Downhill skiing, snowboarding the perfect way to weather winter
When your car is covered in inches of snow it's easy to hate winter. Cheer up by putting that snow under your feet at one of these local ski spots.
Nearby slopes offer opportunities to ski, snowboard or go tubing even if you've never tried winter sports before. Some - like Villa Olivia in Bartlett - are right here in the suburbs, though for larger resorts you have to venture farther from home.
Remember, rental equipment adds to the tab if you need it, with the price varying depending on age, location and exact equipment. Helmets - available in some places for rental - are recommended by safety experts.
Villa Olivia Country Club, 1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett, (630) 289-1000; villaolivia.com
Hours: 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Prices: $12 to $37 for lift tickets; $14 to $20 for group lessons; $23 to $40 for private lessons
All skill levels will find something to do at Villa Olivia, right here in the suburbs. The spot includes a terrain park and a snowtubing hill and boasts a 180-foot vertical drop and quarter-mile long runs. There are six runs (from easy to "experts only") and one chairlift.
Alpine Valley Resort, W2501 County Road D, Elkhorn, Wis., (262) 642-7374; alpinevalleyresort.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Prices: $28 to $50 for lift tickets; $25 for group lessons; $50 for private lessons
Eight chairlifts are spread over Alpine Valley along with three special conveyor belts for kids. There are seven runs for each skill level, which go up 2,500 feet of distance with a 388-foot vertical drop. There's also plenty of freestyle terrain, as well as a bar and dining room for warming up and snacking.
Wilmot Mountain, 11931 Fox River Road, Twin Lakes, Wis. (262) 862-2301; wilmotmountain.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Prices: $15 to $42 for lift tickets; $15 for group lessons; $55 for private lessons
Advanced snowboarders and ski racers come to show off their skills at Wilmot Mountain along with first timers. The 230-foot-tall hill has very few trees along the 25 runs, allowing visitors to move freely. For novices there are six beginner runs and a rope tow area, plus lessons for all levels of expertise. A terrain park offers 33 features, including step-down jumps, rails and tabletop jumps. Staff grooms the area daily and changes the challenges around so it's never the same two days in a row. Construction on a snowtubing run is currently underway and marketing manager Matthew Jorgensen said they hope to have it open by next winter. When it's up and running, it will be one of the largest snowtubing parks in the country.
If you need to warm up between runs or want to grab a bite before heading home, the spot offers two full service bars.
Snowstar, 9500 126th St., Andalusia, Ill., (309) 798-2666; skisnowstar.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Prices: $19 to $31 for lift tickets; $10 to $45 for group lessons; $37 to $70 for private lessons
Snowstar has terrain for all skill levels but mostly appeals to beginning skiers and snowboarders. A separate training area for beginners has a moving walkway to take you up the hill, and their terrain park is mostly populated by kids and novices learning to do jumps and other acrobatic tricks. The area, which opened in 1981, is able to receive plenty of customers with 28 acres to ski on, four chairlifts and 1,200 pairs of skis and 500 snowboards at the rental shop. Tubing on their 70-foot-tall hill is also popular. A conveyor belt takes the one-person tubes to the top, though groups often hook their tubes and go down together.
Four Lakes Snowboarding and Skiing, 5790 Forest View Road, Lisle, (630) 963-3422; skifourlakes.com
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Prices: $25 for lift tickets; $16 to $20 for group lessons; $45 for private lessons
Four Lakes sports separate areas for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, plus an advanced terrain area. A bar and restaurant provides a spot to fuel up or grab a drink after a day on the slopes.