Outdoor Winter activities are now possible

Question

We finally have enough snow, albeit barely, to have a little Winter fun... So, for visitors, and locals alike, you have a couple days to take advantage before the meltdown this coming week....

A forum regular requested i give winter recreation updates every time we get some pow, so here goes...

We got about an inch+ in the near north 'burbs, and more the further north you go. It's just barely enough to XC ski...but the ground being frozen helps a lot.... Lake County, IL got 2-3 inches, which is more than enough to XC ski on grassy surfaces...ie--golf courses and large public parks. Forest preserve trails are probably a non-starter... An excellent golf course for XC skiing is the Lake Bluff public course....they even groom when there's enough snow, usually 4+ inches on frozen ground... The Wilmette Public course also grooms, but it's spotty compared to LB, but it does have an onsite cafe where you can get hot chocolate or a bite...

I saw a few local sledding hills and there was just enough snow to make it worthwhile.

As of several days ago, there were no outdoor ice rinks in place, and i'm willing to bet, with the mild weather coming, don't expect them to be operational any time in the near future....

Answer

It looks like Chicago and the surrounding area finally received enough snow to enjoy some winter activities, even though it's just barely enough for some outdoor fun. For both locals and visitors, there are a few days left to make the most of the winter conditions before the warmer weather arrives next week.

Here's an update on the current outdoor winter recreation options:

Cross-Country Skiing: The snowfall in the near north suburbs is just enough for cross-country skiing, especially on areas with frozen ground. Lake County, IL got 2-3 inches of snow, which is more than enough for skiing on grassy surfaces such as golf courses and large public parks. The frozen ground beneath the snow provides a solid base for skiing, making it quite enjoyable.
- Lake Bluff Public Golf Course: This is an excellent spot for XC skiing. They even groom the course when there's enough snow, usually when it reaches 4+ inches on frozen ground.
- Wilmette Public Golf Course: While not as consistently groomed as Lake Bluff, Wilmette still offers some XC skiing options. The plus side is that there's an onsite café where you can warm up with hot chocolate or grab a quick bite after skiing.
Sledding: If you're looking for some good old-fashioned fun, several local sledding hills have enough snow to make it worth the trip. While the snowfall was minimal, it’s still sufficient for a quick sledding session, especially if you find a good hill with a solid base.
Ice Skating: Unfortunately, there are no outdoor ice rinks set up yet, and given the upcoming mild weather, it’s unlikely that any will be operational in the near future. This means outdoor ice skating isn't an option for now.

Overall, if you can get out to one of the golf courses in Lake County or find a good sledding hill, it's definitely worth it to enjoy the winter activities while they last! Hopefully, the next snowstorm will bring more opportunities for outdoor fun.