ANDALUSIA, Ill. – Skiers and snowboarders in the Quad Cities area will have one fewer place to hit the slopes this winter. Snowstar Winter Sports Park in Andalusia, Illinois, will not offer skiing or snowboarding during the 2026-27 season, although its popular snow tubing hill is still expected to operate if weather conditions cooperate.
The decision was reported November 10 by WQAD News 8. Snowstar has been a fixture of the Quad Cities winter recreation scene for more than four decades, providing a convenient place for families, beginners and experienced riders to enjoy skiing and snowboarding without making the drive to larger resorts in Wisconsin or farther north.
The small ski area features 15 trails, night skiing, terrain park features and a ski school that has introduced generations of local residents to the sport. With relatively few downhill skiing opportunities in this part of Illinois, Snowstar’s decision leaves a noticeable gap in the region’s winter recreation options.
A Challenging Business in a Difficult Climate
Operating a ski area in western Illinois has never been easy, and Snowstar has dealt with its share of difficult winters. During the 2022-23 season, the mountain recorded just 27 days of skiing and snowboarding, its shortest season on record at the time. Unusually warm temperatures made snowmaking difficult and significantly reduced the number of days the mountain could welcome visitors.
The following winter brought more challenges, with Snowstar ending its 2023-24 season in February amid a stretch of warm weather that affected ski areas across the Midwest. While these earlier seasons illustrate the difficulties facing smaller, lower-elevation ski operations, a specific reason for canceling skiing and snowboarding this winter has not been independently confirmed.
Snowstar has been under the ownership of Doug and Jenny Harper since 2021, when the couple purchased the property with plans to maintain its winter operations while expanding opportunities for year-round recreation. The business has continued to host weddings, private gatherings and other events outside the ski season, offering additional sources of revenue beyond lift tickets and snow tubing.
Snow Tubing Is Still on the Schedule
Although the ski and snowboard trails will remain closed, Snowstar is still planning to operate its six-lane snow tubing hill this winter, weather permitting. The tubing operation uses a conveyor lift to carry guests uphill and has long been a popular option for families looking for an alternative to skiing and snowboarding. For now, there has been no confirmed announcement about whether skiing and snowboarding could return for the 2027-28 season.
After more than 40 years of serving skiers and snowboarders in the Quad Cities area, Snowstar is preparing for a winter without its traditional downhill operations. Visitors may still get a chance to enjoy the tubing hill, but anyone hoping to make turns on skis or a snowboard will need to find another mountain this season.
