Looking for a convenient ski location for winter family fun near the Chicago metro area? Check out these five kid-friendly locations close to home that offer skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Whether it’s a quick day trip or a winter weekend getaway, these five locations will be a hit with everyone in your family.
Chestnut Mountain Resort
- Address: 8700 W Chestnut Mountain Road, Galena, IL
- Phone number: (800) 397-1320
- Hours/ski times: Slope hours depend on month and weather conditions. See this link for updated hours: https://www.chestnutmtn.com/hours-of-operation/
- Tickets and rentals: Pricing depends on the time of the year.. Children 6 and under receive a free lift ticket.
Chestnut Mountain Resort is a ski resort that offers skiing, dining and lodging. Powder Pups lessons attract families with kids of all ages so they can be included in the fun. Several trails for beginner skiers are available.. Onsite of the 100-room hotel is an restaurant called the Summit Restaurant, making it easy to enjoy more time on the slopes and less time worrying about refueling. This resort has something for people of all ski and snowboard abilities to enjoy.
Villa Olivia Winter Sports
- Address: 1401 W Lake St., Bartlett, IL
- Phone number: (630) 289-1000
- Hours/ski times: See this link for hours: https://bartlettparks.org/villa-olivia/winter-sports/
- Tickets and rentals: Pricing ranges from $20-$51, based on age, rental length and more.
Villa Olivia Winter Sports offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing open from Dec. 19, 2025, to March 1, 2026, weather permitting. Beginning to advanced ski runs mean kids can enjoy beginner ski lessons and the snow kids program. The Villa Olivia Ski Café offers a variety of food and beverages, including Sunday Brunch from 10 a. m. to 1 p.m. for a family-friendly meal before a day on the slopes. This winter sports facility offers a day of winter fun less than an hour’s drive from Chicago.
Four Lakes Alpine Sports
- Address: 5750 Lakeside Drive Lisle, IL
- Phone number: (630) 964-2550
- Hours/ski times: Regular hours are 4-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Holiday hours may vary.
- Tickets and rentals: Day passes begin at $26. Flex passes begin at $98.
Four Lakes Alpine Sports is a skiing and snowboard facility that uses snow making and grooming equipment to maintain the trails. What makes them kid-friendly is that they have beginner ski trails and lessons available for all levels. The facility has a cafeteria, bar and restaurant, and the slopes are considered relatively easy. This makes it a great choice for small children who are trying skiing for the first time. It is important to note that this facility does not allow any outside food or drink. This facility is less than an hour’s driving distance from Chicago.
Snowstar
- Address: 9500 126th St. W, Andalusia, IL
- Phone number: (309) 798-2673
- Hours/ski times: 4-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Holiday hours may vary.
- Tickets and Rentals: https://skisnowstar.com/lift-tickets.html. See this link for equipment rental information: https://skisnowstar.com/rental-options.html.
Snowstar is a winter sports facility that offers skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. It is kid-and beginner-friendly because they offer several easy and average trails, as well as lessons for skiing and snowboarding. Note that outside food and beverages are not allowed at Snowstar. Food and beverages are available on-site at Snack Shack, The Lodge, Peak’s Tavern and Fireside Lounge.
Wilmot Mountain
- Address: 11931 Fox River Road, Wilmot, WI
- Phone number: (262) 862-2301
- Hours/ski times: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Tickets and rentals: Lift tickets begin at $75 for children and $79 for adults. Weekends and holiday prices may vary.
Wilmot Mountain is a full snow-making ski area that offers skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. It is kid-friendly because they offer lessons and have a variety of easy ski trails, as well as a beginner area. This ski spot has food and beverages on property at Ski Hill Grill, Walt’s Tavern and Lodge Bar. It is located within an hour and a half drive from the Chicago area. This makes it the perfect location for family weekend day trips.
