Is Covid-19 changing your ski trip plans for this season? No worries, here are five resorts within driving distance of Chicago that will scratch your skiing itch. All distances are shown from Millennium Park, Chicago.
closest: Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort, WI
Distance: 67 miles
Drive Time: ~1.5 Hours
Pass: Epic
Vertical: 230′
Night Skiing: Yes
Snow-making: Yes
Insight: Wilmot is small hill, but is perfect for getting a couple of turns in after work, or during the weekend. The resort is relatively close to all residents in the Chicago-land area. Wilmot is owned by Vail Resorts. Bonus if you already purchased an Epic Pass for this season.
Best Time To Go: Week nights
best snow/terrain: Mount Bohemia, MI
Distance: 456 miles
Drive Time: 7.5 Hours
Pass: Not on any major passes. Look out for Bohemia’s $99 season pass sale!
Vertical: 900′
Night Skiing: Sometimes
Snow-making: No
Insight: Mount Bohemia is the gem of the midwest. The drive time from Chicago is well worth it. You’ll experience powder, steep terrain, and glades galore. Boho is perfect for those that are looking for a long weekend trip from Chicago. Check out our review of Boho from last season.
Best Time To Go: February. Mount Bohemia does not make any snow. This can create less-than-ideal conditions in the early and late seasons.
Long Day Trip resort: Granite peak, wi
Distance: 260 miles
Drive Time: 4.25 hours
Pass: Indy
Vertical: 700′
Night Skiing: Yes
Snow-making: Yes. 100% Coverage
Insight: Granite Peak is a perfect day-trip adventure for Chicagoans. The mountain itself is one of the largest in the Midwest, and you’ll find some decently steep terrain. You can find lodging in nearby Wausau if you don’t feel like doing the drive home that day.
Best Time To Go: Weekends (any time of season).
Short day Trip resort: Chestnut mountain resort, IL
Distance: 162 miles
Drive Time: 2.75 hours
Pass: No
Vertical: 475′
Night Skiing: Yes
Snow-making: Yes
Insight: Chestnut is a great place to stretch the legs and get some turns this winter. It’s further than Wilmot, but offers a larger vertical drop. The resort is also known for their terrain parks. Accommodations are available if you want to make a weekend out of it.
Best Time To Go: Weekends.
vacation adventure: Whitecap mountains resort, wi
Distance: 415 miles
Drive Time: 6.5 hours
Pass: No. $65/day
Vertical: 400′
Night Skiing: No
Snow-making: Yes, 70%
Insight: Whitecap Mountains Resort is off the beaten path. It’s a perfect spot for a long-weekend getaway from the crowds of Chicago or The UP’s ski resorts. Whitecap averages 200″ of annual snowfall, so you might even score some powder turns while you’re there. We recommend snagging a classic Wisconsin North-Woods-Style Cabin on Airbnb for your trip.
Best Time To Go: MLK Day Weekend, President’s Day Weekend.
Featured Image: Matador Network