When the temperatures dip below freezing and you’re looking for one of the best winter activities, why not try skiing or snowboarding? With a dozen destinations within a few hours of Chicago, you can hit the slopes and make core memories with your little ones. Most locations offer lessons for kids (and adults!).
We included features and pricing for each skiing option so you can narrow down your choices and more easily plan a family trip.
Please call or check the website before planning your trip to make sure your destination is open. Pricing may not have been updated for the 2023-24 season.
Skiing and Snowboarding in Illinois
Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports
5750 Lakeside Drive
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 964-2550
This great place for beginners offers private and group lessons. It features seven tow ropes, a rental shop, free parking, and a lodge with a restaurant/bar.
Semi-private lessons are $35, group private lessons are $40, and private lessons are $60. Group discounts are also available.
Villa Olivia
1401 W Lake Street
Bartlett, IL 60103
(630) 289-1000
Snow Phone: (630) 540-4199
Weeknight ski and snowboard specials, family fun nights, and season passes are available. Group and private lessons are also offered. The hill features seven runs, a chair lift, six rope tows, a tubing hill, and a ski cafe.
Group lessons are available and range from $24-30 per hour.
Chestnut Mountain Resort
8700 W Chestnut Mountain Road
Galena, IL 61036
(800) 397-1320
Chestnut Mountain features 19 trails for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. The resort also features a terrain park for snowboarders with over 25 rails, a 20,000 square-foot ski center, and a bar/restaurant.
A lift ticket for ages 7 and up is $50 from Monday-Thursday (non-holidays) and $80 on weekends and holidays. Equipment rental is an additional $50; helmet rentals are $10. Children 6 and under receive a free lift ticket. Powder Pups lessons are $160; geared towards ages 4-10 years old.
Michigan Skiing and Snowboarding
Swiss Valley
13421 Mann Street
Jones, MI 49061
(269) 244-5635
Snow Phone: (269) 244-8016
About a two hour car ride from Chicago, Swiss Valley features 12 runs with lights for night skiing, 7 chair lifts, 4 rope tows, a terrain park, ski/board shop, and a chalet/lodge.
Lift tickets are less expensive during the week and for partial days. Group lessons are $35/person; private lessons are $70/person.
Timber Ridge
07500 23 1/2 Street
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 694-9449
Roughly a 2.5-hour drive from Chicago, Timber Ridge features beginner to expert runs, two terrain parks, and a tubing hill for ages 5+.
Private lessons are $75/hour; group lessons are $40.
Boyne Mountain Resort
1 Boyne Mountain Road
Boyne Falls, MI 49713
(855) 688-7024
Boyne has everything from beginner to expert runs on its 65 trails that span 415 skiable acres.
Ski school for kids 3-12 starts at $99 for two hours.
The Highlands
600 Highlands Drive
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
(888) 436-2296
Skiers will find The Highlands in Harbor Springs, MI has over 435 skiable acres. The Highlands is also home to multiple restaurants and lounges, snowshoeing, horseback riding, ziplining, cross country skiing and sno-going. Resort guests can also enjoy year-round swimming and bonfires with s’mores.
Group lessons start at $120 for an hour and are available for ages 3+. You can purchase a Lake eFlex Pass for access to both Boyne Mountain and The Highlands.
Wisconsin Skiing and Snowboarding
Wilmot Mountain
11931 Fox River Road
Wilmot, WI 53192
(262) 862-2301
About an hour north of Chicago, Wilmot Mountain features 25 runs, 10 chair lifts, and 3 terrain parks. It caters to skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. Wilmot features private and group lessons, nearby lodging, a kids ski and snowboard school (for kids as young as 3), and a tubing hill that features 22 tubing lanes and two conveyor lifts.
Private lessons are available for ages 3+ and start at $220.
The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva
7036 Grand Geneva Way
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 245-7516
This resort has 20 runs, a 6-acre terrain park, three chair lifts, two carpet lifts, and a lodge. The Mountain Top also offers ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Lift tickets are available for a lower fee Monday through Thursday and for partial days. 90-minute beginner ski and snowboard lessons are available for $55 per person.
Alpine Valley
W2501 County Road
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 642-7374
Alpine Valley features 20 runs, 3 terrain parks, 3 high-speed quad chair lifts, 4 triple chair lifts, 2 rope tows, and 5 magic carpets… which translates to getting up the hill just as fast as you can get down! It caters to skiers of all ability levels with expanded ultimate beginners and intermediate areas.
Lift ticket pricing varies by time of day; a full day weekend rate is $92.
- Children 5 and under receive a half-price ticket. (children must be present at the time of purchase)
- Senior 65 & over rate: $5.00 discount on one full-price ticket with ID
- Military Rate: $5.00 discount on one full-price ticket with a current military ID
Two-hour kids lessons for ages 5+ are $100.
Cascade Mountain
W10441 Cascade Mountain Road
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-5588
Cascade Mountain features 48 trails with wide appeal to snowboarders because of its multiple terrain parks; there is also a tubing hill. There are plenty of nearby lodging options available with its proximity to the Wisconsin Dells. Lift tickets can be purchased for all day or night only.
Private/semi-private lessons are available for a flat rate of $120-140 for up to 5 people (ages 4 and up); the Cascade Kids program (ages 5-12) is $120 for two hours. Note: They only accept card & digital forms of payment such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, & Cascade e-gift cards. There are Cash-2-Card self-service kiosks available.
Devil’s Head
S6330 Bluff Road
Merrimac, WI 53561
(608) 493-2204
Located three hours from Chicago, Devil’s Head features 30 runs, seven lifts, lodging, dining, and a ski school/lessons. Devil’s Head Resort is home to a game room and indoor pool, and are welcome to cross country ski.
Pricing on weekdays is less expensive than the weekend pricing. There are also discounts for evening tickets and multi-day passes. Group lessons for ages 6+ are $50.
Granite Peak
227200 Snowbird Avenue
Wausau, WI 54401
(715) 845-2846
Located about 4 hours from Chicago, Granite Peak features 68 trails, four progressive terrain parks, four mogul runs, and seven lifts. There are frequent events, family festivals, and live music there.
Two-hour lessons start at $99 for kids 3+. They offer discounts for lift tickets on off-peak days, evenings, and multi-day passes.
If you hit the slopes, tag us on Instagram (@kidlist) so we can see your family adventures! Keep following Kidlist all winter long for more outdoor fun to see you through the chilly months.
