Who are the Northernettes? Based out of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, the Northernettes organization was founded in 2017 by Alana Christie and is a high level and competitive synchronized skating program. While creating an exciting opportunity for accomplished skaters, our goal is to build competitive synchronized skating teams committed to success on the National and International levels. We offer levels from developmental to qualifying, and are committed to giving our skaters the tools to be successful and to grow within the sport.
Why Synchronized Skating? Synchronized skating is an incredible team sport that teaches young athletes about teamwork, commitment, and discipline on and off the ice. Skating on a higher level team is competitive and challenging, and our accomplished skaters, all have a passion for the sport and a dedication to their team. Competing as a synchro skater allows you incredible travel and competition opportunities, and the chance to share those experiences with like minded individuals.
Is synchronized skating experience required to be part of the Northernettes? No! We welcome skaters from singles, pairs and dance disciplines, too. Successful synchronized skaters come from all figure skating backgrounds. You need to be able to do a variety of freestyle moves to be a well rounded synchro skater!
Do I have to give up my private coaches or individual skating? Definitely not! We encourage our athletes to continue in other disciplines of skating and to continue pursuing higher test levels. Many of our athletes continue to test, train and compete individually.
Where do Northernettes skaters come from? Our skaters come from all over the greater Twin Cities area and beyond, from Eau Claire and St. Cloud and all points between.
What are Northernettes Open Houses Days? Our Open Houses are meant to introduce skaters to the Northernettes organization with synchronized skating instruction from our coaching staff. Skaters will participate in both individual synchro and team synchro skills.
Where do the Northernettes teams practice? We practice at several rinks in the Twin Cities area including (but not limited to) Breck Anderson Ice Arena, Ridder Ice Arena (at the University of Minnesota), Pleasant Ice Arena, National Sports Center and Bloomington Ice Garden.
How much does it cost to be a Northernette? Team Fees are paid monthly and include the following: ice time, coaching, custom competition dress, all team practice/competition apparel, all busing, hotel, and meals at all competition, all competition registration, and any outside consultants (for more specifics, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask!)
Do you offer fundraising options? Yes! We offer a wide range of Fundraising options for families to participate in to help offset Team Fees. For more information, please ask!
When do our teams practice?
Weekly practice times for Junior:
The Northernettes Junior Team practices 9-10 hours per week on ice, over 3-4 weekly practice sessions (most practices preceded by 15 minutes of off ice practice). Junior has 2 practices during the week and 1-2 practices on the weekend. Additional off ice training is conducted during the summer and fall months.
Weekly practice times for Novice:
The Northernettes Novice Team practices 5-6 hours per week on ice, over 2-3 weekly practice sessions (most practices preceded by 15 minutes of off ice practice). Novice has 1 practice during the week and 1 or 2 practices on the weekend. Additional off ice training is conducted during the summer and fall months.
Weekly practice times for Juvenile
The Northernettes Juvenile Team practices 4 hours per week on ice, over 2 weekly practice sessions (most practices preceded by 15 minutes of off ice practice). Juvenile has 1 practice during the week and 1 practice on the weekend.
Weekly practice times for Preliminary:
The Northernettes Preliminary Team practices 2 hours per week on ice, over 2 weekly practice sessions. They have 1 practice during the week and 1 practice on the weekend.
Weekly practice times for Aspire:
The Northernettes Aspire Team practices 1 hours per week on ice, over 1 weekly practice sessions.
Why Synchronized Skating? Synchronized skating is an incredible team sport that teaches young athletes about teamwork, commitment, and discipline on and off the ice. Skating on a higher level team is competitive and challenging, and our accomplished skaters, all have a passion for the sport and a dedication to their team. Competing as a synchro skater allows you incredible travel and competition opportunities, and the chance to share those experiences with like minded individuals.
Is synchronized skating experience required to be part of the Northernettes? No! We welcome skaters from singles, pairs and dance disciplines, too. Successful synchronized skaters come from all figure skating backgrounds. You need to be able to do a variety of freestyle moves to be a well rounded synchro skater!
Do I have to give up my private coaches or individual skating? Definitely not! We encourage our athletes to continue in other disciplines of skating and to continue pursuing higher test levels. Many of our athletes continue to test, train and compete individually.
Where do Northernettes skaters come from? Our skaters come from all over the greater Twin Cities area and beyond, from Eau Claire and St. Cloud and all points between.
What are Northernettes Open Houses Days? Our Open Houses are meant to introduce skaters to the Northernettes organization with synchronized skating instruction from our coaching staff. Skaters will participate in both individual synchro and team synchro skills.
Where do the Northernettes teams practice? We practice at several rinks in the Twin Cities area including (but not limited to) Breck Anderson Ice Arena, Ridder Ice Arena (at the University of Minnesota), Pleasant Ice Arena, National Sports Center and Bloomington Ice Garden.
How much does it cost to be a Northernette? Team Fees are paid monthly and include the following: ice time, coaching, custom competition dress, all team practice/competition apparel, all busing, hotel, and meals at all competition, all competition registration, and any outside consultants (for more specifics, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask!)
Do you offer fundraising options? Yes! We offer a wide range of Fundraising options for families to participate in to help offset Team Fees. For more information, please ask!
When do our teams practice?
Weekly practice times for Junior:
The Northernettes Junior Team practices 9-10 hours per week on ice, over 3-4 weekly practice sessions (most practices preceded by 15 minutes of off ice practice). Junior has 2 practices during the week and 1-2 practices on the weekend. Additional off ice training is conducted during the summer and fall months.
Weekly practice times for Novice:
The Northernettes Novice Team practices 5-6 hours per week on ice, over 2-3 weekly practice sessions (most practices preceded by 15 minutes of off ice practice). Novice has 1 practice during the week and 1 or 2 practices on the weekend. Additional off ice training is conducted during the summer and fall months.
Weekly practice times for Juvenile
The Northernettes Juvenile Team practices 4 hours per week on ice, over 2 weekly practice sessions (most practices preceded by 15 minutes of off ice practice). Juvenile has 1 practice during the week and 1 practice on the weekend.
Weekly practice times for Preliminary:
The Northernettes Preliminary Team practices 2 hours per week on ice, over 2 weekly practice sessions. They have 1 practice during the week and 1 practice on the weekend.
Weekly practice times for Aspire:
The Northernettes Aspire Team practices 1 hours per week on ice, over 1 weekly practice sessions.
