Listed below is Illinois' most comprehensive ski resort guide with 6 ski resorts. The highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound 1,235 ft, The lowest point is the Mississippi River at 279 ft. Most of Illinois has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters.
Chestnut Mountain Resort is located near the historic town of Galena, high above the Mississippi River. With 17 trails from beginner to expert up to 3,500 feet and a 475 foot vertical descent, in addition to 2 quad, 3 triple, and 5 surface lifts, Chestnut offers some of the most exciting and state of the art skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer in the Midwest.
A full-service resort, Chestnut is the perfect destination for groups, family vacations and for romantic getaways. With 120 rooms, an indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi, 2 dining rooms, lounge and its proximity to all that Galena has to offer, Chestnut Mountain Resort provides one of the most value-packed experiences available to today's short-distance traveler.
Raging Buffalo bills itself as the world's first snowboard park. This is a snowboard-only area, if that's not for you; the views over the Fox River are worth the trip.
Snowstar ski area opened in December 1981. Snowstar has trails for all ski ability levels. At Snowstar, every day is full of surprises. That's because Illinois' friendliest resort means great skiing, riding, or tubing the entire season. You always know there'll be a good time and smiling faces waiting for you at Snowstar.
After plenty of fun and excitement, cruise on over to the Lounge and snuggle up next to our fireplaces. Here you can meet up with friends, share your snowy adventures, and warm up with delicious food and your choice of refreshing beverages.
Named after the original owner's daughter, the Villa Olivia estate was built in the early 1900's in the town of Bartlett. Among the luxuries of the estate, there was a golf course that now serves as the cornerstone of the Villa Olivia Country Club, purchased in 1966 by the Corrado Family. The clubhouse has been host to countless weddings and banquets and currently serves both the Elgin and Bartlett Rotary Club luncheons on a weekly basis. The clubhouse has two full banquet rooms and can accommodate up to 850 guests. It is booked on a year round basis and is one of the finer facilities in the northwest suburban area.
The golf course is just the beginning of what is offered at Villa Olivia. In 1968, the Corrado's realized the underutilized potential of their property during the winter months. As a result, a ski facility was opened with enhancements finished in 1975. The ski operation currently offers 12 lighted downhill runs serviced by one four-person chair lift and six tow rope lifts. The ski facility is the most professionally run in the immediate Chicagoland area and currently hosts the Chicago Tribune Ski School aimed at beginners and intermediate skiers. It is the ideal facility for the novice skier just getting his/her first taste of the sport or the advanced skier perfecting his/her ability. The facility has complete ski snowmaking machines, snow-grooming vehicles cross country trails, ski equipment rentals, and clubhouse facility to service that most important time when the skiers are not perfecting their craft.
