockey equipment (including stick) to each ice time and is accompanied on-ice by a parent (or other family member).  LTS is appropriate for both children who have little to no experience as well as those who are already skating comfortably.  Active involvement from parents (both Moms and Dads) as well as other extended family members is encouraged. . .  it helps reaffirm that hockey is very much a family experience!

This program is open to those residing within the Trails West area and, if room permits, to those who reside outside the TWHA area.  Please click here for a map outlining the Trails West communities.

Trails West Hockey Association (TWHA) is the provider of Minor Hockey programs for players residing in the following communities: Aspen Woods, Christie Park, Coach Hill, Discovery Ridge, Patterson Heights, Rosscarrock, Signal Hill, Springbank Hill,  Strathcona Park, Westgate and Wildwood. We are a volunteer driven, not-for-profit organization.  In order to contact us, please refer to our list of volunteers, then choose who best to email.  Check out our TWHA Bylaws.  Trails West, along with other Minor Hockey Associations in the Calgary area governed by Hockey Calgary.  Hockey Calgary is governed by Hockey Alberta, which is governed by Hockey Canada.

Parent Testimonials

Coach Dave Makarchuk and his assistants did a fantastic job with the children in the learn to skate program.  He keeps the sessions upbeat and develops a good rapport with all the kids on the ice.  He puts a lot of time into the practice plans to keep things interesting and challenging for the new players and moves them along to unassisted activities on the ice in preparation for moving to the Timbits program. His after practice “inspections” of the kids are legendary and are a highlight of the practice!    - Barclay C.

"My son loved the learn to skate program!  He had a ton of fun and progressed each and every ice time.  The coaches are well prepared, organized and run ice sessions that are fun and engaging for the kids.  Would definitely recommend this program to anyone interested in exposing their children to hockey"     - Tyler S.

Schedule

Program runs from late September/early October to mid-March.

Ice schedule permitting, ice times will be at Flames Community Arenas.

Ice times are typically mid-morning and alternate with one time on one weekend and two times the next.

*New for 2022-2023 Season - LTS will be scheduled every Saturday plus alternating Sundays

First ice time (tentative)

Saturday, September 24 at 9:00-10:00 AM Flames Community - Gold

Sunday, September 25 at 9:30-10:45 AM Flames Community - Blue

Registration

Registration is first come basis and is capped. It opens with all other TWHA program registrations for the upcoming season.

Registration is open to children ages 4-6 years old.

Please visit the Learn to Skate section under Members-Registration for all registration information.

Equipment

Every player must wear full hockey equipment plus have a hockey stick.

Parents who are on-ice with their player must wear a helmet and skates and preferably have a hockey stick.

At the first LTS ice time, players will receive a LTS jersey and matching hockey socks which are the player's to wear during the program and keep after the program has ended.

Hockey Calgary's Equipment & Care Information

Questions

Please contact the TWHA Administrator at admin@trailswesthockey.com with any questions about this program.