At some clubs, the normal procedure is for skaters to contract in advance for an entire season's worth of ice time.
In recent years, it has also become more common for privately owned commercial rinks to run figure skating sessions themselves.
In addition to being of benefit to skaters, test sessions are the primary means by which figure skating judges are trained.
A low-level skater might compete a few times a year at competitions hosted by various clubs in their region.
A few of the larger established club competitions attract elite competitors as well, who may use these events to try out new programs or receive a critique or evaluation from international judges.