Baby, it’s cold outside. But that’s no reason to hibernate until the spring thaw — shake off the shivers and have some fun with it. Whether you’re catching huge air or just catching your breath on a bunny hill, one of these wintry spots is for you.
Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park
19 N. 475 Rte. 31, Algonquin; 847-836-7243
For hardcore boarders, this is the place to rage. The snowboard-exclusive terrain park draws boarders from throughout the Midwest with its ever-changing layout of half pipes, kickers, table tops and staircases. Don’t miss the United States of America Snowboard Association competitions, continuing through March 8.
Cost: $32-$45
Rental costs: $35-$45 for snowboard packages; $6-$9 for helmets
Snowmaking?: Yes
Get there: I-90 west to the Roselle Road exit. Merge onto North Roselle Road. Turn left onto West Algonquin Road. Turn right on North Main Street (IL Rte. 31). Drive 1.5 miles until you hit the park.
Estimated time from downtown: 60 minutes
Villa Olivia Ski Area
1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett; 630-289-1000
With only 180 feet of vertical, Villa Olivia isn’t exactly Jackson Hole. But the resort’s eight groomed runs and snowboarding park make it prime real estate for beginners. There’s also a snowtubing hill.
Cost: $29-$37
Rental costs: $19-$26 for ski packages; $48.50 for a snowboard package
Snowmaking?: Yes
Get there: I-90 west to the IL-59 exit. Turn left onto IL-59/New Sutton Road. Drive 4.5 miles, then merge onto US-20 East/West Lake Street. Drive 0.2 miles to Villa Olivia.
Estimated time from downtown: 50 minutes
Mt. Hoy, Blackwell
Forest Preserve
Intersection of Butterfield
and Winfield Roads, Warrenville. 630-871-6422
If you’d rather sit on your bum than do any heavy lifting, take a spin on a snowtube. This forest preserve’s 100-foot slope lets you cruise downhill on weekends and holidays, as long as there are three inches of snow on the ground.
Cost: Free
Rental costs: $4 for tube rental (last rental at 3:30 p.m.)
Snowmaking?: No
Get there: I-90/94 east to I-290. Take I-290 west to I-88 West exit at Highland Avenue. Turn right onto Highland Avenue and merge onto Butterfield Road. Drive 8 miles to Blackwell Forest Preserve.
Estimated time from downtown: 40 minutes
Soldier Field
1410 S. Museum Campus Drive
(Museum Campus Drive and 18th Street). 312-742-7529
The Bears may be done roaring for the season, but there’s still plenty of time for you to roar down Soldier Field’s 33-foot-high sledding hill. From sunup to sundown, kids big and small dash down the 220-foot slope.
Cost: Free
Rental costs: None. BYO sled.
Snowmaking?: Yes
Get there: Once downtown, take Columbus Drive to East McFetridge Drive. Turn left. Drive 0.2 miles. Turn right onto South Museum Campus Drive.
Northerly Island Visitor Center
1400 S. Lynn White Drive. 312-742-7529
If you like your outdoor activity a little more leisurely, mosey over to Northerly Island for free snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (9 a.m.-5 p.m., weekends only). The 91-acre peninsula offers stunning city views, bird sightings and easy terrain for trekking. A three-inch snow base is required.
Cost: Free
Rental costs: Free
Get there: Once downtown, take Columbus Drive to East McFetridge Drive. Turn left. Make another left onto East Solidarity Drive. Turn right onto South Lynn White Drive.
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HIT THE SLOPES
Want to get outta Dodge for the weekend? These local ski clubs have your ticket.
>>Chicago Sport and Social Club (312-335-9596; chicago sportandsocial.com) organizes a full-day outing to Devil’s Head Resort in Wisconsin on Feb. 9.
Price range: $105-$125
>>Lakeshore Ski & Sports Club Chicago (773-929-3271; www.lssc.org) offers five full-day and weekend ski outings to Midwest resorts through March.
Price range: $91-$299
>>Gay ski and snowboarding club Ski Budz (skibudz.org)
organizes one weekend trip to a Midwest resort and three getaways to Western resorts through March. Non-gay skiers are welcome.
Price range: $200-$2,000
[ B.G. ]———–
[ Beth Geraci is a Metromix special contributor. ]metromix@tribune.com
