A system and method for improving skating speed and strength of skaters, particularly ice skaters, employs an inclined skating ramp. The skating surface itself may be any of the conventional or yet-to-be-invented artificial ice surfaces. The inclination of the ramp provides a greater challenge for the skating student than a conventional flat skating surface. While the inclined ramp may have more than one lane, so that more than one student may skate side-by-side in competition with each other, it is preferred to have only a single lane and employ a timing system so that a student is skating “against the clock” and therefore focused on improvement of individual performance.