Nothing promotes health and wellness quite like ripping a run down a steep ski hill on a sunny wintery day. Here’s a quick rundown of ski, snowboard and tubing options as close as the Illinois/Wisconsin stateline and as exciting as a weekend getaway to Galena, Michigan or “Up North.”
1. Mountain Top at Grand Geneva
Offering 21 runs, a six-acre terrain park, plus trails and experiences for all skill levels, Grand Geneva is nearby snow sport destination (with spa and indoor waterpark, too). Season passes and lift tickets available for purchase on their website. (GrandGeneva.com; Lake Geneva, IL.)
2. Chestnut Mountain Resort
Illinois’ biggest ski getaway, Chestnut Mountain Resort, caters to snow sports enthusiasts with 19 ski slopes, a terrain park, and lots of lessons. There are three restaurants, a gift shop, and lodging overlooking the Mississippi River. (ChestnutMTN.com; Galena, IL.)
3. Wilmot Mountain Ski & Tube
Wilmot Mountain is Lake County’s ski resort. (A love of snow sports knows no boundaries; Wilmot straddles the Illinois/Wisconsin border.) Wilmot’s welcoming atmosphere has created memories for countless guests spanning more than 80 years. (WilmotMountain.com; Wilmot, WI.)
4. Boyne Mountain Resort
For more than 65 years, Boyne Mountain Resort has offered snow sports galore from 60 trails of downhill to 35 kilometers of cross country, plus snowshoe trails, horse-drawn sleighs, tubing, ice skating, fat tire snow biking and lodging. (BoyneMountain.com; Boyne Falls, MI.)
5. Granite Peak
Home to Wisconsin's only 6-pack high speed chairlift and two additional high-speed quads, Granite Peak touts that visitors spend less time in lines or on lifts and more time ripping down the slopes. Plus, the city of Wausau fully embraces winter. (SkiGranitePeak.com; Wausau, WI.)
6. Alpine Valley
This is the place for families, with a beginner area that’s been expanded to triple its previous size to welcome all ages and stages of newcomers. Never-ever skiers learn basic skills of balance, turning and stopping in a dedicated ski school learning area. (AlpineValleyResort.com; Elk Horn, WI.)
