60 FALL 2021 ISSUE 01 / VOL . 03 SNOWGOER . COM 61
allowed us to prepare for the late afternoon ride back up to Deadwood . We lunched inside the drafty building while the wind whistled outside and a couple of felines cozied up against the big sliding glass doors trying to absorb some of the sun ’ s heat .
After warming head socks , helmets and gloves near the indoor fireplace and talking to some local riders – one of whom insisted that we return to this region with Summits & RMKs next time to go explore a nearby steep mining area he preferred – we fired the sleds again for the scenic trail ride ( with some off-trail riding on the side ) back to Deadwood , then the less-scenic drive through the night back to Minneapolis .
White Gold , Indeed
Cliché ’ s about “ white gold ” aside , we definitely found our treasure snowmobiling in the Black Hills . Weather patterns here tend to the extremes – big snows are often followed by big warm-ups , so conditions can be excellent one week , marginal the following week and then exceptional again three days after that – so being adaptable in your timetable is key . But when conditions are good in the Black Hills , the area definitely offers world-class snowmobiling , affordable lodging and endearing entertainment .