Where to Play Winter Sports in the Chicago Area

eATLAS’ Chicago Downtown Sports Adventure takes you to nine locations in the Loop and River North where you can learn more about Chicago’s storied history in all four major sports.

By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago)

The ice skating rinks in Millennium and Maggie Daley Parks—the latter of which is a skating ribbon—have high-profile, downtown locations, but there are city-owned facilities to be found throughout the city. Outdoor rinks are located in Warren Park (West Ridge), McKinley Park, Wentworth Park (Garfield Ridge), Mt. Greenwood Park, and the Midway Plaisance. All are free for those who bring their own skates (rentals available for $7), with sessions blocked off for senior skating, lessons, and hockey.

Ice skating can be done year-round at a pair of indoor rinks. In Irving Park, the McFetridge Sports Center has an NHL-size ice and a half-sheet for classes, figure and synchronized skating, hockey, and open skating. When not in use as the practice facility for the Chicago Blackhawks, Fifth Third Arena on the Near West Side is open for public use, with two NHL-size rinks, pro shop, food-and-beverage options, and skate-sharpening. But unlike the outdoor facilities, there are fees for ice time. 

The prairies of the Midwest means that there are only a few downhill skiing and snowboarding options within a 90-minute drive of Chicago. In Lisle, Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports is small, with seven runs and a vertical drop of 100 ft. Similarly, Bartlett’s Villa Olivia features seven trails, but it’s a little bigger, reaching a drop of 180 ft. at its highest. Villa Olivia also has a snowtubing park. 

A more traditional ski resort experience can be had in Wisconsin at the 960-foot Wilmot Mountain, just north of the Illinois border. At “The Matterhorn of the Midwest,” you’ll find 25 trails for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers; 10 lifts; retail shop featuring gear and apparel; equipment repair; and four places to enjoy food and drinks. 

For youngsters who to learn how to ski or snowboard in a safe environment, head to Shredder in Old Irving Park. The indoor facility gives lessons and summer camps that teach basics, build coordination and confidence, and get exercise for children up to 10 years old. 

In addition to beginner classes, Schaumburg’s Snowlike Studio has programs for adults and advanced skiers, with a realistic simulator that allow you to try your hand at downhill, slalom, and giant slalom courses. 

But the region’s flat terrain lends itself nicely to cross-country skiing when there’s 4 in. or more of snow on the ground. The Forest Preserves of Cook County have more than 350 miles of trails, but only the Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont has groomed routes, with five loops that total 2. 5 miles, plus lessons and ski rentals. Wheaton’s Arrowhead Golf Club has groomed trails built into the course and, on the North Shore, there are three miles of ungroomed trails at the Heller Nature Center in Highland Park. All are open to the public.

Another 2.6 miles of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing can be found in Lisle at Morton Arboretum. Skis and snowshoes are available for rental, with a $2 discount for Arboretum members. 

Over the last 20 years, curling has grown in popularity in the United States, and there are several places in Chicago where you can throw stones and have drinks with friends. On the rooftop of the Gwen Hotel on the Magnificent Mile, their Winter Curl & Chill ($25/person) has a sheet near a firepit table that can be rented out for one-hour sessions, with a menu of small bites and wintry drinks. At Navy Pier, Harry Caray’s Tavern has a curling rink made of synthetic ice inside a heated igloo available for 90 minutes ($100 per groups up to 8 people).

In the Winter, the beer garden at West Loop’s Kaiser Tiger is transformed into a curling rink, with two lanes ($80 for 40 minutes, up to four people) for rental. For newcomers to the game, a curling master is on-site to teach the rules and techniques for proper throwing. The Wicker Park and Lincolnwood locations of Fatpour have small sheets ($20 for one hour, with the money going towards your tab). Fatpour has an optional rule that require you to have a drink in hand while throwing the stone, and, if a team scores more than one point in an end, the other team has to take a drink. 

However, none of these rinks are of regulation length or even allow sweeping the ice. For those, consider joining either the Chicago Curling Club (Northbrook) or Windy City Curling Club (Villa Park). 

Of all these winter sports, the author has only ever done one of them once. It was a ski trip in 10^th grade, where he never wanted to advance beyond the bunny hill. But he genuinely loves curling.