List of Ice Skating Sports A-Z
Ice skating sports are sports that involve skaters moving across an ice surface, whether it be a track or rink. The list of sports that fall under this category is pretty long, including everything from ice dancing to speed skating. Some have become national pastimes with professional leagues and franchises worldwide (like ice hockey), while others have more niche audiences. What many of them have in common is that the best way to see these sports performed by the best athletes in the world, all together in one setting, is the Winter Olympics. In fact, ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating are three of only five events that have been held at every Winter Olympic Games since the inception of the competition in 1924. One famous skater in the ice skating community who you may be familiar with if you’ve watched any figure skating competitions in the last ten years is Yuzuru Hanyu. Additionally, Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby are both extremely famous ice hockey players.
Ice Skating Sports List A to Z
- Bandy
- Barrel Jumping
- Figure Skating
- Ice Cross Downhill
- Ice Dancing
- Ice Hockey
- Ice Skating
- Long Track Speed Skating
- Pair Skating
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Single Skating
- Speed Skating
- Synchronized Skating
- Winter Triathlon
FAQ
What are ice skating sports?
Ice skating sports are sports that take place on an ice surface and involve competitors traversing that surface with ice skates. Ice skates are footwear consisting of a boot and blade, specifically designed to aid in moving across the ice. Sports that fall under this category include ice cross downhill, speed skating (both long and short track), and synchronized skating, among many others. A few of the more popular ice skating sports, in addition to speed skating, are figure skating, ice hockey, and ice skating.
What are the most popular ice skating sports?
Ice hockey, ice skating, and figure skating are three of the most popular sports. These sports have participants ranging from kids in youth leagues and adults who practice recreationally to professionals who compete on national and world stages. The National Hockey League is the main organization through which professional ice hockey players compete. The NHL is made up of 32 teams from both the United States and Canada. On the other hand, figure skating is routinely one of the most-watched sports of the Winter Olympic Games.
Which ice skating sports can be played in the summer?
The answer to this question is largely dependent on where the prospective participant is. If someone happens to live in an area with ice on the ground year-round, they could likely play any number of ice skating sports in the summer. If you happen to live in a warmer climate and prefer not to buy a plane ticket every time you feel the urge to don a pair of ice skates, you should look into indoor ice skating rinks in your area. These locations are good for just about any indoor ice skating sport but may not be ideal for speed skating.
What is the basic equipment needed for ice skating sports?
There are a lot of sports that qualify as ice skating sports, so various iterations of ice skating sports may require different equipment. The following is a list of some of the most basic items that will likely be necessary for any ice skating sport:
- Ice skates
- Socks or tights
- Ice skating bag
- Skate guards
- Towel
- Safety equipment
- Appropriate clothing
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, and the contents may vary depending on the sport, but these pieces of equipment should be transferable across most ice skating disciplines.