If you love snowy sports, you’re in luck! Chicago is close to a number of resorts and areas that make for the perfect winter day or weekend getaway. Find the coolest spots to ski, snowboard and snow tube below.
Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports
- Address: 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle
Whether you’re an experienced skier or first-time snowboarder, Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports operates on an “anyone can do it” philosophy, offering lessons for littles as young as six. The facility has mild hills with towropes, making it a popular destination for beginning snow sports enthusiasts.
Villa Olivia
- Address: 1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett
Villa Olivia is a smaller park with seven downhill runs and a tubing hill that’s close to home and is a great option for beginners. They offer a Snow Kids program that focuses on safety, fun and learning, with a goal of getting the little ones comfortable with basic skiing and snowboarding skills.
Wilmot Mountain
One of the Midwest’s premier winter destinations for snow sport activities, Wilmot Mountain boasts nearly 120 skiable acres with 25 trails, and 22 lanes of tubing. They also have a dedicated ski and snowboard school for kids.
Alpine Valley Resort
- Address: W2501 Co Rd D, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Alpine Valley Resort offers some of the most diverse skiing and snowboarding terrain in the Midwest, with more than 100 acres of skiable terrain and a vertical drop of 388 feet spread out over 20 runs. There’s also a ski school for newbies. Insider tip: If you’re already making the drive to Alpine Valley, consider a 30-minute detour to Lake Geneva to see the ice castles.
Sunburst Winter Sports Park
Boasting more than 40 tubing lanes and two conveyors to take tubers to the top, Sunburst Winter Sports holds the record for the world’s largest tubing park! In addition to tubing, there are ski trails and snowboard runs for all skill levels.
Snowstar Winter Sports Park
- Address: 9500 126th Street West, Andalusia
Snowstar is a family-friendly ski park located just outside the Quad Cities, with 28 acres of skiable terrain and 15 trails. The park also offers night skiing and tubing — a fun option for families looking to try something different.
Timber Ridge Ski Area
- Address: 07500 23 1/2 St., Gobles, Michigan
Timber Ridge Ski Area is Southwest Michigan’s oldest and largest ski area with 40 acres of skiing, snowboarding, and a snow tubing park. Great for families who want to experience the beauty of Pure Michigan, Timber Ridge caters to winter sport enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Bittersweet Ski Resort
Address: 600 River Road, Otsego, Michigan
Located in the scenic Kalamazoo River Valley, Bittersweet Ski Resort has 20 runs and 6 chairlifts, a ski school and 3 Wonder Carpet lifts on the bunny slopes, making it optimal for first-time skiers.
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