Despite lack of snow, the trails are open, and riders riding - KOTA Territory News

Despite lack of snow, the trails are open, and riders riding

'Tis the season for snowmobiling in KOTA Territory, and the trails in the Black Hills are officially open.
 
The 350 miles of trails are rated among the top ten trail networks in the nation.

And although it's been rather warm and dry this year, believe it or not there is some snow on the ground in the higher hills, and people are out riding.

Jeremy Van Deest, who's family owns Trailshead Lodge on Highway 85 south of Lead, says even though there is a lack of snow it's not affecting business. "Tough to do anything out here when you depend on Mother Nature to make your money and all that, but you know this time of year, it's always been a little slow, especially before Christmas and what not, but like I said once the Holidays kick in, people will come out."
 
But the itch to get on the trails is coursing through some peoples veins. Van Deest says he's had people calling from as far away as North Dakota and Minnesota asking if there is snow.

Karly Metzinger came all the way from Pierre, and didn't let the lack of snow stop her.
 
"Trails were ride-able, but they were really rocky. The further south you went the better they got, but still hit a rocks the whole way. And if you came to a meadow it was just like grass, they were ride-able though it was fun," says Metzinger.
 
Van Deest says even if they had a ton of snow, business would still be slow.

He says they don't usually see the larger crowds until Christmas and New Years.

Here is the link for the latest trail conditions: http://gfp.sd.gov/to-do/snowmobile/map.aspx