Villa Olivia Ski Area

09/21/05

Just west of O'Hare Airport, this is some of the closest downhill skiing to the Chicago area.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Villa Olivia Ski Area earns points for proximity. About a half-hour west of O'Hare Airport, it's one of only two downhill areas that realistically allow Chicagoans to work all day, ski or snowboard at night and still sleep in their own beds. (Four Lakes Ski Area in Lisle is the other.) But let's face it--if you've ever been a half-hour from O'Hare in any direction, you know there isn't much in the way of elevation. Undaunted, the clever marketing department proclaims that Villa Olivia operates on "Chicagoland's highest mountain."

The Slopes
Villa Olivia operates a quad chair (the only such device in the Chicago metro area), which transports skiers to the "summit" of the 180-foot knob. There are also several rope tows. Snowmaking machines usually cover the bare patches, but call ahead for conditions.

Vital Stats
Vertical Drop: 180 feet
Lifts: 6 (1 chair, 5 surface)
Skiable Acres: 40
Beginner Terrain: 40 percent
Intermediate Terrain: 30 percent
Advanced Terrain: 30 percent
Snowboarding: Full facilities