Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Chestnut Mountain, Illinois' largest ski resort, is getting ready to celebrate one of the best winters in recent memory with its Winter Carnival. Scheduled to take place the weekend of Feb. 21-22 it promises to be a lot of fun for the whole family with games, competitions, and live music.

On Saturday there will be a snow sculpture contest and a Reality Check/Chestnut snowboard competition followed by a torch light parade that evening and a giant fireworks display over the Mississippi River. Live music with the Brew Brothers will be taking place in the Three Gables Lounge. The Silly Slalom takes place Sunday afternoon. Of course 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. The times for all events can be found online.

The snow has been great since opening day, and the views of the Mississippi River from the 500-foot bluff are always incredible. The ski runs are cut through the rock-bound bluff and offer some of the best runs found in the lower Midwest. It's one of the most unusual and scenic ski resorts found in the Heartland. It looks like you could ski right to the river's edge, and you almost do.