Spring in the Black Hills
Posted on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Springtime in the Black Hills brings the biggest snows of the year and after waiting about ten years I finally got my chance. The day after the storm, I drove out solo to begin the 1,200-foot hike.
An hour and a half later, I was on top and ready for the best run ever in South Dakota. Even after living in Montana and Utah this run is up in the Top Five!
The top is about 45 degrees and rolls over enough to that you can’t see were you are. The rest of the run is a little less steep but perfect. My first two turns started a slough, but the run opens up after that so that you can open it up and beat the snow. My first run was right down the gut but for my second run I rode the shoulder where most of the snow was deposited by the wind.
I never even thought of an avalanche in SD, but I heard a noise so I pulled off to the side and watched the thing go by. The sound of trees breaking and some rocks getting moved down the mountain was crazy (for SD!)
The Black Hills are not known for the epic snow, but if you can wait a decade for the 24 hour window you wont need to go anywhere else.
Luke Kretschmar is a Cloudveil athlete.
Until you post a photo of snowboarding off of Mt. Rushmore, I dont think you can claim to have boarded in SD. Dab.
Approx where in the Black Hills was this?
This “mountain” is near Sturgis South Dakota. On the edge of the Black Hills.
Gotta Grow where you are planted right? Maybe we need to do a ‘rad SD’ video