Chicago is one of the biggest cities in the United States and has an awful lot of activities to offer both residents and visitors. The Windy City is well-known for its distinctive cuisine, thriving nightlife scene, beautiful architecture, and more, but like many major cities, there are some activities it simply can’t offer. Skiing is a perfect example.
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Fortunately, many great ski resorts can be found just short drives away from Chicago, offering a wealth of wonderful winter activities when skiing season gets started. These resorts are all located within drives of three hours or less from Chicago’s city limits, offering dozens of ski runs, thousands of acres of skiable land, multiple terrain parks, and more. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top skiing spots near Chicago.
Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort - 11931 Fox River Rd, Wilmot, WI 53192, Phone: 262-862-2301
Located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, Wilmot Mountain is a popular ski spot with Chicago residents, being conveniently situated just an hour and a half outside of the city. This particular resort has a lot of history behind it, being opened up way back in 1938, and has undergone major renovations in recent years after being purchased by Vail Resorts in 2016.
Wilmot Mountain has a vertical drop of around 200 feet and features 23 runs spread out across 120 acres of skiable land. It's a small ski area, but it has a lot to offer, with two large terrain parks and a full ski and snowboard school with hundreds of trained instructors. Plenty of alpine race clubs meet and compete at Wilmot Mountain too, and the recent renovations had given new life to this location, with additional high-speed ski lifts and a welcoming Base Lodge with various services and amenities.
Alpine Valley Resort - W2501 Co Rd D, Elkhorn, WI 53121, Phone: 262-642-7374
Alpine Valley Resort is found in the town of Lafayette in Walworth County, Wisconsin. It's about a two-hour drive outside of Chicago, but is more than worth the journey, with 20 different ski runs of different difficulty levels to enjoy. Alpine Valley Resort features a vertical drop of 220 feet and 90 acres of skiable land. 12 different ski lifts can be found on this site, including five magic carpets, so it's very easy to get around and you never have to wait too long to hit the slopes.
The longest run at Alpine Valley measures up at 3,000 feet and is a great challenge for advanced skiers, but beginners will find a lot to love here as well, including the adult and kids' ski school. Other on-site amenities include full accommodation, bistro dining, and a heated indoor swimming pool.
The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva - 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262 249-4726) Situated among the luxury and elegance of the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, The Mountain Top is another popular skiing spot for Chicago residents and tourists. It's one of the top skiing destinations in all of Wisconsin, with 20 ski runs and a large terrain park for skiers of all ages and abilities to test out their skills. Fully fitted out with snowmaking equipment, The Mountain Top is situated just a 90-minute drive away from Chicago and is regarded as a very family-friendly destination.
Three chair lifts and two magic carpets are in operation at The Mountain Top, with sledding, snowboarding, and ice skating also enjoyed at this location. As one might expect, the amenities of the Grand Geneva Resort are second to none, with various lodges, accommodation, and eateries dotted around to provide all you need throughout your stay.
Devil’s Head Resort - S6330 Bluff Rd, Merrimac, WI 53561, Phone: 608-493-2251
A warm welcome awaits all visitors at Devil's Head Resort, an all-year round golf and ski location situated about three hours away from downtown Chicago. The surrounding scenery at Devil's Head has helped to make this location very popular over the years, with breathtaking views in all directions. Admission and equipment rentals are very affordable at Devil's Head, and there are plenty of on-site amenities to make your stay as fun as possible.
30 different ski runs can be found at Devil's Head Resort, with 30% beginner courses, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced, so there's a nice mixture of difficulties to suit all visitors. A certified ski school is also situated on site, along with nine separate ski lifts. If you're looking for a good quality skiing spot in Wisconsin, Devil's Head is a must-visit location.
