Snow used to be so much fun when you were a kid. Now, it can feel as if winter is out to get you–like that time the snowplow buried your car, or when you slipped and fell on your ass in front of that crowd of onlookers. We’ve got a way to make amends: Regress to your childhood for some winter fun at these sledding, skiing and skating spots. Afterward, warm up nearby with a decidedly adult drink.
A skate in the park
Do: The ice rink at Millennium Park is our prime pick for city skating. Skates rent for $7, and even though you may have to elbow your way past bumbling tourists, the scenery is far more pleasing than the chaos of Navy Pier. 55 N. Michigan Ave. 312-742-5222.
Drink: Steps from the rink’s edge is the Park Grill, where bartenders appropriately serve six different winter warmers ($7 each). Our fave? The PG Hot Buttered Rum, made with Bacardi Select Dark Rum and a blend of seven spices. 11 N. Michigan Ave. 312-521-7275.
Stadium-style sledding
Do: For guaranteed icy conditions, head to the 33-foot high sledding hill southeast of Soldier Field, where the Chicago Park District furnishes faux snow if the real stuff doesn’t stick. 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive. 312-742-7529.
Drink: If a few trips down the 220-foot slope leave you feeling a bit unsteady, head to the nautical-themed Weather Mark Tavern to get your bearings. There, you can belly up to the bar for a mug of hot apple cider with Citadel apple vodka ($7). 1503 S. Michigan Ave. 312-588-0230.
Tee time
Do: Usually a popular tee-off spot for golfers, Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton opens its picturesque course to cross-country skiers for the winter. Rent boots, skis and poles ($10) and set off on 4.5 miles of groomed trails. 26W151 Butterfield Rd. 630-653-5800.
Drink: For a super-convenient warmup, head to the fireplace-filled Arrowhead American Grill & Bar, located on the premises. Cozy up by the hearth and sip one of six warm cocktails, such as the Raspberry Truffle: coffee with Stoli Razberi and Kahlua ($5).
Cross-country camp
Do: For cross-country action a bit closer to the city, try Camp Sagawau in Lemont. The trails stretch for 5 miles, and serious skiers have the option to glide beyond Camp Sagawau’s borders into the Palos Heights Forest Preserve, with 45 miles of trails. Ski and pole rental costs $12 (be prepared to leave an Illinois driver’s license or a $100 deposit as collateral), and the rolling terrain works for both beginner and expert skiers. 12545 W. 111th St. 630-257-2045.
Drink: From Camp Sagawau, it’s a five-minute drive to Hackney’s, a restaurant in Palos Park with stone walls, wood ceiling beams and a cozy ski-lodge vibe. Warm up with a Peppermint Patty: hot chocolate spiked with peppermint schnapps ($5.95). 9600 W. 123rd St. 708-448-8300.
North-side slide
Do: If you’re ready to sled and skate, head to Warren Park. You can rent skates ($4) for a spin on the outdoor ice rink ($4-$5), or try your sledding skills on the free BYOS (bring your own sled) hill. But forget about resurrecting that hilarious pile-up technique from your childhood sledding days: a two-person-per-sled rule is enforced. 6601 N. Western Ave. 773-761-8663.
Drink: Afterward, head north to Candlelite, where the friendly bartenders will help you defrost with a classic Irish Coffee–that’d be java sweetened with Baileys and crowned with whipped cream ($4.50). 7452 N. Western Ave. 773-465-0087.
All the rage
Do: If you’re all about snowboarding and ready to plunk down some cash, pile in the car and head out to Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park in Algonquin, about an hour’s drive from the city. This is the place to try your tricks–the terrain changes constantly to keep boarders from getting, well, bored. ($32-$45 plus board, boot and helmet rental). 1482 Main St. 847-836-7243.
Drink: On the way out of town, stop by Blue Moon Espresso in downtown Algonquin for a white-chocolate mocha with a ginger spice shot ($2.35-$4.50). There’s no hard stuff here, but perhaps that’s for the best–you’ve got a long drive home. 2761 W. Algonquin Rd. 847-458-7247.
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Lisa Arnett is a metromix special contributor
metromix@tribune.com
