During the winter months, Marshall and SW Minnesota turn into a winter playground for kids of all ages.

Skate in style at the Schwan's Arena throughout the winter. The arena is open to the public for Open Skate and Open Hockey at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. A monthly calendar of activities are available at the arena or at the Marshall Community Services office. Contact the Skate Rental Office for complete details at (507) 537-6795 or the Zamboni Room at (507) 532-5335. The Southwest Figure Skating Club provides an annual ice show in March of each year.

If you like to skate in the great outdoors, the city provides a skating rink at Independence Park complete with a heated warming shed, lights, parking lot and restrooms available.

After skating, take a trip or two down the Independence Park sliding hill on Lyon Street across from Park Side elementary. The hill is lit for evening sliding.

Area lakes offer some great ice fishing. Log on to www.dnr.state.mn.us for Minnesota's ice fishing rules and regulations.

Camden State park is the perfect place to spend the afternoon snowshoeing in a wooded river valley. Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park except on groomed trails.

Public Cross Country skiing is allowed at Independence Park. You can also enjoy cross country skiing at Garvin Park's 2.5 miles of trails in one of the most popular recreational areas in Lyon County, thirteen miles south of Marshall. Another option is to grab your skis and take a short drive to Camden State Park. Hit 5 miles of groomed Cross Country trails whenever there is 6 inches or more of snow on the ground. For more information on the conditions of the trails visit www.dnr.state.mn.us

For the snowmobilers, Southwest Ridge Runners publish a Lyon County Snowmobile Trail System map to make the journey more enjoyable. The maps can be picked up at the Marshall Chamber office as well as other locations through the county.