If there's one good thing about all the snow on the ground it's that ice skating is back in season. Skating is great exercise, lots of fun, and best of all gets the kids off the couch and away from the Wii.

In the city of Rochester you can head to the Genesee Valley Park ice rink (131 Elmwood Ave, 428-7889). Open skate takes place Mondays-Fridays noon-1:15 p.m., Fridays 10:30 p.m.-midnight, and Sundays 2-3:15 p.m. (Times are subject to change per rink availability; call the hotline at 428-7889 to be sure.) For would-be hockey players, Skate & Shoot takes place weekdays 1:30-2:45 p.m., with ages 10 and older allowed Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and ages 13 and older on Tuesdays and Fridays. Helmets are required for Skate & Shoot. Also look for a family fun night Saturday, March 1, 7-9 p.m. with music, contests, and more.

Manhattan Square Park's rink continues to be under construction, but other options include:

- Churchville Park (Kendall Road & Main St, Village of Churchville, Town of Riga, 256-4950) Outdoor rink located by Church Lodge off Main St. Call 753-PARK for rink conditions.

- EllisonPark (Blossom & Landing roads, 256-4950) Outdoor rink located in the parking lot off Blossom. No skate rentals, must bring your own. Call 753-PARK for rink conditions.

- ESL Sports Centre (2700 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Rd, 424-4625) Indoor rink.

- Frank Ritter Ice Arena (RIT campus, 475-2223) Indoor rink.

- SUNY Brockport Tuttle North Ice Arena (New Campus Drive, Brockport, 395-2244) Indoor rink. 

- ThomasCreek Ice Arena (80 Lyndon Rd, Fairport, 223-2130, tcice.com) Indoor rink.

- Webster Ice Arena (865 Publishers Parkway, Webster 787-3530, websterarena.org) Indoor rink.