Terry Peak Ski Resort - Lead, South Dakota

Address:Lead, South Dakota
Tel: (605) 584-2165

Situated in a natural snow belt, Terry Peak Ski Resort is blessed with over 150 plus inches annually, which makes it a great destination in the South Dakota Badlands for skiers and snowboarders. Located just 8 miles from Deadwood (yes, the same Deadwood as on HBO) and boasting a stunning 7,052 foot summit, Terry Peak is home to South Dakota's only 2 high speed detachable chairlifts, which takes riders up to 450 acres of prime skiing terrain.

Open from 9am to 4pm, and with a season running from December to March, Terry Peak has over 30s trails, including six beginner specific slopes with gentle, wide open range to learn and improve on. Nine intermediate trails with graduated pitch keep the advanced beginners busy, and the thirteen black diamond trails and two glade areas keep the advanced to expert skiers and riders knee deep in snow. With trails like "Holy Terror" which is almost straight moguls the whole way down, expert riders will have their knees and thighs burning. Four chairlifts, including the detachable speedy lifts, service the whole mountain and, as the highest lift served East of the Rockies, Terry Peak caters to its riders, making sure they get to stay on the snow longer than they spend standing in line.

Snowboarders have free range and congregate in the "Area 76" terrain park which is accessed by the "Surprise Express" chairlift. Featuring a half pipe with 12 foot walls to bank off, there are also numerous rails, funboxes, and other stunts which can take you from 16 to 28 feet in the air! Jibs and rollers top off this area, making it the ideal place to be for catching some air.

Lessons are available from age 4, all the way up to senior citizens, and are given by professional instructors. Special children programs are in place, designed for age appropriate supervised learning on the slopes. Sno-puppies (4 -5 years old) and Sno-tigers (6-12) learn with their peers, and develop a healthy love for winter sports. There are the traditional learn to ski/board lessons available, as well as ladies only ski clinics, and terrain park lessons for both beginner and advanced riders.

Children under age 5, and seniors over the age of 70, ski or ride for free at Terry Peak. There are adult and junior pricings on tickets, which are sold for full or half day (starting at 12:30pm) time brackets. There are also Beginner only area tickets and 3 consecutive day packs. A full rental shop provides riders with skis, snowboards, skiblades, and helmets for full, half, or 3 day rentals.

Stewart Lodge, located onsite, has a cafeteria, with seating for guests wanting to have a quick bite to eat slopeside, but the action really heats up when you head into the towns of Lead or Deadwood. With over 100 plus cuisine options ranging from supper shows, fish frys, steakhouses, chuckwagon buffets and even some Asian, Mexican, and Greek eateries thrown in, these two towns serve it up hot and hearty.

Check out the supper shows, honest to goodness western saloons, gambling halls, and social and dance clubs located in these National Historic Register listed towns and feel a throwback to the olden days, with the fresh taste of modernism when needed. When the day is through, and your energy spent, choose from one of the fifteen plus lodging options which include manors, hotels, condos, and private rentals in addition to the beautiful bed & breakfasts to be found scattered around.

Lead, South Dakota was founded during the gold rush of 1876, when it was discovered to be home to one of the richest gold veins uncovered. It still glitters with gold to this day, and the richness of Terry Peak will leave you breathless and ready for more, just like those gold seekers of yesteryear.