Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Transportation

It's downhill from here

Ski and other snow fun is available right here in Illinois

Looking for a great winter weekend getaway? Something different, you say? Something really refreshing? Like skiing, maybe? How about something high in the mountains with a breathtaking view of a world-class river? But you say you can't afford a trip to Switzerland, or even Colorado.

Take heart and take off for Galena, where you can ski Chestnut Mountain, overlooking the Father of Waters, or cross country ski at the Nordic Ski Center at nearby Eagle Ridge Inn.

Chestnut Mountain, with 17 ski trails gauged from beginner to expert up to 3,500 feet in length and in some parts, reaching a 475-foot vertical descent, Chestnut ranks as one of the best in the Midwest. It has snow-making capabilities and its two quad-seat chair lifts, two triple-seat chair lifts and five surface lifts provide capacity to serve 10,000 skiers every hour.

Been there, done that? Not likely, since the resort, which is served by Jo Carroll Electric Cooperative, just added a new seven-acre terrain park for snow boarders. It's called The Far Side, and its grand opening is scheduled for Dec. 20. Complete with a half-pipe run called The Pipe Dream, quarter-pipes, rails and fun boxes, The Far Side will be one of the largest and most complete facilities of its kind in the Midwest, says Gary Hanson, the resort's marketing director.

Chestnut also has added a 20,000-square-foot Village Ski Center. The new center now facilitates a new ski and snowbird school, a first-aid center, ticket office, guest services and public restrooms. Chestnut also offers a service resort with 120 rooms, two dining areas, a cafeteria, and live music in the lounge

What about the kids? Well, bring 'em along, Hanson says. The resort has added kids programs. Powder Pups introduces youngsters ages 4-6 to games and activities to help young skiers and snow boarders make snow-plow turns and stops, as well as encourage confidence and independence. Powder Rangers, for kids 7-12, features playful, yet challenging instruction. There's also Powder Play Care, a romper room for pre-powders.

With a 50-member professional Ski School, there are plenty of

10 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING DECEMBER 1997

group and private lessons offered for skiers at all skill levels. The resort also offers an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, miniature golf and a playground. In the summertime, visitors can ride a wheeled sled in a toboggan-like track 2,500 feet from a bluff down to the Mississippi.

A weekend or holiday ticket is just $30 for adults, while rental of skis, boots and poles is just $20. If that still seerns out of reach, group rates are available, as are oodles of special packages. Until Dec. 19, and again after March 9, you can ski or ride for $5. On Sunday evenings, children under 12 ski and rent for half price when their parents purchase a regular priced ticket. "Two-fer Tuesday" offers two all-day or all-night lift tickets for the price of one. On Wednesdays, $29 buys lift, lunch and a cocktail, $6 more buys rental and a lesson. Thursdays bring special rates for students. Beginning on Jan. 2, $25 buys you lift and rental on Friday evenings. There are other packages, including lodging, and some exceptions, so call ahead (800) 397-1320, for a brochure explaining them. (You could also send email to chestnutmt@aol.com, or visit the resort's website at www.travelbase.com/activities.skiing/chestnut_mtn.)

For cross-country skiers, the Nordic Ski Center at nearby Eagle Ridge Inn and Resort, about eight miles east of Galena, offers more than 34 miles of groomed cross-country trails that meander through the wooded hill country. Lessons and equipment are available. There also is an ice skating rink, with skate rental, and a sledding hill, where tubes and sleds are available to rent. The Nordic Center is open November through March, weather permitting.

Eagle Ridge, also served by Jo Carroll Electric Cooperative, offers an 18-hole championship golf course and a nine-hole golf course in wooded hill country about 8 miles east of Galena, including four full-service clubhouses. The Golf Academy offers two- and three-day golf schools. (800) 892-2269 or (815) 777-2444.

And if that's not enough, visit the many other interesting sites in Jo Daviess County.

Photos by Herb Keener

Ski for fun and fitness Just in time for the holidays and ski season, fitness publisher Human Kinetics of Champaign offers up two books for ski-buffs. Serious skiers will be interested in High Performance Skiing (248 pages, $17.95) by skiing expert John Yacenda and former World Cub coach Tim Ross. This book offers the latest in expert instruction, technique and conditioning. Newly released in its second edition, the book contains a how-to approach for skiers desiring to rev up their racing, along with tips on how to handle a variety of skiing situations. It also reviews equipment technology. Fitness Cross Country Skiing (176 pages, $21.95) author Steve Gaskill, who has coached for 25 years including a 10-year stint with the U.S. Ski Team, guides readers through the best skiing workouts. Included are 43 indoor and summer work-outs for year-round fitness; tips on choosing the right equipment; cross training advice for running, cycling, hiking, and inline skating; and guidelines for a personalized training program. Check your local bookseller, or contact Human Kinetics at (217)351-5076.

DECEMBER 1997 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 11

Manitoomie - The land the Ice Age missed

Galena, tucked into the very northwest corner of Illinois, bore nine Union Army generals, including Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States. But Galena's fate was sealed long before the Civil War, when Ice Age glaciers, which flattened so much of Illinois, bypassed the area, sparing its rolling hills and steep cliffs.

Native Americans mined rich deposits of lead and ore in the land they called Manitoomie (Sacred Ground or God's Country) long before French explorers of the late 1600s discovered her rich bounty. Congress created the Upper Mississippi Land Mine District in 1807.

In 1811, the county's namesake, Joseph Hamilton Daviess, a prominent Kentucky lawyer and soldier was slain at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Galena's first trading post was built in 1819. Four years later the first steamboat churned the Mississippi.

The nation's first mineral rush in the late 1820s fueled Galena's transformation into the busiest Mississippi River port between St. Louis and St. Paul. Population (now 3,647) crested at 14,000.

The railroads replaced steamboats and the Civil War demanded the area's lead, but most of the mineral already had been tapped and the city drifted into slumber.

Today, Galena is robust once again, with outdoor enthusiasts, antique collectors and shoppers, and visitors interested in her rich history. Along Main Street and in surrounding neighborhoods, they find 19th century architecture, including Federal, Italianate, Greek Revival, Queen Ann, Gothic Revival, Second Empire and Romanesque Revival. Many of the buildings are marked with plaques explaining their history. Trolley tours are available.

But don't stop at Galena. The winding roads of Jo Daviess County becken. Visitors will want to consult the visitor's guide for a maps to several senic drives: including the Great River Road and Stagecoach Trail. Get off the beaten path and visit the many other communities in the area with the same idyllic beauty. Call (800) 747-9377) for a copy, then consider spending some time in the county's other charming and historic communities, including:

East Dubuque (pop. 1,914)

Originally named Dunleith after a Scottish village, this river town was home to Captain Merry, whose ferrying operation served as a stop for slaves on the underground railway.

Elizabeth (pop. 641)

Aside from being home to Jo Carroll Electric Cooperative, Elizabeth is noted as home to many artists and a romantic wedding chapel in an 1875 country church.

Elizabeth was founded by prospectors who first arrived in 1826. Six years later they had built a fort. Soon after, Chief Blackhawk and party laid siege that was successfully resisted with the dutiful help of three women — all named Elizabeth.

Hanover (pop. 908)

The site of Whistling Wings, the world's largest mallard duck hatchery, Hanover claims to be the Mallard Capital of the World.

Stockton (pop. 1,871)

Home since 1914 to the cheese business created by the Kraft brothers; the majority of Swiss cheese produced by Kraft General Foods Company comes from here.

Scales Mound (pop. 388)

The entire village is a National Register Historic District, including a well-preserved collection of white frame houses and commercial buildings built around the turn of the century.

Warren (pop 1,550)

This is the home of Apple Jack Cheese, which produces 4.5 million pounds of cheese a year. Take in the 17-acre Meridian Park, or the 297-acre Apple River Canyon State Park.

That's not all! Ski Snowstar, too Chestnut Mountain is not the only place to ski in Illinois, although it is the only one with overnight and luxury accommodations. Those seeking a ski adventure, or snowboarding or snow tubing, might also consider Snowstar Winter Park. Snowstar is located on Illinois Route 92 about 7 miles west of Rock Island. Snowstar, which has snow-making capabilities, provides 25 acres of fun for all age and ability levels. In addition to skiing on one of 12 slopes, you can try snow boarding and tubing. There are two quad chair lifts and three rope tows, and Snowstar is open for night skiing. Group and individual lessons are available. Snowstar ski school is a member of Professional Ski Instructors of America. It also offers a full rental shop. For more information, call Snowstar at (309) 798-2666.

12 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING DECEMBER 1997