Chestnut is Holding Heartland's First Ski Resort Winter Carnival

Chestnut Mountain, the lower Midwest's largest ski resort, is hosting the Heartland's first ski resort winter carnival the weekend of Feb. 25-26.  It promises fun for the whole family with games, competitions and live music. 

On Saturday there will be a Wiener Race (don’t ask) and the fourth annual Big Nut Open snowboard competition followed by a torch light parade that evening and a fireworks display over the Mississippi River.  Live music provided by Madison will be taking place in the Three Gables Lounge from 9 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. The Silly Slalom takes place on Sunday afternoon.  There will be a slew of carnival games and food available both days, and Jo Jo The Clown will be hanging around the slopes both days from 12-3 p.m on Saturday and 11 a.m to 2 p.m on Sunday.

The Big Nut Open is a Super Park Slopestyle event and Rail Garden Rail Jam for both non-open and open classes.  Entry fee is $15 for one Non-Open event and $20 for both.  Open Class fee is $20 for a single event or $25 for both.  Open Class will be competing for cash prizes with at least a minimum prize of $500 for the men’s open class.

Chestnut has a couple of weekend lift and lodging packages available all winter long.  The No Frills, Just Thrills Package, good for Friday and Saturday night lodging, starts from $115 per person, per night based on double occupancy.  It includes a two-day lift ticket.  The all-inclusive Weekend Ski Package starts from $345 per person, based on double occupancy.  It includes two nights' lodging, two two-day lift tickets, breakfast and lunch both days, and dinner Saturday night.