Sign of the times Wilmot Mountain, located along the Wisconsin-Illinois border, is changing its name to Wilmot Mountain Ski and Mountain Bike Park. This is the place where the majority of Chicagoland skiers have learned to ski over the years. Skiing is still their major thrust, but it makes sense to spread the season. Mountain biking and skiing goes hand in hand. Many of the major western ski areas have turned to mountain biking in the summer, and are doing quite well.
Plans call for offering lift service to the top of the hill.
Bike and helmet rentals will be available on premises. The park will include a five-mile cross country trail, downhill trail, a slalom course and a sanctioned BMX track. Freestyle competition and BMX racing will be featured every Saturday night during the summer season. Not a bad move considering I'm still mountain biking in northern Michigan, although I'm sure this is meant to help fill the idle summer months. But, if you can't ski, you might as well be mountain biking.