What's the Difference Between Ice Dancing and Figure Skating? Olympian Evan Bates Explains (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

• The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics kicked off on Feb. 6
• The Games will see some of the top ice dancers and figure skaters go for the gold
• Olympic ice dancer Evan Bates spoke to PEOPLE in 2018 about the key differences between the ice sports

Some of the world's top ice dancers and figure skaters are going for gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

As interest in ice dancing surges, fans are gearing up to tune in and cheer on their favorite athletes. But with figure skating already a staple of the Olympic Games, every four years many people seem to have the same question: What’s the difference between pairs figure skating and ice dancing?

The short answer is that ice dancing — which was the subject of Netflix's Glitter and Gold — falls under the broader umbrella category of figure skating, along with pairs and synchronized skating, per the official U.S. Figure Skating website.

In 2018, PEOPLE sat down with Olympic ice dancer Evan Bates — who has already won gold in the 2026 Games alongside his wife, Madison Chock — to clarify some of the biggest differences between the two sports.

Below, here's everything to know about the key differences between ice dancing and figure skating, according to experts.

Ice dancing has more “restrictions” — including jumping

Bates, whose partner is Madison Chock, told PEOPLE in 2018 that ice dancing has "more restrictions" compared to figure skating.

"We can only do lifts that are below the head so I can’t raise my hands above my head, which is a really easy distinction when you’re trying to differentiate between pairs and ice dancing," he said.

Ice dancing puts emphasis on having a graceful and entertaining routine

According to Shape, ice dancing places more importance on having a graceful and entertaining routine compared to figure skating.

"We’re really more like ballroom dancers," Bates said. "We’re interpreting music, putting a lot of emphasis on the connection between the couple and on the connection to the music."

Ice dancers work together in pairs to complete their routine, and the music that they dance to must have a steady rhythm for skating. According to PolyGlide Ice, figure skating allows more freedom in choosing whether performers skate to the beat of the music.

Figure skating is focused on heavy lifts and jumps

Figure skating focuses more on leaps and spins compared to ice dancing.

San Diego Ice Arena coach and former ice dancer Justin Ross spoke to NBC San Diego in February 2014, explaining that you won't see jumps and over-the-head lifts in an ice dancing routine.

The training process differs for ice dancing and figure skating

Just as the performances differ slightly for ice dancing and figure skating, so does the training process.

According to PolyGlide Ice, figure skating training involves emphasis on jumps, spins, strength and flexibility on and off the ice. Meanwhile, training for ice dancers involves perfecting twizzles and footwork sequences, as well as working on interpretation, expression and timing of the performances.

Figure skaters are scored based on their footwork, while ice dancers are evaluated by precision of their moves

Figure skaters are scored based on connecting their footwork for all of their various moves, but ice dancers are evaluated by the precision of their moves, per Bates.

While pairs figure skating is judged by its throws and jumps, ice dancing pairs are scored more on how they move together as one, according to Ross. For example, if one dancer moves or spins at a slightly different pace than their partner, it could mean huge point deductions.

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.

Read the original article on People