Annual on-ice show features local skaters coming together as a team

Eleven-year-old Kensington Blystone spent the better part of the summer in a permanent neck brace and off the ice.

Blystone, who has been ice skating with the Glacier Skate Academy since 2020, underwent a major surgery in June to improve instabilities in her neck that she’s dealt with since birth. An occipital cervical fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently fuses her neck and skull to correct instability. Following surgery, Blystone spent four months with restricted activity and movement while recovering.

Despite the major surgery, her first question to her neurosurgeon after the operation was “When can I skate again?” Her passion for skating and support from the Glacier Skate Academy (GSA) kept her focused on her recovery and she met her goal — to be back on ice performing in the annual winter ice show.

The Glacier Skate Academy produces the Winter Wonderland Ice Show every year to showcase its skaters and provide a winter holiday experience for the community.

For over a decade, the annual show has combined ice skating with music, lighting and on-ice decorations which became a community favorite around the holiday season. Glacier Skate Academy will have three performances this year — Saturday, Dec. 16, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. at the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish. The show is also the nonprofit club’s largest fundraiser of the year.

This year’s show is designed by Kimmi Jeffers, show director and head coach for Glacier Skate Academy, and Elyse Knudsen, GSA coach and assistant show director. Jeffers says the process of creating this show is long but rewarding, as she began searching for music and building group numbers in her head in July. The rehearsals begin in October and by Thanksgiving GSA aims to have the show ready with just minor adjustments remaining until the show weekend mid-December.

“It takes a long time because finding the right music, you always want something unique and that has some sort of message in some of the songs; something that’s uplifting,” she said.

The show includes some Christmas music and some goofy comedy numbers, but most carry a general winter theme with beautiful skating. Jeffers tries hard to create a unique show and have very few repeat songs from previous years. About 40 kids are participating this year and the 29 numbers include group performances and solos from all different levels and ages of skaters.

Jeffers said this year the kids’ skating has improved so drastically that she had to hold auditions for solos for the first time. She says their skating is impressive and that has ramped up this year’s show.

“I’m very excited about this show,” Jeffers expressed. “It’s just the love being put into it and I’m hoping the community feels that. You know the kids have worked their booties off.” 

Jeffers, and GSA coach Kyla Jewell, both agreed that skating is often an individual sport. Competing can be a grind sometimes, so changing focus to performing on ice is a nice change of pace for the kids.

“During those holiday times, it’s fun for us to be able to put a little show on and for the kiddos to switch gears from competing and training,” Jewell said.

“It’s kind of their favorite thing – they look forward to it,” Jeffers added.

And as they prepare for the show, GSA skaters also get the opportunity to work together as a team. Kids learn to skate with their teammates from different levels and the camaraderie of the club shows on the ice.

“It’s such an individual sport, yet it also has a team aspect,” Jeffers said. “So they’re learning sportsmanship, how to be adaptable in given situations... how to persevere, determination, work ethic and it just builds camaraderie.”

This year Blystone felt the support from her teammates even more so as she recovered from her surgery. She says even though she couldn’t skate, her teammates and coaches made her feel included and part of the team.

“It's been really fun (preparing for the show) because my team and my coaches just have been really supportive of me and just helping me get back on the ice slowly,” Blystone said.

Though nervous to get back on the ice at first, Blystone has made a full recovery. Before the surgery, she had restrictions and couldn’t pairs skate or do intense jumps, but now she has the freedom to try anything.

“My coaches now say that I’m stronger than I was before,” she said. “I’m really excited about the ice show.” 

Blystone and the other skaters will be performing alongside professional skater Amie Miyagi this year. Miyagi is a three-time U.S. National competitor and a five-time United States Figure Skating gold medalist while training full-time alongside some of the best competitive skaters in the country. GSA brings in a guest skater for the ice show each year.

The Winter Wonderland on-ice show is also GSA’s largest fundraiser of the year. The nonprofit skate academy raises funds to provide scholarships to participants in need of financial assistance, as well as money for new equipment, ice time and keeping the cost of participating down. 

Ticket sales as well as food and beverage sales at the show raise funds. There are also raffle items. Glacier Skate Academy is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports youth in the Flathead Valley and services 350-400 youth per year in their programs at Stumptown Ice Den.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://www.glacierskateacademy.org/

Skaters perform during the Glacier Skate Academy show 'Winter Wonderland on Ice' at the Stumptown Ice Den in December 2022. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)