I'm sticking around Chicago this weekend and thought I'd like to drive up to Madison for the day on Saturday, probably staying overnight.

Suggestions on a day- to day and a half trip to Madison? I know I want to visit the Yellow Jersey bike shop, and to drink either a little or a lot of local beer, depending on whether I overnight or not.

Also, is there some little ski area either on the way there from Chicago, or nearby? I was thinking of doing a couple of hours of snowboarding as part of the trip. Not sure the snow will be any good but then again I'm not much of a snowboarder.

Thanks for any suggestions.

My favorite brewpubs in Madison in order are:

1. Ale Asylum - GREAT lineup of beers including several Belgian styles (try the flagship Ambergeddon, one of the hoppiest most flavorful ambers I've had, actually try them all), GREAT hand-made sandwiches and pizzas.

2. Great Dane - 2 locations, downtown and Fitchburg(go to the one downtown - it's near State St.) Very good beers, usually 8-10 different styles on tap including one or two cask-conditioned. VERY good, eclectic food.

3. J.T. Whitney's - OK beer and food

Also, if you want to make a short 30 minute trip East of Madison, one of the crown jewels of the brewing world is in Lake Mills, Tyranena brewing, my "local" pub. GREAT lineup of brews including one of the top rated IPA's in the world, and a current one-off which I haven't had yet, but IIRC, it is an imperial oatmeal porter aged in scotch barrels. Apparently (haven't seen it yet) Tyranena has recently been named one of the top 100 breweries by ratebeer.com.

For snowboarding, Cascade Mountain is an easy half hour drive north of Madison. Have a great weekend!

Been a long, long time, may no longer have skiing, but IIRC, the former Playboy resort at Lake Geneva 1/2 way between Chicago and Madison used to have ski slopes. Don't know what may facilities may still be there.

The Playboy Club near Lake Geneva is now the Grand Geneva, and it still has skiing. There was a place called Majestic that may be the same place, but regardless no longer operates. Wilmot Mountain is also close to Lake Geneva, as is Alpine Valley.

I think if you're going all the way to Madison anyway, I would ski at Cascade or nearby Devil's Head.