Posted on October 23, 2023
Love to play in the snow? Take a look at our 2023-2024 top picks for in our Midwest Winter playground.
The warm lights of Chicago are like a beacon in the winter, a perfect place to be when the cold weather calls! Whether you are seeking family fun or luxury, the Windy City provides! Skating in Millennium Park or any of the other parks with breathtaking scenery! The comfort of a fire pit and the friendly competition of a curling rink at wonderful establishments like The Gwen! And the annual sledding hill of Soldier Field with more than enough thrill to be sought! With all of this at your fingertips, why not Chicago?
The southern shores of Lake Superior have a beauty unmatched during this season! The calling of the Apostle Islands is unforgettable, its majesty a sight to remember! The tours of the ice caves are perfect for those looking to embrace the picturesque wonders! Besides the views, more hands-on activities such as cozy Ice Fishing and cruising with Snowmobiling are renowned across the country.
For those inclined to enjoy the quiet of the country, Crystal Mountain, Michigan is the place for you! With 58 of snowsport runs and miles of trails for snowshoeing or fat tire biking, there is a lifetime's worth of exploration and fun to be had! This year-round resort is perfect for families seeking a comfortable winter village with the skiing rink and fine dining or the expanses of the Crystal Mountain itself.
The mountains call! Lutsen Mountains is a bold community that finds its freedom through the tide of Winter! Thousands of acres of downhill skiing, hundreds of miles of trails for dog sledding, and impressive snowmobiling opportunities lay ahead, waiting for you to discover their magic! From the icy Great Lakes to the depths of Minnesota’s wilderness, there are plenty of worlds to explore in the Lutsen Mountains.
Settled along the northern edge of Indiana, South Shore is a sublime expanse of communities surrounding the border of Lake Michigan! This upcoming season has always brought around a sense of mystique to this beautiful region, turning the vibrant dunes into mighty sledding hills and the local plazas into skating rinks. From Valparaiso to Stoney Run, the opportunities are there, waiting to be taken.
Without the distance, could there be authenticity to the winter vacation? Chestnut Mountain Resort, outside of Galena, IL, provides the answer: there is! Since 1959, Chestnut Mountain has provided the best snow sport experiences! From casual enthusiasts to long-time professionals, there are plenty of opportunities to improve and enjoy the expansive playground of runs! Not only has this resort proven itself to be established, but the aspiration to satisfy its many customers has been repeatedly unmatched in all of North Illinois.
The legendary Granite Peak in Wausau, WI provides one of the best variety experiences in all of Wisconsin for winter activities! With numerous snow sports opportunities across the largest ski resort in the state, there are years of enjoyment to be had across those wonderful slopes. In addition to this, the resort boasts an impressive 68 trails for hiking throughout the winter season! What is there not to love.
For the most impressive of winter explorers, the Porcupine Mountains in Ontonagon, MI provide a momentous season of activities! Hundreds of miles of trails for Snowmobiling, Cross Country, and Snowshoeing; plenty of optimal slopes for Snowboarding and Skiing; 200 inches of snow per year; and the best views in the entire Western Peninsula. What are you waiting for?
Want expanses to wander through? Lake County, IL has you covered! With over 100 lakes and rivers and nearly 31,000 acres of land to explore across the county, the arctic activities are endless! Snow sports, tubing, star gazing tours, impressive hiking locales, and vibrant winter festivals dot the landscape within the quaint towns and beautiful parks of the county.
Lastly, the serenity of the season has much to do in the way of winter activities, but what about the simple things? Easily enjoying sights with family and friends, roaming peacefully on foot, exploring the world as it was meant to be explored? Why not embrace such things in a place of world renown? Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore provides the exploration and the sights to be enjoyed! Hundreds of miles of hiking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing trails paired with beautiful sights such as the Ice Caves make for an unforgettable experience!