Heavy Snow This Winter? -Go Skiing in Illinois!

Almost every weather superstition is pointing to a wet and snowy winter season. Wooly worms, animal behavior (and presence), morning fog, spider webs, sun halos…pretty much everything is screaming “GRAB A SHOVEL!” if you’re listening.

So, when the snow piles up know that there are outdoor activities beyond snow removal in Illinois. You can schedule a ski trip in state. Yes, if you live below the snow line (a term I learned from my in-laws) that stretches east to west across the state lining up with Springfield, you’ll have to travel north.

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Understandably you may think skiing is something to be done in Colorado, Utah or in the New England area. Sure you can ski there, but you don’t have to travel that far and if you are a beginner these resorts closer to home are wonderful places to get comfortable getting your skis under you…(!!!)

In the northwestern most point in Illinois sits Galena with Chestnut Mountain Resort. High above the Mississippi sits the resort that you can stay at or book a hotel in Galena and visit to snowboard and ski.

Then there is Snowstar in Andalusia just off the Mississippi and a few miles west of Rock Island. Stay at one of the nearby hotels and drive just ten minutes to ski, snowboard and snow-tube down with a lodge setting and food options.

Before you tackle the K2 get comfortable with a tow rope, making a pie slice out of your skis, then advance to the ski lift. In Illinois.

There are also options to ski Illinois in the Chicagoland area at Villa Olivia in Bartlett, and Four Lakes in Lisle.