Four Lakes Snowsports offers skiing and snowboarding near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Four Lakes Snowsports

Ski and Snowboard Near Chicago: Illinois

1. Four Lakes Snowsports

Families can enjoy five different ski or snowboard trails with seven tow ropes (no chairs) at this West Suburban winter sports complex that’s been around since 1960. The Alley Terrain Park challenges more advanced skiers and snowboarders, and lessons are available for beginners on the bunny hill.

For little ones looking to learn to ski, lessons are available 7 days a week. Kids must be 6 and up to take a lesson, and must be able to ride the tow rope on their own. Snowboard lessons are available for ages 8 and up.

2. Villa Olivia

Downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing are all available for some serious winter family fun, and all just a short drive from the city. Villa Olivia makes its own snow and has seven ski runs, a chair lift, six tow ropes, and even a tubing hill. This season, Villa Olivia will be open until March 7. Check the website for which ski runs are open each day based on snow conditions.

Ski lessons are available for kids as young as 4 (and snowboarding lessons for kids ages 8 and up) through the Snow Kids program, a class that meets 3 times for 1 ½ hours each day and includes equipment rental and a slope ticket. Individual private and semi-private lessons are offered as well. Sunday Family Fun night packages are available for the whole family.

 
Chestnut Mountain offers winter sports a few hours from Chicago. Photo courtesy of Chestnut Mountain Resort

3. Chestnut Mountain

With beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes and a terrain park, this western Illinois ski resort overlooking the Mississippi River has a variety of options for families. Packages enable families to ski just once, stay at the resort for a ski weekend, or run the slopes all winter. Lessons are available for all levels,starting with kids ages 4-6. Bigger kids can take the $10 beginner group lessons, and snowboard lessons are also available.

Chestnut Mountain is open year round, and in non-snowy months offers biking, hiking, Mississippi cruises, an Alpine slide, zipline, and more.

RELATED: Best Ice Skating Spots in Chicago

Ski and Snowboard Near Chicago: Wisconsin

4. Wilmot Mountain

Halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, this mountain offers 25 ski trails, 7 lifts and 2 surface conveyors for families to explore. It’s a great place for beginners to learn how to ski or snowboard, and lessons are available for kids as young as 3. Group lessons are available for kids 3 and up, and kids over age 6 can take private lessons. and everyone can participate in a family private lesson. If not everyone loves to ski, or you visit for multiple days, there’s also a snow tubing area with 22 lanes and two surface conveyors.

5. Alpine Valley

Just north of the Illinois-Wisconsin border, this ski and snowboarding resort has one of the largest beginner areas in the Midwest, so for newbies and rusty parents, this is a perfect choice. The two bunny hills are magic carpet tows—little ones don’t even have to figure out a rope tow. They also have some of the best snow making equipment in the area, so trails opened early in the season. Ski and snowboard lessons for ages 5 and up are available at very reasonable rates, and families can choose private, semi-private, or group lessons. There are even adaptive ski lessons for those with different needs. Alpine Valley is celebrating its 60th season with special events like Royal Princess Breakfast Day and National Hot Cocoa Day.

A terrain park and mountain biking paths give families a reason to come back when the snow melts.

 
Stay at the Grand Geneva Resort for a ski weekend near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Grand Geneva Resort

7. The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa

Looking for all the winter sports in one easy spot? Stay and play (and play and play) at the Grand Geneva Resort with downhill or cross country skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, sledding, and ice skating. Packages are available through the resort to include several activities at one price. The 20 runs are designed for a range of ages and abilities, and snow making equipment all combine to make this a good starting place, no matter the forecast or ski prowess of everyone in the family.

The new Burton Riglet Park was built with young children in mind and is perfect for a first time experience. Snow Cub lessons are offered for kids 3-6 years old, and kids ages 7 and up can take ski or snowboarding lessons. Private lessons are also available.

 
Sunburst offers snowboarding, tubing, and skiing near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Sunburst, Facebook

8. Sunburst Winter Sports Park 

Ski, snowboard, and even learn how to ski moguls at this winter sports haven with 11 runs (including 2 terrain parks) in southeast Wisconsin. Kids ages 3-5 can join the Snowman Adventure Club, which is a ski lesson in a separate area. Kids 5 and up can take private lessons, or ages 6 and up can take group lessons in either skiing or snowboarding. You can even sign up for a family lesson. Check out the slope conditions before you go with a live stream from several of Sunburst's hills. 

Side perk: with more than 45 tubing chutes, Sunburst Winter Sports Park claims to be the largest tubing park in the world.

Bundle up and stay warm to enjoy winter sports! Photo by Ally Noel

Ski and Snowboard Near Chicago: Michigan

9. Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboard Area

This Southwest Michigan ski resort boasts four tow ropes and three ski lifts, as well as the ability to make snow. Valley Kids is Swiss Valley’s award winning learn to ski and snowboard program. Kids ages 4 and up can learn to ski and kids ages 8 and up can learn to snowboard. Night skiing and a terrain park with a beginners area for skiers and snowboarders are also available. With a great beginners area, a Black Diamond Hill for the experts, and loads of special promotions, Swiss Valley has enough options to keep the whole family happy. 

 
Snowboarding at Timber Ridge, photo courtesy of Timber Ridge Ski Area

10. Timber Ridge Ski Area

This family-friendly Southwest Michigan ski slope, terrain park, and snow tubing area has something for outdoor winter sports enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels. Most ski lifts are less than 60 seconds long, giving kids more time to spend on the slopes. Two bunny hills makes this mountain a good one for beginners

Lessons for kids ages 5 and up are available, and instructors here strongly recommend you arrive early to purchase Saturday lessons as they will begin promptly at 5 p.m.

 
Photo courtesy of Bittersweet Ski and Snowboard Resort

11. Bittersweet Ski and Snowboard Resort

Featuring 20 different runs and a terrain park with 17 features, this ski and snowboard resort will keep families moving all day. Well maintained equipment, trails, and a speed lift helps keep everything running smoothly. Ski and snowboard lessons are available daily for all different abilities, and lesson reservations are recommended 48 hours in advance. Ski lessons are available for ages 3 and up. Kids 7 and up can take snowboard lessons.