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Make the snow work for you at area sled hills

Lots of fresh snow and more on the way mean just one thing for suburban kids - sledding! Here are some of our favorite local spots.

Blackwell Forest PreserveButterfield Road west of Winfield Road, near WarrenvilleWhy it's great: $4 rents you a tube to use all day on the 800-foot run. What to watch out for: Open only on weekends and school holidays; hill closes at 4 p.m. and tube rental ends at 3:30 p.m.Rules: Don't bring your own tube - you have to rent. No sleds.Other amenities: Cross-country skiers can use groomed trails, and you might spot dog sledders on designated trails.Caboose Park27908 Fairfield Road, near Lake VillaWhy it's great: In addition to a sizable hill, Caboose Park has one of the area's few toboggan chutes.What to watch out for: People climbing up in the center of the hill, not the sides.Rules: Don't build jumps and ramps.Other amenities: Lighted until 10 p.m. Proximity to hot chocolate: A short drive east in Lake Villa.Deer Grove Forest PreserveQuentin Road north of Dundee Road, PalatineWhy it's great: This hill no longer rents toboggans to go down chutes, but still has a sled run that ends over icy Deer Grove Lake for a l-o-o-ng ride.What to watch out for: Chunks of ice at the bottom.Rules: No skis, inflatable tubes, carpets, snowboards or metal-rail sleds. Kids under 12 need a helmet and adult supervision. Other amenities: Open until 10 p.m. with lights.Proximity to hot chocolate: Caribou Coffee, 581 E. Dundee Road (just west of Rand Road), is a short drive awayFabyan Forest PreserveEntrances on Route 25 and Route 31 north of Fabyan Parkway, near Geneva Why it's great: Spectacular setting with a historic Dutch windmill and the Fox River as backdrops.What to watch out for: Don't look here for solitude, though the wide hill accommodates crowds well.Other amenities: Lighted on Friday and Saturday evenings.Proximity to hot chocolate: With the park sandwiched between Geneva and Batavia, sustenance is a short drive away.Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve41W600 Hughes Road, ElburnWhy it's great: A long, steep hill makes for fast sledding and snowboarding, often with a few homemade ramps.What to watch out for: Not the best choice for small children.Other amenities: Warming house, sometimes with a fire. Proximity to hot chocolate: Take a thermos - the vicinity remains semi-rural.Lakewood Forest PreserveFairfield and Ivanhoe roads, near WaucondaWhy it's great: The pretty, wooded setting will make you feel like you're in a Norman Rockwell painting until your first trip down this death-defying, steep run. What to watch out for: It's a long walk back up; a handrail helps. Can get crowded; arrive while the snow is fresh.Rules: No snowboards or sleds with metal runnersOther amenities: Lighted until 9 p.m.; a small skating pond is near the parking area.Proximity to hot chocolate: A short drive west in WaucondaMeineke Recreation Center220 E Weathersfield Way, SchaumburgWhy it's great: A kid-friendly hill with plenty of space.What to watch out for: Afternoon sun heats up the west-facing hill and it can get icy, which some say adds to the fun. Other amenities: Meineke Recreation Center next door offers a place to warm up or for parents to work out while older kids sled.Proximity to hot chocolate: It's Schaumburg - restaurants are everywhere.North Salk Park3160 Owl Drive, Rolling MeadowsWhy it's great: Family friendly, with steps for the climb back up.What to watch out for: Little tykes lingering at the bottom.Rules: No sledding if a red flag is posted; yellow flag means use caution. Other amenities: Lighted in the evenings.Proximity to hot chocolate: The sled hill's right in town, so plenty of options are close by.Randall Oak Park1180 N. Randall Road, West DundeeWhy it's great: A good, fast ride but not too intimidating for younger kids. What to watch out for: Crowds on weekends.Rules: Snowboarding is allowed.Other amenities: Scenic, wooded setting near a historic schoolhouse. Proximity to hot chocolate: McDonald's, Wendy's, Culver's, Garibaldi's and more are less than a half mile away.Rotary HillRiverwalk north of Aurora Avenue and west of Eagle Street, Naperville Why it's great: The steepest point in the city, but not too scary for little kids.What to watch out for: Popular spot gets crowded after fresh snow. Rules: No skiing, snowboarding or metal-railed sleds.Other amenities: Carillon rings every hour so you don't have an excuse to get home late; downtown Naperville location gives parents good shopping options while older kids sled.Proximity to hot chocolate: Snack shop adjacent to hill.Veterans AcresRoute 176 and Walkup Road, Crystal LakeWhy it's great: Two hills (made by glaciers, not bulldozers) offer serious sledding.What to watch out for: Your hat - these hills are fast and steep.Other amenities: Ice skating; a warming house; lights on one hill at night.Proximity to hot chocolate: Downtown Crystal Lake is minutes away. bull; Daily Herald staff contributed to this reportFalse20001419Ian Smith of Geneva (back with the adult legs) and his kids Nathan Smith,8, and Ian Smith Jr, 8, are all three on one sled as it goes airborne over a ramp at Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn Monday afternoon. The hill was packed with sledders because of some fresh snow and the King holiday.Jeff Knox | Staff PhotographerFalse