Villa Olivia, Bartlett

If you want to ski near Chicago, look no further than Villa Olivia, located about an hour outside of the city in Bartlett. This compact resort offers seven runs, including a black diamond slope for advanced skiers. Book a private or group lesson to brush up on your skills, or sign the kids up for Snow Kids, a three-session program to learn how to be safe and have fun on the slopes. Have someone in your group who’s looking for something lower key? Villa Olivia also has a snow tubing run—but don’t forget to make a reservation; tickets go fast!

Chestnut Mountain Resort, Galena

Just three hours west of Chicago in Galena you’ll find some of the finest skiing the state has to offer. Winter sports enthusiasts of all skill levels enjoy Chestnut Mountain Resort, which features 19 different runs that range from the gentle bunny hill to daredevil black diamonds. Snowboarders can catch air on The Farside, the largest terrain park in the Midwest, with more than 25 different rails and features for doing jumps, flips and more. If you stay at the lodge, you’ll not only have incredible views but access to the indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool, so you can warm up after a long day on the slopes.

Snowstar, Andalusia

Located in Andalusia, Illinois, near the Quad Cities, Snowstar is an adventure park geared toward family fun. A 790-foot summit, 15 trails for a variety of abilities and on-site lessons make Snowstar a great place to learn to ski. At the terrain park, snowboarders will find more than 40 different features to explore, like ride-on boxes, corrugated tubes and even 40-foot jumps for those up to the challenge. Worked up an appetite? Stop by the Snack Shack for a hot chocolate, or grab a pizza, burger or even a deep-fried Oreo at The Lodge. Adults can warm up by the hearth at the Fireside Lounge, where you can sip on a beer or cocktail and snack on the signature fried pickles.