Travel west, have fun, save as you ‘Head for the Hills’

This paid piece is sponsored by Travel South Dakota.

A change of scenery, indoor/outdoor fun and budget-friendly destinations are waiting with a trip to the Black Hills this winter.

Memorable adventures, cultural experiences and snow-filled recreation are an easy road trip away, and with the Travel South Dakota Head for the Hills Passport, you’ll easily connect with unique destinations and ways to save.

Check in along the way and earn points toward great prizes, from a stuffed buffalo toy all the way up to an ENO hammock or South Dakota backpack.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll discover along the way.

Terry Peak Ski Area, Lead

Skiing in the Black Hills has become a family tradition for many people, said Linda Derosier, marketing director for Terry Peak Ski Area.

“People come here looking to have a great time with their family in the snow, building bonds and memories,” Derosier said. The ski area opened in 1954 and has been serving families ever since.

The ski area offers full service – including on-site restaurants, a lodge, equipment rentals and lift tickets, as well as lessons.

“Hopefully, we’ll have some great snow, and our lifts open at 9 a.m. daily,” Derosier said. “Guests will find pristinely groomed surfaces on most of the slopes each morning, and we have three high-speed quad chair lifts.”

Plus, kids can ride the snow carpet, which has a tunnel over it, up the beginner slope.

The ski area features 29 runs and is open seven days a week, including holidays. Derosier recommends that guests purchase lessons, lift tickets and rentals online ahead of their visit, which means less time standing in line and more time skiing and hanging out.

“Lesson packages are quite popular,” Derosier said. “We have a great and affordable ski school and packages that teach kids and adults to learn to ski and snowboard. They are very affordable and inclusive. The best way to get those is to lock them in and book them online.”

The ski area has two lodges. The main lodge features a cafeteria, bar, rental and retail shops, and ticket sales. The Dark Horse Saloon is a smaller lodge popular with the locals and the après-ski crowd.

And when you’re done skiing? Check out Deadwood and Lead nearby, she said.

“There’s lots of nightlife and plenty of lodging near us,” Derosier said. “Once our ski season gets rolling, our music series begins.”

Every Saturday for six weeks, Terry Peak features a band in one of the bars in the afternoon.

“That’s a really popular event,” she said.

For information and new snow and grooming reports, check the website.

The Journey Museum, Rapid City

The perfect place to begin a visit to the Black Hills is The Journey Museum, said executive director Conor McMahon.

“We are the only museum that tells the whole story of the Black Hills under one roof,” he said. “You will travel through 1.5 billion years of history and learn the science, history and culture of the Black Hills.”

The museum has everything from archaeology and paleontology to pioneer history and Lakota culture.

“Visitors can learn about the formation of the Black Hills and the rocks and the earliest forms of life in the region – and they can see our T. rex as the state fossil,” McMahon said.

The archaeology section goes through the first people in the area, including artifacts.

“Our largest section is our Lakota gallery, and we have world-class examples of art and craftwork done by Lakota people, including beadwork and quillwork,” McMahon said. “Some of those pieces are more than 200 years old, and some are 10 years old. We have a nice mix of historic and contemporary arts and crafts.”

The pioneer section of the museum talks about homesteading and the settlement of Rapid City, and contemporary history, McMahon said.

“The museum itself is 50,000 square feet, and we always recommend people give themselves a few hours to visit, though you could easily spend a full day here,” he said.

McMahon said a can’t-miss piece is the painted teepee. “It was painted by Martin Red Bear just a few years ago, but he based it on a traditional and historic teepee form that has been created by Lakota people for centuries.”

It’s a battle teepee, with 50 mounted warriors riding the perimeter of the teepee. “At first glance, it looks very traditional, but then you see each rider carries a shield, and each shield has a battalion crest from the U.S. Armed Forces,” he said, noting that Red Bear is a Vietnam veteran.

“We also have an incredible collection of paintings done by Grace French, who was an early artist in Rapid City,” he said.

The Journey Museum also features various films in its theater – about Lakota star knowledge, bison and a film about the Black Hills. It also has a variety of temporary exhibits and STEAM Saturdays, which are hands-on educational programs for kids. Those are included with admission and free to members of the museum.

“We are the largest museum in the Black Hills region, and we really offer something for everyone, no matter what your interest or age is,” McMahon said.

Bonus: Save $1 off admission with the Head for the Hills Passport.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 

Holiday Express 1880 Train, Hill City

The traditional favorite 1880 Train takes on a new twist for the holiday season.

Taryn Olsen calls the Holiday Express 1880 Train an experience that’s perfect for all ages.

“Whether you’re an adult couple or coming out with family and friends, it’s good for everybody,” said Olsen, the attraction’s special events coordinator. “It’s a unique thing to do in the Black Hills.”

The train is a diesel engine, which she said is cool to see operate.

And during the holidays, the whole depot is festively decorated. Guests take a one-hour trip to the North Pole, which includes a sugar cookie, hot chocolate and a candy cane. Kids receive a bell and a visit from Santa, whom they pick up at the North Pole.

On the return trip, he visits kids in the train cars.

“All the kids’ faces light up,” Olsen said.

If you’re an older holiday fan, you can get a “spiked” option, which includes schnapps in the hot chocolate.

Visiting the Black Hills after Christmas? You can still capture a bit of the holiday magic with the Winter Express, which offers regular and spiked options for after-Christmas fun.

The “Santa Has Gone Fishin’” winter train ride is a one-hour, round-trip journey from Hill City to the North Pole. Passengers will receive hot chocolate, a sugar cookie, candy cane, and kids will receive a small bell to ring in the New Year!

This is the 1th year of the holiday train, but the train has been operating since 1957. Olsen said booking online is best, and the 4:15 p.m. train fill up the fastest. Having trouble? Just call, and they’ll help you find a date and time that works.

“It’s a fun experience, and a unique way to see the Hills,” she said.

You can visit the website here.

Black Hills Escape Rooms, Rapid City

Looking for a challenge on your family vacation? Try the Black Hills Escape Rooms.

With themes from Old West saloon to haunted Deadwood, the games are perfect for the Black Hills to add a little bit of a challenge to your trip.

They’re ranked by difficulty, so you can pick the perfect one depending on how confident you are. Up for the biggest challenge? It’s aliens at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

It takes about an hour to solve a puzzle – but you can have a little extra time if you need it. Guests can register online.

Bonus: Save 15 percent with the Head for the Hills Passport.

The escape rooms are open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day, with special holiday hours. You can find out more online.

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark, Rapid City

Is it possible to have a family vacation without a trip to an indoor water park? Maybe – but it won’t be as fun!

With fun for everyone in the family, the WaTiki Indoor Waterpark is the perfect place to escape winter weather and run around. The park has more than 30,000 square feet of swimming pools and waterslides – and is the largest indoor water park in the Dakotas.

The complex has five hotels, several restaurants and a huge arcade.

And the best part? It’s a warm 84 degrees inside at all times.

If you’re there before Christmas, you likely can snag a photo with Santa. Or if your travels will take you west in January, check out WaTiki After Dark on Jan. 17, starting at 10 p.m. It’s for those age 21 and older and includes waterpark fun and a DJ.

Bonus: Buy one general admission pass, get one half-off with the Head for the Hills Passport.

You can book a visit, look for special holiday and weekend events and plan a family trip here.