Where to ski and snowboard around Chicago
Skiing isn’t cheap. Since we’ve been cooped up for the past ten months I thought I’d research some outdoor activities regardless of cost. The best deals are passes, if you plan to return many times. All locations have specific Covid rules including limited capacity, purchase requirements, and more. Always review all information before purchasing tickets and/or heading out as things are changing constantly. Since the big snow all resorts are reporting capacity crowds so plan accordingly. Where to sled in the Chicago area. Where to hike in Chicago
Where to ski and snowboard around Chicago
Villa Olivia, 1401 W Lake St, Bartlett, 630-289-1000, Snow phone 630-540-4199. Tickets $32-$43; Passes available. Book in advance. Sells out.
Downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing available about an hour from the Chicago area. 100% snow making, ski and snowboard lessons for all levels, and rental equipment available ($5-33). The hill includes seven runs, a chairlift, six rope tows, and a tubing hill.
Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports, 5750 Lakeside Dr, Lisle, 630-964-2550. Tickets $21-$26; Passes available. Equipment rental $10-30. All tickets and rentals are first come, first served. In person sales at cashier only.
About one hour from Chicago Four Lakes offers a challenging Terrain Park for skiers and snowboarders of all skills levels. They rearrange and adjust features throughout the season. Lessons available.
Wilmot Mountain, 11931 W Fox River Rd, Wilmot, WI 630-289-1000. Tickets $64-$69; Passes available. Equipment rental $11-37. Tickets available online only. Lessons available.
Located 1.5 hours from Chicago, the new expanded progression terrain parks offer unique and innovative features designed and created by terrain park staff at Vail Resorts’ western resorts, as well as the addition of a new high-speed rope tow to enable skiers and snowboarders to spend more time in the terrain park.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 262-248-8811. Tickets $39-$60; Passes available. Equipment rental $10-$34. Lessons available.
1.5 hours from Chicago. 20 downhill ski runs and terrain designed for all ages, groups and abilities, trolley transportation available from guest rooms at Grand Geneva and Timber Ridge Lodge, three chairlifts, two carpet lifts, a six-acre terrain park.
Alpine Valley Resort, W2501 County Road, Elkhorn, WI 262-462-7374. Tickets $35-$79; Passes available. Equipment rental $10-35. Tickets available online only. Lessons available.
About two hours from Chicago Alpine Valley has over 90 skiable acres with 21 Runs, a vertical drop of 388 feet, and the longest run is 3,000 feet. The steepest run is Big Thunder and the longest slope is Alpine.
Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area, 13421 Mann St, Jones, MI, 269-244-5635. Tickets $35-$82; Buy in advance and save. Lift tickets are not available for same day purchase online. Lift tickets always available at the window. Passes available. Equipment rental available in package with lift ticket. Lessons available Snowsports Desk: 269-244-5635 ext: 245.
Located about two hours from Chicago Swiss Valley offers a ski and snowboard area with three runs, two terrain parks, seven lifts, ski school.
Timber Ridge, 07500 23 1/2 St, Gobles, MI, 269-694-9449. Tickets $34-$50; Passes available. Equipment rental $10-25. No lessons available.
Located about 2.5 hours from Chicago Timber Ridge offers eight ski lifts, two terrain parks, and a tubing park.
Where to ski and snowboard around Chicago
Bittersweet Resort, 600 River Rd, Otsego, MI, 269-694-2820. Tickets $35-$60; No reservations, no lift ticket capacity, in-person sales ONLY. Passes available. Equipment rental $10-35.
Located about 2.5 hours from Chicago Bittersweet has 350 vertical feet, 20 runs, seven chairs lifts, two wonder carpets, two rope tows, snowboarding terrain park, ski school. Mountain cam
Bittersweet Resort mountain cam Otsego, MI
Chestnut Mountain Resort, 8700 W Chestnut Rd, Galena, IL 800-397-1320. Tickets $40-$60; Purchase Your Lift Tickets/Rentals in advance to guarantee your spot and save time. Passes available. Equipment rental available in package with lift ticket. Lessons available.
Located 2.5 hours from Chicago Chestnut has over 220 rolling acres, a 475-foot vertical drop, 19 ski trails and a 7-acre terrain park featuring over 25 rails and structures. Two quad lifts, four triple chair lifts, two conveyor lifts and one surface lift,
Sundown Mountain Resort, 16991 Asbury Rd, Dubuque, IA, 563-556-6676. Tickets $31-$48; Passes available. Equipment rental available in package with lift ticket. Prepay online with SmartPass online lift ticket and rental ordering system.. Lessons available.
Located about 3.5 hours from Chicago Sundown offers a total vertical drop of 475 feet, 21 trails with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Runs; two terrain parks with progressive features.
Devil’s Head Resort, S6330 Bluff Rd, Merrimac, WI, 608-493-2204. Tickets $40-$66; Thursday Night Special $16 Lift Tickets All Ages (No black out dates). Passes available. Equipment rental $8-$34. Lessons available.
Just over three hours from Chicago Devil’s Head offers 300 Acres of Terrain, 500 vertical feet, longest run, 3,500 Feet, 30 Ski Trails Beginner-Expert. Nine lifts including one double, one triple, five quads, two wonder carpets. Snowmaking 100%. Cross Country 3 1/2 mile loop. Snow cams
COTC note: I went to a wedding at this resort, in summer, it’s a gorgeous area. The lodge is rustic but nice. We stayed in the two story building.
Devils Head Resort snow cam Merrimac, WI
Cascade Mountain, W10441 Cascade Mountain Rd, Portage, WI, 608-742-5588. Tickets $33-$79; Kids 12 or younger ski free when accompanied by a paid adult. Passes available. Pre-purchase and season pass holders only on Friday-Sunday and peak days. Pre-purchase recommended every day to ensure availability. Equipment rental $8-$119. Lessons available.
Three hours from Chicago. 47 trails, four terrain parks and an 800-foot-long chute for snow tubing. Snow cams
Crystal Mountain, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI, 855-995-5146. Tickets $35-$99; Passes available. Equipment rental $10-$50. Lessons available.
Five hours from Chicago. 58 Downhill Slopes, 27 Slopes Lighted for Night Skiing, 6 Glade Areas, 8 Lifts, Ski Terrain Beginner-Expert, Total Skiable Acres: 102 acres, Vertical Drop: 375 feet, 15.5 miles Cross-Country Skiing, 98% Snowmaking.
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