With the snow in the air, calls abound about snow conditions in the Black Hills. Here are a couple of Webcam links that can shed some light on the great snow conditions this winter!

Trailshead Lodge, Highway 85, 20 miles southwest of Deadwood
http://www.trailsheadlodge.com/

Spearfish Canyon Lodge, Highway 14A (Spearfish Canyon National Scenic Byway) between Deadwood and Spearfish.

Boy, just three days until Christmas — yikes, I better get shopping!
Thankfully, the cold snap appears to have broken, and we are back in the temperatures the Black Hills are accustomed to … and just in time for the holidays.
Speaking of holidays, New Year’s Eve is just around the corner… now I don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Christmas, but I always like to plan ahead as well (except, of course, for shopping). So if you’re New Year’s Eve plans are still up in the air, come on out to Deadwood! Music, the ball drop and some great cash giveaways up and down Main Street and beyond wait. It really is a night for revelers…
Well, I best make that Christmas list and check it twice —
Happy Holidays to all!
Lee

The last two days have reminded me of my former years growing up in northern North Dakota. Uff da she’s chilly.
Luckily this is not commonplace in the Black Hills! When I woke up this morning, the thermometer was down to -20. I had forgotten thermometers actually went that low! But on the bright side, it’s sunny and rather nice looking outside — and the cold weather will make way for some fantastic snowmobiling conditions and help strengthen the ice on area lakes for the die-hard ice anglers. Yes, ice fishing — not quite the Grumpy Old Men style anymore, but still sitting on a frozen lake dangling a line through a hole in the ice. Yes, I know it sounds silly but if you haven’t tried it, you need to.
But speaking of snowmobiling, the Black Hills trail system is up and running. Today is the first day the groomers hit the trails, and they have plenty of snow to make some great trails.
You can view trail conditions by clicking here (Black Hills Snowmobile Trail Conditions). Stay warm and we’ll see you soon,
Lee

Attention all you fans of the white and fluffy — SNOW IS HERE! Whether it’s a trek on man-powered skis or aboard a snowmobile, it’s going to be a fantastic winter for powder hounds.
As I type this (10 a.m. on Dec. 11), snow continues to fall. While snowmobile trails don’t start being groomed until Dec. 15, there’s plenty of activity out and about. And the ski resorts are open.
Here are some links to Webcams:
Deadwood Main Street
Terry Peak

Enjoy the snow!
Lee

It really is the best rodeo, no bull!!!

The Days of ’76, one of the Black Hills’ premiere special events for more than eight decades, has once again taken the award for Medium Outdoor Rodeo of the Year at rodeo’s version of the Academy Awards in Las Vegas.

Year in and year out, the Days of ’76 has been considered a favorite among the bull riders, calf ropers, saddle bronc riders, barrel racers and others who compete in this Black Hills community for tens of thousands of dollars in prize money.

The rodeo has won this award nine times in the past 10 years, an obvious indication of how special the rodeo is. Days of ‘76 Committee Chairman Greg Nelson gives special credit to the the committee and many volunteers who put in countless hours to ensure the success of the event. “The great thing about this group is that the committee takes pride in getting out there and doing the work required to stage a premiere rodeo. When the contestants are competing and see the committee members out there getting dirty, they appreciate that,” he says.

“This is a very prestigious National award and Deadwood should be very proud of their rodeo,” added Nelson. “There are more than 750 PRCA rodeos each year and to be singled out as one of the best is truly an accomplishment.”

Nelson noted that coordinating an event of this scale is a year ‘round project. A 20-person board of directors, supplemented by various subcommittees and countless volunteers, makes this one of Deadwood’s largest annual events, he said. Nelson went on to express the importance of Deadwood’s Historic Preservation Commission dedicating funds to restore the grounds and City of Deadwood employees for their hard work during the event.

This year’s Days of ‘76 events will be July 21-25. For more information on the Days of ’76, call 1-800-999-1876 or go on-line at www.deadwood.com. For tickets and lodging packages, call 1-888-833-2855 or go on-line at www.blackhillsvacations.com.

And just when you think you’ve seen a rodeo, along comes the Days of ‘76! Make plans to attend in 2009!

Until next time,
Lee

So, how many of you were up well before the crack of dawn on “Black Friday” last week?
While shopping really isn’t my thing, I certainly do admire the gumption of folks, especially in parts of the Midwest when temperatures are well below freezing, to rise that early, wait in line, and be patient enough to get what you are after, despite hundreds of other motivated shoppers doing the same thing you are.
Yes, I’m sure plenty of folks bought new televisions and a laptop or two … really makes you think how bad the economy is, eh?
Anyway, Black Friday does overshadow Thanksgiving a wee bit, although watching friends and relatives flip through the pile of ads in the Thanksgiving Day local paper and figuring out a game plan can be entertaining. At any rate, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend.
And next year, if you want a change from the hustle and bustle, or the cooking, cleaning and hosting that comes along with Turkey Day, think Deadwood. The town is always open, and there are plenty of restaurants throughout town that offer fantastic Thanksgiving dinners. And there are also some great money-making opportunities over the weekend. Instead of waiting in line to spend money, how about going into a casino first thing Friday morning and actually having money handed to you? Yep, it happened last Friday in Deadwood. The first 500 people through the door of one casino were all given cash. Another location offered a free meal on Thanksgiving, with all the fixing’s. And there were plenty of places offering hourly drawings for cash and prizes.
So if you’re looking for a change of pace next Thanksgiving, think Deadwood.
Oh yeah, and the ski resorts opened last weekend. That’s the earliest opening date for a number of years. And as I type this, there are more flurries in the air. It’s going to be a great winter.
Check out www.deadwood.com for some great winter recreation vacation packages. Or if skiing and snowmobiling isn’t quite your cup of tea, there are other packages available.
See you soon, and enjoy the holiday season.
Lee

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We wish you the best this holiday season!
Things in Deadwood are starting to bustle with holiday activity, and the snow is helping to bring in the holiday spirit.
While temperatures remain warm during the day (40s and 50s), snow remains on the ground and ready for winter activities.
Both Terry Peak and Mystic Miner at Deer Mountain will be open for business by week’s end. Skiiers and snowboarders have been moving in and out of Edge Sports to get their equipment prepped for the new year. Edge Sports also rents equipment, so if you’re planning a trip out here and can’t find room for your own equipment, they got you covered.
Also, if your holiday plans include a trip to Deadwood, we have a gift for you – FREE PARKING! On all metered lots, don’t worry about putting your change in the meter. From Thanksgiving through Christmas Day, there will be no charge at any of these meters.
And if you haven’t yet decided on what to do for your Christmas tree this year, why not make it a Griswold-ish event and cut down your own? Here at the Deadwood Chamber office, we have permits available that allow you to go into the Black Hills National Forest and cut down your own tree! I’m going to take advantage of it this year, and I invite you all to do the same – even if you have to make a trip to Deadwood and bring it home… after all, room rates are as low as $39 in town this winter… just bring some rope to tie the tree to the top of the family truckster.
Hope to see you all soon, and enjoy Thanksgiving!
Lee

Snow has been the word in Deadwood the past couple of weeks — but not because it’s something we aren’t used to — more so because of the amount of snow, and the timing. Early November has, in the past, brought some heavy snow to the area, but it’s always somewhat of a shock. In October, fall gets into swing, nights get cooler, leaves change; then November, weather gets a bit cooler as Mother Nature sets us up for winter. But sometimes, BOOM, winter is thrown upon us.
But anyway, those of us living in the northern Black Hills know it snowed and our backs are finally recovering. And judging by our Webcam hits, there are thousands of others out there that know too, only they just had to click to see, not shovel! But the main story here is what we can do in the snow…
Snowmobiles have started to filter into the area … while state trails don’t open until December, tracks on private land are plentiful and the state trail folks are gearing up their grooming equipment. Ski resorts are making final preparations for the season — Mystic Miner at Deer Mountain and Terry Peak will both open around Thanksgiving.
If you’re looking for a top winter vacation destination, think Deadwood. Rooms in town are as low as $39 — and there are a number of packages available for ski and stay packages — as well as some for snowmobiling, including rental.
Gas prices are the lowest they’ve been in a while, snowy conditions look to stay and there are some great meal and gaming promotions going on throughout town — we’re ready for you!
See you soon.
Lee

Well, last week I wrote of having a feeling we’d be in for a good, snowy winter. And, well, if last week was any indication, we will be in for snowy winter…

Deadwood was smacked with a snowstorm that dropped up to 50 inches in some areas. That’s not a misprint … 50 inches! The town came to a standstill for one day before the crews came out in force to clear paths around town. By Friday, most major arteries in town were opened up, and businesses on Main Street were open. And by Saturday, roads were open, businesses were open, and people from around the area were ready to hit the town. Saturday night was a busy one on the streets of Deadwood as the shops, bars and casinos were bustling.

While some 4 feet of snow did fall last week, temperatures are looking pretty decent this week and some of the snow may melt (SOME), but the ski resorts will have a pretty solid base of snow to start from this year. Both Terry Peak and Mystic Miner at Deer Mountain are slated to open around Thanksgiving.

There has also been a good amount of snowmobile activity over the past couple days. State trails begin being maintained in December, but people are taking advantage of this early-season snow to bust some drifts – and there are some HUGE ones.

So start making plans now! It’s going to be a great winter in Deadwood and the Northern Hills.

Until next time,
Lee

So who’s it going to be? While lines are forming across the nation, with voters patiently waiting to cast their ballots, the scene in Deadwood is not much different. Some local politicians are ready to host celebrations (they hope in victory) this evening at a number of places on Deadwood’s Main Street. It’ll be no Wild Bill Days, but there’s sure to be some excitement in the air.

With the passing of the annual Deadweird and the upcoming holiday season, we here in Deadwood are gearing up for winter recreation. We have our fingers crossed in hopes of a good snow year, and indications are that it will be a snow-filled season. Granted, these “indications” are my personal ones, but I can feel it in the air. And I’m looking to buy a ski pass for the season, so one can only be positive.

I also drove by a state-owned area last week, and saw a line of snow equipment used to groom the snowmobile trails throughout the Black Hills. They were nice and shiny, and ready to go to work. The Black Hills are home to some of the best snowmobile trails in the nation — miles and miles of ‘em. So with that snow comes a mountain of recreational opportunities throughout the Hills, but none more so than right here in Deadwood. We are putting together some great packages for all winter recreation, so keep an eye out for those.

Deadwood doesn’t close in the winter. Do you know that we actually get calls in our office about that? We also get calls asking what time we close. Well, folks, we are as open as ever in the winter, and we never close. I’ll leave it at that!

Until next week,
Lee
www.deadwood.org