2009-10 Vacation Guide


Interactive Travel Guide
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2009-10 Winter Guide


Interactive Winter Guide
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Skiing & Snowboarding in the Black Hills

They stand tall, these two mountains just southwest of Lead-Deadwood, S.D. Up to 7,076 feet — tall enough to gather in the pure Western snows from the storm clouds blowing from Wyoming.

On average, about 150 inches of snow falls at the Black Hills’ ski mountains annually. That’s about 13 feet of “white gold.” With a little luck, we’re skiing by Thanksgiving at Mystic Miner Ski Resort and nearby Terry Peak Ski Area. The snowpack continues to deepen until March or early April.

Among the appeal which draws customers from a seven-state region is the mild weather. Average daytime high temp for winter days is 26 degrees. Other draws to the Black Hills include the big verticals … some of the highest skiing you’ll find between the Rockies and New England. Third, they’re uncrowded. The lifts can move thousands of skiers per hour so there’s seldom much waiting in a lift line.

Price is also a very important factor. All-day, all-area lift tickets at Terry Peak cost $45 for adults. Over at Mystic Miner , you’ll pay $38 for a day.

Mystic Miner Ski Resort
Mystic Miner Ski Resort markets itself as a family resort, with over 200 acres of skiing and 44 trails. Mystic Miner has an 850-foot vertical drop.

The ski area has developed a 5-acre snowboard terrain park,The Atomic Shelf , is full of spines and box jumps, and coming in October of 2009 there will be a new half pipe.  The park is set up for all levels of snowboarders’ skills from beginner to advanced.

The resort offers a 3,000 foot triple chairlift and two poma-lifts to take less-skilled skiers to the tops of the novice trails. The West Ridge area, a 70-acre expansion served by a new chairlift, opened in 2002. Skiers get off the area’s main chairlift and ski through a tunnel to new ski terrain with its own 2,500 foot double chair and runs to accommodate the novice or expert skier.

  Mystic Miner has snowmaking capabilities covering 60% of the mountain to help Mother Nature when necessary.

The resort also offers a ski-school, to learn the basics of becoming a great snowboarder or skier, or if you just need a little help enhancing  your skills. With an adult lesson starting at about $20 per hour to hour and a half long session.


For those who enjoy their fun in the snow without being strapped to anything, try Mystic Miners' Blizzard  Tubing Park. With seven tubing lanes and having the tubes provided, you'll be sure to find fun around every corner. Rates start at $25 for the whole day.

If hunger strikes you while you are working hard at having fun, there is the Mine Shaft Tavern, with wide menu, there is plenty to choose from. Also the tavern offers a large selection of cocktails and beer.

A rental department and retail shop  are also  offered on site.

Terry Peak Ski Area
Terry Peak Ski Area boasts a 1,100-foot vertical drop and more than 20 miles of ski trails spread out over 400 acres of ski terrain.

Terry Peak offers five chairlifts, including two high-speed detachable quads that provide a four-minute ride to the top and let guests ski or ride over 80% of the mountain.

Man-made snow can cover 60% of the mountain since Terry Peak installed its original air and water snowmaking system in 1978. They have continued to upgrade the system over the years and now have some of the best snowmaking capabilities in the Midwest region.

The Stewart Day Lodge at the base of the novice slope incorporates basic ski services including a ticket office and rental department, ski school headquarters, retail store, cafeteria and lounge.

There is plenty of other Winter Fun to be have, while visitingdarea, you can go  Gaming, or there is plenty of shopping, and many trails to go snowmobiling on. So take a look at the Calendar of Events to see if there is any Special Events during your stay.

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