Any advice on purchasing first ice skates for my 5 year old daughter? Brands, types of skates, fits?

if she is figure skating i suggest some jacksons i personally like jackson mistiques you could proberbly get some for £50 or £60 (about twice as much of your in dollars) for your daughter as i would think she has pretty small feet they would cost a little more for you because you proberbly have bigger feet. but just remember _ dont buy skates with room to grow. it will only end badly - always tie them tight - remember to get them sharpened when needed (if your going once a week, get them sharpened every 4-6 weeks) hope i was of help ;]

Figure Skates for sure. I bought my 5 year old hockey skates and she had a lot more trouble than the other kids. Once I made the switch to figure skates she was doing awesome. The flatter blade of the figure skates is easier for beginners that the rockered hockey blade.