MAIN Sports Ski Resorts Illinois Ski & Snowboard Resorts

Most Americans wouldn't think of the Windy City as a ski town, but Chicagoans are lucky to have two ski areas that are only an hour's drive away!

In fact, it only takes 40 minutes to reach Four Lakes Village in Lisle, (convenient to I-88 or I-355), which offers 4 ski trails served by 4 lifts and provides a great day out or cheap weekend getaway for ski or snowboard enthusiasts and their families. For newbies, beginner and semiprivate lessons are always available during the season, which usually lasts in Illinois from late November to early Spring.

Only 50 minutes from Illinois' biggest metro area also lies the much larger Villa Olivia Ski Area, with 12 trails and 7 lifts offering outdoor winter fun and lessons in skiing and snowboarding, along with a snowtubing area for the young and young at heart.

To get to the state's premiere skiing area at Chestnut Mountain Resort, however, will take a little time -- but worth the trip -- a three-hour drive from Chicago offering nineteen trails and a snowboarding terrain park on 220 rolling acres of white powder. Rooms and accommodations within the resort are considered first-rate, along with fine dining in two onsite restaurants or head off to nearby Galena for hopping nightlife and after hours winter fun.

Meanwhile, snowboarders have lots to love about Illinois at Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park, located between Algonquin and Carpentersville, and boasting the world's first terrain park exclusively devoted to snowboarding with two rope tows, half pipes, kickers and table top runs.

also see -> Ski resorts in Wisconsin

More about Illinois skiing and snowboarding around the Web:

Illinois Ski & Snow Report - The latest reports on new snow and current base depth, including related photos of major ski areas with visitor reviews.

Ski Resorts Illinois - Check out this directory of resorts statewide with info on lifts and trails, rental equipment, ticket deals, maps, and contact details.