Chestnut Mountain Resort

Illinois ski resort in Galena above the Mississippi River with 18 trails, 10 lifts, and a 475-foot vertical drop.

Key Stats

Vertical Drop
145m (476ft)
The height difference between the top and bottom of the mountain
Summit Elevation
317m (1,040ft)
How high the highest lift or peak reaches
Base Elevation
172m (564ft)
Height of the main base village — higher means cooler, drier snow
Annual Snowfall
89cm (35in)
Average annual natural snowfall — higher is better for powder days
Trails
18
Total number of marked runs on the trail map
Lifts
10
Total number of lifts including chairlifts, gondolas, and t-bars
Resort Size
138 acres
Total groomed and patrolled terrain

Terrain Breakdown

The percentage of marked trails in each difficulty level. A higher beginner percentage means more terrain suitable for novices and families; a higher advanced percentage means more challenge for experts.

Beginner
26%
Intermediate
58%
Advanced
16%

Best For

FamiliesTerrain Parks

When to go

Average monthly snowfall and snowpack depth, with the typical operating window shaded.

Chestnut Mountain Resort's heaviest snowfall and deepest snowpack both land in January.

peak monthJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
Snowfall
peaks Jan
Snowpack
peaks Jan
Typical season
Nov – Mar

Snowfall: NOAA, 30-year normals (1991–2020).

Snow depth: NOAA, daily station data (1994–2023).

Location

Set in the rolling hills of northwestern Illinois near Galena, this low-elevation Midwest resort sits on bluffs above the Mississippi River. The terrain is gentle and wooded, typical of the region's river valley landscape rather than high mountains.

Getting there

Moderate to reach

Fly into Chicago O'Hare (ORD), about 3 hours from the resort by road.

Compare Chestnut Mountain Resort to

These are the resorts most similar to Chestnut Mountain Resort. Pick one to see a side-by-side.

vs Cascade Mountainvs Mountain Creekvs Montage Mountain Ski Resortvs Ski Butternutvs Seven Springs Mountain Resortvs Tyrol Basinvs Pine Knob Ski Resortvs Trollhaugen

Explore Further

More ski resorts in United States →Official website →