Things to do / Travel Guide
Particularly blessed with some of the highest verticals between the Rockies and New England, the South Dakota Badlands offer the winter guest much in the way of skiing or snowboarding. Steeped in history and tragedy, the Lakota Indians long ago named this area “mako sica” meaning “land bad” for the desolate area devoid of civilization for miles. 244,000 acres of sharp rocks, buttes, steep canyons and other natural rock formations have been beat upon incessantly by water and winds for centuries. However, the Badlands have been settled in recent years past and now possess some of the best alpine and cross-country skiing around.
Usually receiving one major blizzard a year around February, and one cold front around January, the weather is usually pleasant enough not to cause frostbite. Once in a while reaching down below -30°F, it is usually warmer in the Badlands than the rest of South Dakota.
Skiing in and around Lead
The city of Lead prospers with ample acreage upon which over 150 inches a season fall and generously coat its two major ski areas – Terry Peak and Deer Mountain.
Laying claim to South Dakota's only two high speed detachable chairlifts, Terry Peak knows its guests want to spend as much time on the slopes and off the lift lines as possible. Snaking their way down from the 7,052 foot summit, thirty trails split off into six specific beginner slopes while the rest are rated at an intermediate or advanced level. There is an experts' gladed area within the boundaries of the ski area providing an exhilarating way to spend the day. Terry Peak's terrain park is jam packed with jibs, rollers, a halfpipe and jumps which can reach up to 28 feet high!
South Dakota's only snow skate park, made specifically for those riders on those impossibly tiny snow skates is located at Deer Mountain and is made for grinding on the boxes, rails and tracks all day and night. Snowboarders and freestyle skiers don't miss out on the fun, however, with Deer Mountain's five acre terrain park for guests on skis and boards with more girth. Alpine heights and tracks can be made on one of the 45 slopes built into the 850 foot vertical drop perfect for carving giant slalom turns all the way down. Deer Mountain's West Ridge dedicates seventy of their acreage paying special attention to beginner level riders.
Skiing in and around the Black Hills
As the Black Hills are just an extension of the Badlands, the whole area is primed for skiers and snowboarders no matter which area they lay claim to on a winter's day.
Cross-country riders for instance have an extensive network of trails spread over more than seventy miles. While some may be groomed by local ski clubs and park rangers, most are rustic and all natural, providing distinct and different features that change every season or even month to month. A topographical map is available at the ranger's stations in the National Park's boundaries or in outdoor recreation shops in town.
Some highlights include the Eagle Cliff's Trails which is a 14 mile self-guided loop which passes through meadows, nearby steep drop-offs and is suitable for beginner and intermediate riders. Bear Mountain Trails are loaded with wildlife, including bears, eagles, and deer, and can be found on this 16.1 mile track. The biggie of them all is the Centennial Trail which is a hefty 111 miles long and spans the whole North to South directions of the Black Hills. This is suitable only for those who have the stamina to partake on such a long trip but is one of the most rewarding trails offered in the Black Hills.
Lodging and dining for the Lead, Deadwood and Black Hills areas is extensive and unique in its own right. Rustic cabins in the deep woods to indoor water parks and spas in spacious resorts, familiar names like Days Inn to private vacation homes, B&Bs with home cooked meals to historic, authentic dude ranches – the Badlands has over 11,000 rooms ready and waiting for guests. Try the regional specialties, in particular the buffalo, elk and rainbow trout for a delectable experience not soon forgotten at one of the 28 restaurants and eateries in town. Jakes Atop the Midnight Star is actor Kevin Costner's favorite haunt in the Badlands and has won the award for excellence from Wine Spectators magazine, only proving that this fine dining establishment lives up to some pretty high standards. One stop for everything, including a hot meal can be had at Al's Oasis. Locally famous for its cups of coffee for five cents, small grocery store, and old west saloon, all overlooking the Missouri River, Al's Oasis is a site not to be missed.
HBO series (Deadwood), famous actors, infamous battles, old-west battles, steep verticals and spectacular scenery that blows the competition away, makes this “land bad” seem like an oxymoron because nowadays this land is good. Very good indeed.
Ski Resorts in Sturgis, Deadwood, Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City and the South Dakota Badlands
Skiing
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