Five Things to Know About Coach Howarth

When you step into Glacier Ice Arena, it doesn’t take long to feel the influence of Chris Howarth. A former Olympian, lifelong coach, and dedicated mentor, Chris brings decades of figure skating experience to the rink and inspires everyone around him with his knowledge, humor, and passion for the sport. Here are five things to know about Coach Howarth.

1. His Skating Journey Started in England and Led to the Olympics
Chris grew up in Brighton, England, and first laced up skates at the age of seven. By 16, he was already the junior national champion, and at 19, he claimed the senior national championship title. His talent and hard work earned him a spot on the British National Team, competing at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY. At that time, he was ranked second in England behind Robin Cousins, who went on to win Olympic gold. Later that same year, Chris captured the British National Championship himself.

Chris’s skating career also included time living in the Netherlands, and in 2005 he moved to the United States. Alongside his competitive and coaching career, he became a respected broadcaster, covering figure skating, short track, and speed skating for EuroSport and Olympic Broadcasting Services. Today, he continues to share his voice and expertise with audiences as part of Peacock’s figure skating coverage.

2. Skating Runs in the Family
Chris’s love of skating is something that has been woven into his family life from the very beginning. He met his wife, Beverley, when they were both teenagers training under the same coach. Beverley was also a competitive skater, finishing third at the British Nationals in 1980. The couple married in 1982 and have been partners on and off the ice ever since.

Their son, James, was born in 1984 and, while he tried skating, his athletic path took a different turn. James pursued hockey instead, eventually becoming captain of the England Under-14 National Team. Today, James lives in Cleveland, OH with his wife, Renne, and their two children, Cameron and Norah.

3. Coaching Has Been His Lifelong Calling
Chris began coaching in 1981, meaning he has now spent more than four decades guiding skaters. His first position was at a rink in Peterborough, England, where he not only coached but also managed the facility. He later moved to Bracknell as head coach and rink manager.

Chris has also contributed to the sport in innovative ways. He co-founded John Watts Skates, acquiring a factory in Sheffield to design and manufacture skating blades. His company pioneered blades designed differently for left and right skates to improve jump performance, a concept ahead of its time. Notably, his blades were used by Michael Weiss, a three-time U.S. National Champion. From 2001–2004, Chris served as the national coach for Team Netherlands before moving to the United States, where he has continued to coach and inspire skaters of all levels.

4. Figure Skating Builds More Than Skills—It Builds Character
When asked why figure skating makes such a strong youth sport, Chris points to the values it instills: discipline, dedication, and resilience. But it goes even further. Skating teaches young athletes how to balance artistry with athleticism, pushing them to express themselves creatively while training their bodies to perform at the highest level.

Unlike many team sports, figure skating requires athletes to take complete responsibility for their performance, building confidence, independence, and mental toughness. At the same time, the hours of practice, learning from mistakes, and striving for improvement foster perseverance and patience—skills that carry into every aspect of life. Chris believes these lessons make figure skating one of the best sports for developing not only great athletes but also strong, determined individuals.

5. Glacier Ice Arena is Home Because of the People
Today, Chris serves as facilities and pro shop manager at Glacier Ice Arena while continuing to coach private lessons. For him, Glacier isn’t just a workplace—it’s a community. “The main reason I love it here is the people,” he said. “We’re like a family. Everyone supports each other, and it’s been a real success story in terms of our teams and individual athletes.”