Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort Review

Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort overlooks the Mississippi River near the river port town of Galena, Illinois. They are usually found in Ski Magazine's top ten list for ski resorts in the mid west.

The 19 runs are divided into 30% for beginners, 40% for intermediates, 20% for advanced and 10% expert. The runs are accessed by 9 lifts, 2 quad chairs, 4 triple chairs and 3 surface lifts. The vertical drop of the mountain is 475 feet and the longest run is .2 miles. The resort covers 220 acres with ritually non existent lift lines. The skiing doesn't stop when the sun sets, that's just when the lights come on.

Snowboards are welcome on all the trials plus their own 7 acre park. The Farside Terrain Park is the largest in the mid west. Here you will find rollers, kickers, table tops, quarter pipes and two halfpipes.

Other activities at Chestnut include mini golf, volleyball, a playground, mountain biking, hiking and the Alpine Slide. The lift serviced Alpine Slide is a sledding hill 2,050 feet long that ends at the Mississippi River. Moving indoors you can make use of the pool, sauna, whirlpool, live entertainment and fine dining.

A rather unique activity at Chestnut is the Mississippi Explorer Cruise. They are an hour and a half long with plenty of scenery, wildlife and history. The cruises include the lift ride to and from the river departure area.

Chestnut Mountain Ski Area.
Thanks to Sailing Nomad for the picture at flickr.com

The Village Ski Center is where you will find equipment rental, an apparel shop and the ticketing window. The shop features Rossignol skis and boots, Burton Boards and lots of ski accessories.

When it's time to eat your choices are the Sun Set Grille, the Alpine Resyaurant, the Chalet Lounge or the Mountain Top Cafe. There is often live music to enjoy as well as an electronic game room. There's always the town of Galena for more dining and entertainment options.

The Chestnut Mountain Resort's main lodge is the place to stay with one hundred and twenty rooms available. Choose from the standard room, a double room, the Jacuzzi King Suite or a Semi Private Suite.

Two other ski areas are within an hour of Chestnut, these are Sundown Mountain and Tyrol Basin. Other places of interest in the area are the home of President Ulysses S. Grant, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the Mystique Casino and Greyhound Park and the Diamond Jo Casino.

Chestnut Mountain Ski Team.
Thanks to Sailing Nomad for the picture at flickr.com

Other activities that can be found a short distance from Chestnut are sleigh rides, cross country skiing, golf and snowshoeing. Shopping, casinos and museums are also close by.

Chestnut Mountain Resort is a year round place to get out of the city and enjoy the outdoors. It's also a nice location for weddings, conferences and banquets. Give them a call and see how they can help with your next get together.

The address is Chestnut Mountain Resort, P.O. Box 6328, Galena, IL 61036. They can be reached by phone at 800-397-1320. For reservations call 800-397-1320 and the ski report at 800-798-0098. The slope hours are Monday - Thursday 9 am to 5 pm. Saturday and Sunday hours are 9 am to 9 pm.

Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort Map & Directions (click on "Marker" for your personalized directions)