Are you planning snowboarding and skiing near Chicago to have winter fun with family and friends? Then this article is for you. Although Illinois is one of the flattest states, there are still great opportunities for skiing within a few hours’ drive of Chicago.
We are sure that this content will help guide you about the best skiing resorts near Chicago, where you can plan a perfect day trip or a weekend trip this winter 2021 and make it memorable for the years to come. Even if you don’t know skiing or snowboarding, they have the provisions to make you learn and explore the best slopes close to Chicago!
Places To Go Skiing Near Chicago
Here is a list of resorts where you can go snowboarding and skiing near Chicago after a few hours’ drive:
About an hour-and-a-half drive from Chicago, Wilmot Mountain is one of Chicago’s best and closest traditional ski resorts to offer skiing near Chicago. It is 40 miles south-southwest of Milwaukee and 55 miles north of Chicago. It has 120 acres of space that provides 25 trails, 4 terrain parks, 7 lifts, and 2 conveyor lifts. This is suited for you if you are an expert or amateur and allows you to have endless fun. They have a separate terrain park for all the snowboarders interested in different kinds of tricks. To say they have something for everyone would not be wrong. Even if you don’t like skiing and snowboarding much, it has got a 22-lane snow tubing set up that you can try. Not just this, it has 25 one-of-a-kind runs that eight chairlifts can access. In the beginners’ practice area, they also have 3 two ropes. If you are someone who loves cruising, they have something for you as well. You can find long green and blue runs to satisfy your craving for cruising. Address: 11931 Fox River Rd, Wilmot, WI 53192, United States Contact: 262-862-2301Wilmot Mountain
These western burbs hills consist of two bunny slopes and have been there for around half a century now! It is just about a one-hour drive from Chicago. It has day and night skiing and bunny and is the best place for beginners to ski. This has one terrain park and two intermediate inclines, which are accessible by tow ropes. The range is 100 feet in elevation and features seven different lifts with two strings. It also offers different kinds of slopes to test skiers and boarders to check their improvement levels. You can expect private and group lessons from them, and they also provide gear rentals to everyone. Usually, there are ski lifts in other resorts, but they have two ropes to make you go up the hills. It is small, near Chicago, and has several different trails that you can explore in one day, and your kids will enjoy it. The best time to visit this one of the best ski resorts near Chicago is between December and March. Location: 5750 Lakeside Dr. Lisle IL 60532 Contact: 630.964.2550Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports
Villa Olivia is one of the best areas for winter sports recreation like skiing near Chicago operated by the Bartlett Park District. Unlike others, they offer on-site amenities, including cafes and restaurants. This place is around 37 miles away from Chicago and takes about an hour to reach. It is suited for both beginners and intermediate. It has 7 ski runs serviced by 1 chairlift and 6 rope tows that allow limitless fun. At Villa Olivia, they also let you take gear on rent. For the non-skiers, Villa Olivia has a tubing hill with a magic carpet lift that provides ultimate fun for the family. This great skiing area has something for everyone. It allows weddings, showers, lunch, meetings, Sunday brunches, golf, skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and much more. Location: 1401 W Lake Street Bartlett, IL 60103 Contact: 630-289-1000Villa Olivia (Skiing Near Chicago)
At 92 miles from Chicago, Alpine Valley Resort is a perfect option for snow skiing near Chicago for advanced snowboarders and skiers. It is a 2 hours drive from the city and offers over 90 acres of trails for skiers of all levels. Alpine has 21 ski runs, a vertical drop of 388 feet, 3 terrain parks, and a long run of 3,000 feet. Though more fit for intermediate ones, it also has challenging trails for more advanced skiers/snowboarders to experience the thrill. They recently introduced a new learning-to-ski area based on “terrain-based learning.” This method uses a sculpted gentle slope to help the skiers develop turning and stopping. If you feel the need to relax between ski runs by chance, the resort has many amenities. They allow you to rent a room, have a top-class hotel, restaurant, and indoor pool. But, you should note that you can visit Alpine only when the weather is fine. Try checking their website before you visit. Location: W2501 County Road D Elkhorn, WI 53121 Contact: 262-642-7374Alpine Valley Resort
Chestnut Mountain Resort can be for you if you are looking for skiing near Chicago and plan to spend some quality time this weekend. It is located near Galena, Ill., and is about 160 miles from Chicago. It has 19 trails ranging from green, easy slopes to terrifying black diamonds. These trails are spread over 220 acres. It has a 475-foot drop from the highest to the lowest point on the trails and offers unlimited thrill. There is plenty of variety on the mountain, from the gentle glide of the bunny slope to black-diamond runs. At a 3 hours drive from Chicago, it is suited for all skiers, whether beginner or advanced. As a beginner, you also get the opportunity to learn and practice. It is a full-service play area and offers an array of amenities, accommodations, and activities. Chestnut is also an excellent option to stay and play. It is deemed as one of the top ski destinations in Illinois right now. Location: 8700 W Chestnut Mountain Rd, Galena, IL 61036, United States Contact : +1 800-397-1320Chestnut Mountain Resort – Skiing Near Chicago
At a distance of 82 miles from Chicago, Timber Ridge Ski Resort is a place where you can strap on some skis and enjoy winter activities. It is the highest natural vertical rise in Southwest Michigan, and the skiing and riding are spread over 50 acres. This resort is not as large as the other alternatives near Chicago. However, it has a black diamond trail for more experienced snowboarders and skiers. It also offers several easy to intermediate slopes. For around 60 years, it has offered skiing near Chicago for both beginner and intermediate levels. For the visitors, it provides a Snowshoe Deck Bar & Grill to get some drinks and relax. It has several dozen trails and 2 terrain parks to let you experience the thrill. Timber Ridge possesses gentle slopes and steep bruisers to offer everyone much-needed joy. It is advised that you should check their website before visiting as it only opens during the right weather conditions. Address: 07500 23 1/2 St, Gobles, MI 49055, United States Contact: +1 269-694-9449Timber Ridge Ski Resort
Conclusion
Winter activities are fun with family and friends. The above mentioned are some places to go skiing near Chicago that let you experience the real pleasures of winter life. If you are willing to spend a day or a weekend with friends and family, these are some of the best ski and snowboard options for beginners and experts.
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