Chestnut Mountain, overlooking the Mississippi River near Galena, Ill., is offering several specials to entice skiers and snowboarders midweek, when the slopes are normally less filled. It's a great time to get out.

There is Two-fer-Tuesdays when you get two all-day lift tickets for the price of one every Tuesday throughout the season. Wednesday is the Great Escape Special. You get a lift ticket, lunch, and a cocktail for $45 or, for $55, you get a lift ticket, rental equipment, a lesson, lunch, and that cocktail.

Being in school can pay off on Thrasher Thursdays.  All season long, students from grade school through college pay just $27 for an all-day lift ticket, or $45 for a lift, lesson and rental equipment.  For those that can't skip school the same packages are available from 4-9 p.m. for $25 and $35 respectively. College students will need a current ID.

Fantastic Friday's lift tickets are $25, starting at 4 p.m., and a lift ticket with a ski, snowboard or snowblade rental is $40. Slopes remain open until midnight.

Sunday, from 1 p.m. to close, lift tickets are $30 and a lift and ski or snowboard rental is $50. Monday through Friday a beginner area lift ticket, rental equipment and a lesson are $30.

A Midweek Sneakaway Package, which includes a night's lodging and lift tickets, starts from $79.95 per person, based on double occupancy.

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