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May, 2025

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Best ski/driving distance value resorts around Chicago?

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apexpanda
Posts: 5 - Karma: 13
Hello everyone! What ski places do you recommend that are in driving distance from Chicago?
Moved to this area last year and was a bit disappointed after checking out both Alpine Valley and Cascade - they're both pretty small and with short runs. Are there any others you would recommend?

Not expecting giant mountains, but maybe something like 7 springs in PA or Crystal mountain? Any suggestions are much appreciated!
6 years ago
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5098 - Karma: 18,693
Wyoming isn't toooo far?
6 years ago
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apexpanda
Posts: 5 - Karma: 13
mystery3Wyoming isn't toooo far?

A little bit, was hoping somewhere to go for a day or weekend, Wyoming is 16 hr drive!
6 years ago
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NewWave
Posts: 101 - Karma: 186
Granite Peak is your best option. Like 5 hours away.
6 years ago
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Jezza
Posts: 155 - Karma: 592
Tyrol Basin if you're up for a 2.5+ hour drive. Otherwise Alpine Valley prolly has the best park somewhat nearby
6 years ago
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,207
LAAX
6 years ago
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nmwninjart
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 15,933
I feel sorry for you. I grew up in the chicago area. I wasn't a skier then but Mom would take us to the local sledding hill and let us rip on our sleds.
I'm not recommending it because I've never been there but have you looked at Wilmot mtn? Theres several places in MN/ WI to check out too that are further..6 or 7 hours drive.
6 years ago
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apexpanda
Posts: 5 - Karma: 13
JezzaTyrol Basin if you're up for a 2.5+ hour drive. Otherwise Alpine Valley prolly has the best park somewhat nearby


Thanks for the tip! Looking at the trail map it doesn't seem too big.. how would you compare it to something like cascade or apline valley?
6 years ago
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apexpanda
Posts: 5 - Karma: 13
NewWaveGranite Peak is your best option. Like 5 hours away.

Thank you! This place looks nice!
6 years ago
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apexpanda
Posts: 5 - Karma: 13
nmwninjartI feel sorry for you. I grew up in the chicago area. I wasn't a skier then but Mom would take us to the local sledding hill and let us rip on our sleds.
I'm not recommending it because I've never been there but have you looked at Wilmot mtn? Theres several places in MN/ WI to check out too that are further..6 or 7 hours drive.

Lol thanks, and ye my one friend keeps recommending wilmot for the park, but i just wanna find a place with longer runs!
6 years ago
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apexpanda
Posts: 5 - Karma: 13
Just bumping this to see if anyone has any other recommendations!
5 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
fly to SLC, ski Alta/Snowbird
5 years ago
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wass41
Posts: 65 - Karma: 177
Mt Bohemia is the only mid west mountain that has sparked my attention. Probably still a good 6-7 hours from Chicago. But seems like it’s the snowiest and hardest mountain in the area
5 years ago
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b00mSkis
Posts: 240 - Karma: -816
idk go to montana or something
5 years ago
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oldworld_newlife
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 5,251
Alpine valley is probably your best bet without going too far . Otherwise there's chestnut in Illinois too . Devil's head is a little farther than cascade and is better than cascade in my opinion . You're not gonna find anything really bigger than that without going super far . Alpine and devil's head have great parks .
5 years ago
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Dilldoes
Posts: 761 - Karma: 5,852
Flights out west are so cheap out of Chi. Fly out to Denver and grab the ski train for the weekend. Every time I go through Chicago in the winter there is always some dude on the L with his full kit headed to the airport.
5 years ago
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,126
apexpandaA little bit, was hoping somewhere to go for a day or weekend, Wyoming is 16 hr drive!

as someone who cut his grom teeth at 4 lakes in lisle and the villa olivia with road trips to chedderland when the 18 yo could consume the booze legally
yeah its a long drive but ya aint gotta round trip it
and no you will never be the skier you could be in da hood of da bears and bulls
period
and if you don't do it this season
……..
gittin old sucks
5 years ago
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ChineseRambo
Posts: 3 - Karma: 27
apexpandaJust bumping this to see if anyone has any other recommendations!


Definitely Granite Peak, probably the best option out of the Wisconsin parks I’ve been to this far. Much better terrain (difficulty and variety, with some really nice glades) and the park options are pretty decent. It’s about 4.5hrs from Chicago.

cascade and devils head are also options, cascade is a bit better than devils head and a shorter drive by about an hour. Would def recommend granite over the two but it does come at the cost of longer commute.
5 years ago
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -719
Vail own anything close? Then you can buy an epic in the summer ski for free local and take cheap fly to trips.
5 years ago
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nmwninjart
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 15,933
PeppermillRenoVail own anything close? Then you can buy an epic in the summer ski for free local and take cheap fly to trips.


Wilmot is..and next closest is Afton in MN.
5 years ago
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Dilldoes
Posts: 761 - Karma: 5,852
nmwninjartWilmot is..and next closest is Afton in MN.


Hidden Valley St. Louis.
5 years ago
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Chill1
Posts: 13 - Karma: 63
You might check out Cabrafae Peaks and Crystal Mountain in Michigan. Bittersweet is closer but not as big. Good luck!
5 years ago
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