2019-01-18 01:28:07
Sun-soaked skies, pristine powder-filled valleys and iconic snowcapped peaks beckon to be discovered in the winter. CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Get off the beaten path during a cross-country skiing outing. Nearly 6,000 miles of abandoned railroad grades, logging roads and fi e trails are open to cross-country skiing during the winter months. In the Black Hills National Forest, Big Hill, Eagle Cliff and Sundance trail systems are groomed for cross-country skiing in cooperation with local ski clubs. Area outfiters offer equipment rentals. FAT BIKING Biking enthusiasts ride year-round with the help of special fat tire bikes. Oversized tires and low ground pressure make it easy to roll over a wide variety of terrain with ease, especially snow. Fatbiking is permitted on any Black Hills trail where mountain biking is permitted — meaning endless adrenaline rushes and wintertime fun. The sport’s increasing popularity has led way to competitive winter races, including Snow Jam, a series of events hosted by the Northern Hills Recreation Association, and the 28 Below Fatbike race, a 50K lollypop loop with around 2,800 feet of climbing through picturesque Spearfish anyon, held March 16, 2019. ICE CLIMBING Take on a fresh challenge during the winter months as waterfalls and vertical seeps freeze up and make for some great ice climbing. Ice climbing is gaining in popularity, and the Black Hills is a great place to get started or polish your skills. Many climbs have easy access and no avalanche danger, while offering challenges on vertical ice that grows from springs and waterfalls. ICE FISHING Come winter, lakes once teaming with boats transform into ice fishing villages where anglers set up houses, drill holes in the ice and wait for the fish to bite. Fast-fl wing, spring-fed streams continue to run, even in the coldest months, allowing flyfishing for cold-water trout throughout the season. Popular lakes for ice fishing include Sheridan, Deerfield, Pactola, Angostura and more. Warm, lifelong memories are often forged from nature’s stunning sunsets and the hushed silence of winter. SKIING & SNOWBOARDING With a summit clocking in at 7,100 feet, Terry Peak Ski Area offers the highest lift service this side of the Rockies and can see up to three times as much snow as anywhere else in the region. A vertical rise of 1,100 feet, 29 trails and one Terrain Park mean nonstop action and unlimited adventure. The resort offers a full slate of services and amenities, including lessons and equipment rental, and is equipped to manufacture snow. Terry Peak’s uncrowded slopes and million dollar views will keep you coming back for more. SNOWMOBILING With 416 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in 1.2 million acres of national forest lands, the Black Hills offers endless sledding possibilities. No wonder Snow Goer Magazine ranked the Black Hills as one of the top three U.S. snowmobiling destinations. Detailed trail maps and markers make exploring fun and safe for all skill levels. The trail system is open Dec. 15 through March 31. SNOWSHOEING Get outside and explore the beauty of the Black Hills backcountry in the winter by snowshoe. All you need is a sense of adventure and good boots. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Custer State Park and the Mickelson Trail Offie offer free snowshoe rentals available for a day or weekend, with youth to adult sizing. WILDLIFE As autumn dissolves into the powdery white of winter, wildlife becomes easier to spot as they search for food and lose their natural shyness. Drive along Wildlife Loop in the southern part of Custer State Park, to encounter bison, elk, deer and bighorn sheep. Marvel at the animal antics from the warmth of your car. Badlands National Park is home to buffalo, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, deer and coyotes. Come winter, they are easily spotted along the roadway or near turnouts as they return to areas earlier overtaken by human visitors. For more information on outdoor winter adventures, visit blackhillsbadlands.com/outdoor-recreation.
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