Some notes on surviving winter in the Black Hills

I wrote this to pump myself up for winter. 

True, it’s still technically autumn. But we all know it’s been winter in the Black Hills since, um, September. We can complain about the weather, or we can do something about it! Hmm. OK, maybe we can’t do anything about it. A wise man once said, “The best thing to do when it snows is to let it snow.” So let it snow. And let’s enjoy our winter wonderland — the Black Hills!

Most of the tourists have gone back to their jobs and schoolwork, and the snowbirds have flocked to their warm winter playgrounds. Our streets are often barren and sidewalks often icy. Most shops are closed — but not all. Some may simply have reduced hours. And you can browse at your own pace. In fact, you can do nearly everything at your own pace. I took a jaunt down Spearfish Canyon recently, and it was a calm and relaxing drive. It was nearly perfect, as there was next to no traffic. If you don’t like being rushed through places, now is the time to get out and do it.

I read Black Elk Peak sees only about 3,000 hikers between November and March. Well, there are good reasons for that, but if you’re intrepid or just like your space, it’s the perfect time to hike one of the trails to the top. I personally do not advise that, but to each his own. After all, you may give the Search and Rescue folks some practice. 

Curious, I decided to look up things to do in the Black Hills in the winter. Most of those things are things you can do anywhere in the winter, such as “make a snowman,” or “throw snowballs,” or “go skiing,” which is all fine and dandy, but that’s all stuff where you’re freezing your butt outside. 

There are plenty of things to do inside, too. You can visit a casino (whether or not to gamble is up to you). You can take in a movie. Explore culinary offerings you couldn’t get near because of the crowds in the summer. There are wineries and breweries and they all have food to go along with their drinks. 

Or you can pack up the kids and go to the mall. Even if you don’t need anything, it’s nice to be in a festive and lively atmosphere — and warm inside. Rushmore Mall is one of the happiest malls I’ve seen, too. I’ve seen malls dying all over the country, but Rushmore Mall remains fairly vibrant. Heck, some people go to the mall just to walk around. It’s nice. And free. Unless you get snared in the food court.

If you really must be outside, the hiking trails will be less crowded but may be a mess. Off the beaten path, the snow may get deep and who knows what kind of deadfall lurks, waiting to trip you. Still, I’ll be out there. It’s hunting season. Pick one. I probably have a license. Or I applied for it. Even if I don’t get anything, it’s nice to take a stroll through the hills and vales and take in the unique sights of winter in the Black Hills. 

What’s that? You’d rather spend your winter near the warmth of a fire? How about a sort of neo-pagan ritual that involves burning a giant effigy of a bark beetle? We have that, too, in Custer. The Burning Beetle is, perhaps, the perfect way to warm up on what is sure to be a chilly Jan. 18 evening. 

Our parks are still accessible this time of year. Take a drive through one. See how the look of the landscape changes as the shadows lengthen. Wonder at the animals that somehow survive through the same weather but without the solace of a warm home. Marvel at the sunrises and sunsets that seem more expansive than usual. And when night comes, look up at those bright stars twinkling in the clear air. For a moment, it’s almost like they all belong to you. Except they all belong to me. But I'll share.

You can only bake so many cookies and watch so much TV before you have to get out. 

So get out. I’ll see you out there.