BLOOMINGTON - Just the sight of the new "Skate the Star" rink outside the Mall of America gets people excited.
"I used to play pond hockey so just to get out on the skates would be cool," said Tyler Montry, who works at the Mall of America.
"People are going to have fun," said Lori Angus, who says she isn't even into winter sports. "I run between the buildings."
The rink is refrigerated and it covers 12,000 square feet, meaning it will hold up to 200 skaters at a time.
Maryanne Smith, who stop to check it out with her daughter.
"Ice skating is just super festive and super fun," Smith said.
It's also free to skate, and rentals will only cost five dollars.
The free, winter activities also extend north on Saturday. Elm Creek Park Reserve is hosting the Nordic Ski Opener.
"To celebrate we're also waving all of our fees, so it's free rentals, free mini ski lessons as well as free passes for the day," said Karl Huemiller. "So if you've never been nordic skiing this is the best time to come out."
Huemiller said all of the metro Nordic Ski resorts have been making snow and have trails open for business.
"We're really unique here in the Twin Cities in that we have so much manufactured snow, I think we have the most manufactured snow in the country for Nordic Skiing," Huemiller said. "It's a great sport, and getting outdoors and being active, really makes winter so much more enjoyable."