Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Four Lakes that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Four Lakes stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Four Lakes review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Four Lakes
Total (2.3)
A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
Signed up for lessons over Christmas break for our 6 year old - three lessons over the span of a week. Turned out to be a big waste of money; instructors provided very little "instruction", instead they prefer to just let the little ones flail around with no tips on how to snowboard. Also, the rope tow is very difficult for youth to manage (deep rut carved into snow by rope is tricky to navigate on a snowboard for a child), and based on my observations during the week-long lessons, staff are not active in helping the little ones when they fall down at the rope tow, or fall off the rope tow over and over and over...
I'm sorry that I spent the money for lessons here - I would have been better off taking my son to another hill for one outing and teaching him myself. He would have gotten much more out of it. Management at Four Lakes did not even bother to respond to my several attempts to contact them. The youth group lesson at Four Lakes was a big waste of money.
Four Lakes is what it is—a bump in the Chicagoland area with some snow-making equipment. If the snow was ever prevalent, you could enjoy a quick (in a brief sense) shoosh, but mostly all you'll get is a hard-packed ice base under what was the night before's snow-making. Injuries abound, but the staff is friendly and well-trained to accommodate the unfortunate. Your highlight of the day (or night) might be being witness to a gang a local teens who think they own the place berate and belittle any kid in their path or who dares enter "their" terrain park. What a joke. But if you're of age, the bar is cozy. You don't need skis or a board to enjoy that.
Evan Wright
Given the flatness of Chicagoland, it is a fluke to have any skiing at all close to home, so you have to grade Four Lakes on a curve. While the hill is small, it is certainly adequate for learning to ski or for teaching your kids. I live close by, and go there about once every week or two just get in a few runs in between trips to other places. I have never had to wait in line for the rope tows, which compensates a bit for the hill being so small. Also, the price for a slope pass is cheap in comparison to other places, so you don’t have to stay the whole day to feel like you got your money’s worth. The only downside to it being a great place to learn is that there are lots of people…uh…well….learning. The terrain park seems to get crowded sometimes, but the regular slopes not so much. Also, the row tows get tiring after a while. A T-Bar surface lift would be a major improvement.
One thing Four Lakes definitely has going for it is a cool Lodge. It is divided into two halves, one with a basic concession area and tables, the other with a full blown bar/restaurant. The restaurant has a stage for bands, has a huge fireplace, and even a moose head. I’ve eaten there twice, and the food was good.
Two of my kids have learned to ski or snowboard here or at villa olivia. My third wants to try this year, so we're going to sundown for x-mas. Nice bar to watch the kids from at Four Lakes.
Ed
Good resort if you want to get out. Terrain park is actually good, but thats when it is up. The snow is usually in good condition too!!
If it's close to your home, it's worth going. It's not a bad place to learn, the hill is not very steep. If you're not ready to use a tow rope, you can walk to the top of the beginner hill. It can get crowded on the weekends, but the evenings aren't too bad. Don't plan on spending the day there, in about 20 minutes you've gone down every run they have.
J
I can't really say too much about this place.
We went there for a quick trip during the week, and I can say that it was my first and last time.
Not impressed, and it is definitely worth the extra trip up North
4 lakes is a great place to go on a friday night or week nite. the only reason i go is, it is the tow ropes are one of the bests ways to ride park, you get 100 hits on the same jump in an hour and a half, you can progress so much in one night.
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