A family ski trip from Chicago does not have to break the bank. These 29 budget and moderate-tier resorts within a 4-hour drive deliver genuine family skiing at a fraction of luxury prices. Each has a family score of 5.5 or higher, so you are not sacrificing quality for cost.
Top Budget Resorts (29)
Ski Snowstar
Illinois, USA
$0 adult day pass, 151 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
151 mi
Snow Park at Alpine Hills
Illinois, USA
$0 adult day pass, only 61 miles out.
$0
day pass
61 mi
Sundown Mountain Resort
Iowa, USA
$0 adult day pass, 154 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
154 mi
Alpine Valley Ski Area
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, 229 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
229 mi
Bittersweet
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, only 115 miles out.
$0
day pass
115 mi
Caberfae Peaks
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, 191 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
191 mi
Cannonsburg Ski Area
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, 144 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
144 mi
Mackenzie Cross-Country Trail
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, 191 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
191 mi
Mt. Holiday
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, 226 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
226 mi
Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard Resort
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, 238 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
238 mi
Snow Snake Ski & Golf
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, 210 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
210 mi
Timber Ridge Ski Area
Michigan, USA
$0 adult day pass, only 113 miles out.
$0
day pass
113 mi
Alpine Valley Resort
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, only 59 miles out.
$0
day pass
59 mi
Blackhawk Ski Club
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, only 114 miles out.
$0
day pass
114 mi
Cascade Mountain
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 134 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
134 mi
CLCF Nordic
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, only 98 miles out.
$0
day pass
98 mi
Devil's Head Ski Area
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 133 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
133 mi
Kettlebowl
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 233 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
233 mi
Mt. La Crosse
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 206 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
206 mi
Nordic Mountain
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 162 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
162 mi
Triangle Sports Area
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 175 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
175 mi
Tyrol Basin
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 121 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
121 mi
Tyrol Basin Ski And Snowboard Area
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 121 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
121 mi
Whitetail Ridge
Wisconsin, USA
$0 adult day pass, 201 miles from the airport.
$0
day pass
201 mi
Caberfae Peaks
Michigan, USA
$55 adult day pass, 192 miles from the airport, true budget option, strong family scores.
$55
day pass
192 mi
Cascade Mountain
Wisconsin, USA
$59 adult day pass, 143 miles from the airport, true budget option, strong family scores.
$59
day pass
143 mi
Devil's Head
Wisconsin, USA
$65 adult day pass, 137 miles from the airport, strong family scores.
$65
day pass
137 mi
Crystal Mountain
Michigan, USA
$79 adult day pass, 201 miles from the airport, true budget option, strong family scores.
$79
day pass
201 mi
Granite Peak
Wisconsin, USA
$79 adult day pass, 223 miles from the airport, true budget option.
$79
day pass
223 mi
Quick Comparison
| Resort | Distance | day pass | Beginner | Walkability | Day Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ski Snowstar | 151 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Snow Park at Alpine Hills | 61 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Sundown Mountain Resort | 154 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Alpine Valley Ski Area | 229 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Bittersweet | 115 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Caberfae Peaks | 191 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Cannonsburg Ski Area | 144 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Mackenzie Cross-Country Trail | 191 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Mt. Holiday | 226 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard Resort | 238 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Snow Snake Ski & Golf | 210 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Timber Ridge Ski Area | 113 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Alpine Valley Resort | 59 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Blackhawk Ski Club | 114 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Cascade Mountain | 134 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| CLCF Nordic | 98 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Devil's Head Ski Area | 133 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Kettlebowl | 233 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Mt. La Crosse | 206 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Nordic Mountain | 162 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Triangle Sports Area | 175 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Tyrol Basin | 121 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Tyrol Basin Ski And Snowboard Area | 121 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Whitetail Ridge | 201 mi | $0 | 6.5 | 5.0 | $0 |
| Caberfae Peaks | 192 mi | $55 | 8.0 | 7.0 | $55 |
| Cascade Mountain | 143 mi | $59 | 8.0 | 6.5 | $59 |
| Devil's Head | 137 mi | $65 | 7.5 | 7.0 | $65 |
| Crystal Mountain | 201 mi | $79 | 8.5 | 7.5 | $79 |
| Granite Peak | 223 mi | $79 | 7.5 | 6.5 | $79 |