C-Falls skaters performed in Whitefish show

Ice skaters from Glacier Skate Academy performed in the Christmas for All on Ice at the Stumptown Ice Den last week. A few of the ice skaters are from the Columbia Falls area.

Azlyn Caldwell, Tanis Blythe and Tara Shepard had only about two weeks to practice for the show, but that time adds up when they are on the ice for two hours five times a week. For other performances in the year, they sometimes have even less time to practice.

Sometimes the time crunch helps. Shepard, 18, said that her best performance was during the rehearsal on the day of the first show. She said she probably does better under pressure.

“I’m not afraid to be myself,” Shepard said.

She is the only child in her family and was home schooled in grade school and high school. She recently completed her first semester studying animation and 3-D modeling at Flathead Valley Community College, although she wants to keep skating as a hobby for as long as possible.

Fellow ice skater Blythe wants to make a career of ice skating by becoming a coach one day. The 16-year-old has participated in the Christmas shows since she started skating with the club six years ago. The Christmas for All show is a recent change to the annual Christmas show and incorporates music and inspiration from countries around the world.

“I like the feeling it gives you when you land a jump or a new spin or the sound your blade makes with the ice,” Blythe said. She is home schooled and gets to spend time with her 9-year-old sister who also skates in the club.

Blythe performed a step-out in the show, which meant the other skaters remained on the ice during the special routine.

Caldwell, 12, got to do her first solo in the Christmas show after skating in the club for four years. She’s had many step-outs in the past. Despite being busy with school and ice skating, it doesn’t take away from family time.

“My family always comes to the rink and watches me. I really like that.” she said.