Seven-year-old Nathaniel Halama loves to sled and has already tried snowboarding.
This Saturday, he and about 30 other enthusiastic skiers, ages 6 to 9, came to Villa Olivia for one of its most popular classes, Ski Wee.
As a first-time skier, Nathaniel was excited to hit the slopes regardless of the 9-degree temperatures.
“I don’t care if it’s cold,” he said as he and his mother waited for class to begin.
Ski School Supervisor Karen Haywood said this year and last year have been busy for Villa Olivia, despite the poor economy. This can be attributed to snowfall, she said.
Throughout December, 20.8 inches of snow were recorded at O’Hare International Airport, the city’s official reporting station, according to a National Weather Service meteorologist. That makes last month the eighth snowiest December in Chicago since records started in 1886. Last year marked the seventh snowiest December, with 21.9 inches.
“The snow gets people interested in coming out,” Haywood said. “We get a lot of phone calls.”
Nevertheless, even if Nathaniel says he doesn’t mind the cold weather, others do.
“If it’s super cold, we would not be coming out,” said his mother, Justine Halama.
Ski supervisor at Villa Olivia of 16 years, Buzz Swanson agrees that business can drop with the temperature.
“If it’s really bad out, a lot of times it will affect people coming out,” Swanson said. “But if it’s warm and sunny, people want to come and enjoy the outside.”
For parents who ski, Swanson said Ski Wee is a great family activity. He has been skiing for more than four decades and said he even met his wife through a ski club.
“We are skiers and wanted our girls to learn in a structured environment,” said Elmhurst resident Todd Fatheree, who brought his 6- and 8-year-old daughters out to the class Saturday morning.
The class breaks the students up into various groups based on their ski experience and abilities.
“We teach them to walk, stop, turn, and then they slowly progress from there,” Swanson said.
With all the snow seen so far this year, Swanson said the resort should have no problem keeping its slopes white throughout the season.
In addition to the weather, Haywood said Villia Olivia continuously draws people because of its location.
“We are close by, and our prices are lower than a lot of other places,” Haywood said. “That makes Villa Olivia attractive.”
Finding winter fun
Because the village cut pond skating maintenance from its budget to save $4,000 this year, Bartlett residents will have to look elsewhere for winter activities. Check out these, which are available all season long.
Freestyle skating: Leiseberg Park, 325 E. Devon; open to the public from dawn until dusk
Hockey rink: Community Park, corner of Stearns and South Bartlett roads; open to the public from dawn until dusk, lights come on at 4:30 p.m.
Skiing and snowboarding: Villa Olivia, 1401 W. Lake St.; 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; group rates available for lessons with groups of 15 or more
Snowtubing: Villia Olivia; closed Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; open 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; group specials available Wednesday nights; for information, call (630) 289-1000, ext. 740
