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Hit the Slopes
Monday Dec 11, 2006.
By Robert Duffer
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 photo: courtesy of Devil's Head Ignore size for a moment; the following resorts offer beginners an ideal place to learn, amenities for families to share in winter fun, challenging terrain parks, luxury lodges and a place to experience the rush of speed, the grace of turns and the burn of a run, no matter how short. Wilmot Mountain If you were lucky enough to have a ski club in school, you've been to Wilmot. Located one hour north of Chicago, this nub is a local favorite. Icy conditions tend to be a norm locally, so Wilmot's convenience often trumps its conditions. Still, pleasant-sounding runs like as Fanny Hill and Bunny Heaven make it a great place to learn. Qualified instructors offer hour-long lessons, both group and private, every day. The Winter Wonderland gives children ages 4-9 a safe haven to learn, ski and play. You'll find more than a bunny hill, however. With a modest 230-foot vertical drop, eight chairlifts service 16 runs. Wilmot hosts several NASTAR race series that appeal to more practiced enthusiasts.
Drive it: one hour northwest of Chicago Devil's Head Resort Consistently ranked in Ski Magazine's Top Ten Midwestern Resorts, Devil's Head Lodge sprawls at the bottom of its 28 runs. A great stop for couples, the lodge has it all: indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, several restaurants and bars, and countless recreational activities. With one run measuring 1.5 miles—one of the longest in the Midwest—the slopes are well-maintained, frequently groomed and just steps from your room. The runs, like the lodge, are a microcosm of the Rocky Mountain experience. There are two narrow, glade-like runs, several diamonds that can get bumpy, and even one double diamond. Two terrain parks, a relatively big half-pipe and plenty of trees entice snowboarders. Five additional lifts and runs are under development.
Drive it: 2.5 hours from Chicago, right off 90/94 north of Madison Cascade Mountain Cascade is a personal favorite, a day trip that lets you get your ski legs back via its 34 runs. The north-facing resort doesn't get as mushy as nearby mountains, and its northwest side is nearly covered in black diamond runs. Five lifts serve the main hill, at the base of which lies an easily accessible lodge, ticket area and parking lot. Located in the same area as Devil's Head, Cascade is a hassle-free resort catering to every family member, especially since children under 12 ski free. An 800-foot long snow tubing area complements an extensive beginner area that is well-serviced by lifts. Lodging is not available, though several hotels and resorts are located one exit down 90/94. Developments are underway to expand the northwestern side.
Drive it: 2.5 hours from Chicago, off of 90/94 Chestnut Mountain Outside of Galena and looking over the Mississippi River, Chestnut Mountain descends 475 feet amidst some of the river's most stunning scenery. The base of the mountain is on a bluff, so your last run of the day will be on a chairlift taking you back up to the Lodge (a Midwestern set-up that's common in the UP). The proximity to the river gives Chestnut's 19 runs plenty of snow, supplemented by the "largest snow-making system in the Midwest." The seven-acre terrain park is the largest of its kind in the Midwest, with two half-pipes, its own chairlift, and a vast series of table tops and rail slides. Skiers dominate the majority of the other runs, which are wide open descents that have made it the #2 rated Midwestern ski resort by Ski Magazine.
Drive it: 3 hours west of Chicago Crystal Mountain Lake-effect is a good thing at Crystal Mountain, giving its 45 runs an annual snowfall of more than 120 inches. A full-service resort with two golf courses, pools, banquet facilities, several bars and restaurants, the lodge is consistently ranked #1 in SKI magazine. Two back areas peel off of the main face, each one serviced by its own lift, which is the only way out. Gladed runs go along the top cornice, as well as sweeping along the outer boundaries of the big resort. There are double the number of slopes than hills nearer to Chicago and there is always snow, making Crystal the perfect winter weekend getaway.
Drive it: 4.5 hours from Chicago
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