Winter Outdoor Recreation

Travel the snow-touched slopes of Arrowhead Golf Club this winter with cross-country skiing!

This low-impact sport offers the benefits of aerobic exercise, burns calories, and builds muscles. Arrowhead Golf Club (26W151 Butterfield Rd.) maintains groomed trails and provides equipment rentals. Skiers are encouraged to stay on the groomed trails which have been provided, skiing is allowed throughout the course as weather permits.

Trail access is provided free of charge. Rental equipment does require a fee.

If our merry miles aren’t quite enough, our neighbors at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Herrick Lake Forest Preserve have even more trails to travel!

Visit arrowheadgolfclub.org for more information, or check for updates on cross-country skiing conditions on our Status Updates page.

Pass the puck, skate backwards, have a shootout, and play hockey.

When weather conditions are approved for ice skating, they’re approved for hockey. Remember, green flags mean “GO”, red flags mean “NO.”

Before you lace up your skates, there are a few rules:

• Hockey is only permitted on the smaller ice rink of Central Athletic Complex.
• Hockey is allowed at Rathje Park on weekdays before 4P and on weekends and school holidays before 2P.
• Playtime is restricted to posted times on all ice rinks.
• Skating is subject to weather conditions, including snowfall. If conditions are deemed unsafe, a rink may close.
• Use is at visitor’s risk.
• Skating is not permitted behind the island or beyond the bridge at Northside Park.
• Hockey is not permitted in front of the Warming Shelter at Northside Park.

Locations offering ice hockey

Check for updates on ice hockey conditions on our Status Updates page.

Ice fishing is only permitted at Elliot Lake and is undertaken at the visitor’s risk.

Remember, green flags mean “GO”, red flags mean “NO.”

Ice skating is prohibited at Elliot Lake.

Check for updates on ice conditions on our Status Updates page.

Remember, green flags mean go and red flags mean no!

Safety first: all ice rinks are swept and resurfaced as needed. We monitor the ice daily and post flags to let skaters know when conditions are safe. Green flags indicate safe conditions, and red flags indicate unsafe conditions.


What if I don’t know how to skate?
It’s never too late to learn! Visit http://www.realbuzz.com for some first-time skater tips, or consider registering for an ice skating class. See our full list of lessons >

There are some guidelines for ice safety:

• Ice must be at least 8″ thick for ice skating on ponds.
• Outdoor winter recreation is subject to weather conditions. If conditions are unsafe, we will close a skating rink or sledding hill until they become safe again.
• Rinks will not be plowed during snowfall, but when snowfall stops.
• In cases of heavy snowfall, not all rinks may be cleared for use.
• Use is at visitor’s risk.
• Skating at Northside Park is not permitted behind the island or beyond the bridge.

Locations offering ice skating >

Check for updates on ice skating conditions on our Status Updates page.

Hop on a sled, toboggan, or inner tube!

We maintain a sledding hill at Northside Park (1300 N. West St.) for everyone who wants to go riding in a one-horse open sleigh, but doesn’t have the horse or the sleigh.

From his experience with winter wonderlands, Santa Claus has shared some suggestions:

• Outdoor winter recreation is subject to weather conditions. If conditions are unsafe, we will close a skating rink or sledding hill until they become safe again.
• Sledding can be a hazardous activity with substantial risk. Use is at visitor’s risk.
• Use of snowboards and skis is strictly prohibited.
• Building of moguls, ramps, jumps, bumps, and hills is strictly prohibited.
• Pets are strictly prohibited from the sledding hill.

Check for updates on sledding conditions on our Status Updates page.

Go snowshoeing and find the unpacked snow in our parks and Lincoln Marsh!

Rentals are $5 per hour and available in child and adult sizes. Snowshoeing requires at least three inches of snow. All participants must sign a Rental Agreement & Waiver (PDF). Minors under 18 must have waivers signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Participants are liable for any damages to the equipment up to $100. A state ID, driver’s license, credit card, or car keys will be held as a deposit until the equipment is returned.

Please note:

• Snowshoes may not leave the property on which they’re rented
• Any equipment returned after rental hours will incur a $5 fee for every 10 minutes late

Rentals Details

Wheaton’s First Outdoor Ice Rinks

Outdoor ice rinks at Central Athletic Complex are available for public use, free of charge. The two rinks are reserved for specific use:

Smaller Rink = Hockey | Larger Rink = Free/Open Skating

Remember, green flags mean “GO”, red flags mean “NO.”

Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa while participating in outdoor fun this winter.

The Warming Shelter at Northside Park (1311 N. West St.) is open during the winter months, weather conditions permitting, to accommodate those participating in sledding, skating, snowshoeing, and other outdoor winter recreation. Restrooms, limited concessions, and snowshoe rentals are available at the Warming Shelter. Call 630.234.9351 to confirm snowshoe availability. Ice skates are not available for rent.

We reserve the right to close the Warming Shelter due to lack of participants or inclement weather.

Warming Shelter Hours*

*Outdoor winter recreation at Northside Park is not limited to the Warming Shelter hours.