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Check out Chestnut
Ski resort director optimistic despite uncertain economy
GALENA, Ill. -- It is nearly three months until skiers will first be able to hit the slopes at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, but that isn't stopping one of the most popular resorts in the area from preparing early to make the 2009-2010 ski season a success.
Last year the resort posted similar numbers to the previous season, despite the financial avalanche that hit the economy and many other ski resorts. It hopes this season will be as successful, despite the continuing recession.
"We are pretty optimistic," Marketing Director Stewart Stoffregan said.
The resort, located at 8700 W. Chestnut Road near Galena, was ranked No. 2 in the Midwest by Ski Magazine in 2004 and recently announced several renovations, including a new restaurant.
"The Sunset Grille features a 1,400-square-foot outdoor dining deck that looks over the resort and the Mississippi River," Stoffregan said.
The full menu for the restaurant has not been released, but Stoffregan said it offers "a little bit of everything under the sun" including: crab cakes, caprese flatbread, specialty salads, black and blue burgers, provolone pesto chicken, steak wraps, stuffed chicken breasts, gorgonzola crusted filets, pork tenderloin, citrus crusted tilapia and specialty pizzas.
The resort is also making minor renovations to the lodge and bar.
Chestnut Mountain stands 475-feet tall and boasts 220 acres and a total of nineteen runs extending 3,500 feet. A lodge houses 120 visitors.
Stoffregan said there are trails for everyone, from newcomers to experts. For those who prefer to snowboard, the resort has the Midwest's largest terrain park including seven acres of quarter pipes, half pipes, box jumps and more than 20 types of rails.
Fifty professional trainers provide lessens to aspiring skiers and snowboarders as young as 4.
Activities at Chestnut are not limited to the colder months. During the summer, visitors can ride a 2,050-foot alpine slide along the banks of the Mississippi River, putt 18 holes of miniature golf, take a cruise on the Mississippi River, ride the chair lifts, swim in an indoor pool or hike or bike along five miles of trails.
Boasting the largest snowmaking machine in the Midwest--70 snowmaking machines and five 300 HP Vertical Turbine Pumps with the capability of pumping 5,000 gallons of water per minute through each gun.
The facility annually tries to open for skiing before Dec. 1, a goal it has met five of the last seven years. This year it hopes to open Nov. 27.