Four-story “Polar Peak” snow hill opens Friday in Rosemont entertainment district
There may not be any real snow on the ground, but Rosemont's four-story tubing hill is ready for its inaugural ride Friday night.
Polar Peak is the latest addition to the host of winter activities at the village's MB Financial Park entertainment district. The hill, constructed over the past few weeks with shipping containers, truss systems and (for now) artificial snow, features five distinct lanes, include a less steep lane for younger children, and a 260-foot run.
The hill is modeled after one constructed last year at Boston's Fenway Park - except Rosemont's is about double the height. The village paid Maine-based StackBox Structures $357,836 to build the hill.
Polar Peak opens to the public at 7 p.m. Friday, running through 10 p.m. From 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday, Rosemont residents will be able to tube for free, before public tubing begins at noon.
It costs $20 an hour for unlimited tubing; tickets can be purchased on-site or online at mbparkatrosemont.com/frozemont. Visit the website or call (847) 349-5551 for a complete schedule of tubing hours. Tubing ends on Jan. 19.
Later this month, the hill will host a shovel race on Dec. 27 and a sled box derby on Dec. 28.
Free ice skating at the entertainment district's NHL-sized rink continues until Jan. 5, when hockey tournaments featuring local youth, high school, college and semipro teams begin. Ice skating resumes Jan. 18 until March 1.
The park is located east of the Tri-State Tollway and north of Balmoral Avenue.