Terry Peak Ski Area sits in the heart of the Black Hills, minutes from historic Deadwood. From the 7,100-foot summit, the views stretch for miles, and the snow holds up all season long.
Towering at 7,100 feet, the summit of Terry Peak boasts the highest lift-served elevation between the Rocky Mountains and the Alps, delivering expansive views and some of the best snow in the region. Whether our guests are carving groomed runs, exploring freestyle terrain, or enjoying a winter getaway with family and friends, Terry Peak offers them an authentic Black Hills mountain experience for every skill level.
Terry Peak is built so skiers and snowboarders of every ability can share the same mountain. All major lifts meet at the summit, so families and groups can split up and still find each other easily, and a snow carpet serves the beginner area at the base.
Three high-speed detachable quad chairlifts, one fixed-grip triple chairlift, and a convenient snow carpet provide smooth, efficient access across the mountain. All major lifts meet at the summit, making it easy for families and groups to reconnect while exploring Terry Peak’s wide variety of terrain throughout the day.
Three high-speed detachable quad chairlifts, one fixed-grip triple chairlift, and a snow carpet provide smooth, efficient access across the mountain. All major lifts meet at the summit, making it easy for families and groups to reconnect throughout the day.
Located on Snowstorm, the park features an evolving mix of boxes, rails, and progressive jumps designed to challenge riders from beginner to advanced.
Recent infrastructure investments have expanded terrain coverage and pumping capacity, bringing snowmaking to approximately 85% of the mountain. Newly covered trails include Little Hope, Missing Link, Millsite, and Little Phil, helping ensure outstanding conditions all season.
Stewart Lodge, our main base area, has ski and snowboard rentals, the Mountain Shop, and the popular Stewart Bar & Grill. Nevada Gulch Lodge brings nostalgic charm and the famous Dark Horse Saloon, plus daily lift tickets at Freshies’. Rentals and lessons are available only at Stewart.
Just west of Stewart Lodge, our PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) and AASI (American Association of Snowboard Instructors) certified center offers affordable, all-inclusive learn-to-ski and snowboard packages. Private and adaptive lessons are also available for one-on-one coaching.
East of Stewart Lodge, the Guest Services and Administration offices provide information, support, and lost-and-found.
Purchase lift tickets, rentals, and lessons online starting 14 days before arrival. Buying early for Friday through Sunday and holiday tickets offers additional savings.
Terry Peak hosts exciting events and activities for all ages throughout winter. Visit the events calendar for details.
From May through October, Stewart Lodge and its expansive outdoor deck host weddings and special events for up to 200 guests, with a scenic lift ride available to make your day even more memorable.
| AT A GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Season Opens | late November or early December |
| Season Closes | final week of March or into early April |
| Daily Hours | 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Core Season | seven days a week |
During the holiday season, Terry Peak remains open daily to welcome guests during some of winter’s most festive times of year. The resort operates from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day, including major holidays such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Presidents’ Day. This consistent holiday schedule makes Terry Peak a favorite destination for family vacations and winter getaways in the scenic Black Hills.
Terry Peak Ski Area strives to open limited terrain as early in the season as conditions allow, typically beginning in late November or early December, depending on weather and temperature patterns. As snow conditions improve, operations generally expand to seven days a week just before the Christmas holiday period, ensuring reliable access to skiing and snowboarding throughout the core winter season.
The ski season at Terry Peak traditionally runs through the final week of March or into early April, with exact closing dates determined by snowfall totals, weather trends, and spring conditions.
Terry Peak Ski Area traces its roots back to 1938, when the Bald Mountain Ski Club installed a rope tow on Stewart Slope, marking the beginning of organized skiing on the mountain. In those early days, club members groomed the slope manually by skiing back and forth to pack the snow. During this period, Bertha Stewart generously donated the land that became known as Stewart Slope, helping to lay the foundation for today’s ski area.
With the arrival of World War II, many founding members left to serve, including Ed Keene, who joined the 10th Mountain Division. After returning home, he helped launch what would become Black Hills Chairlift Company, the organization behind modern-day Terry Peak.
In 1952, Ed Keene, Ken Keller, Ken Stormo, John Finola, Jack Morcum, and Richard Morcom formally established the Black Hills Chairlift Company. The original Ringer Chairlift was installed on Kussy and initially operated only as a summer scenic ride. By 1954, winter ski operations officially began.
Over the following decades, the mountain steadily expanded. The original Ringer Chairlift was replaced in 1967 by the Blue Chairlift (#1), followed by the Empress Chairlift (#2) in 1975 and the Surprise Chairlift (#3) in 1978. In 1985, two surface Poma lifts on Stewart Slope were replaced by the Stewart Chairlift (#4), and in 1986, a second Blue Chairlift (#5) was added to meet growing demand. By 1996, the Beginner Chairlift was installed to better serve ski school programs and new skiers.
Snowmaking technology became essential in the 1970s due to variable Black Hills winters. In 2002, the resort expanded its water resources by acquiring wells and holding ponds through the Golden Reward mine reclamation, providing over 14 million gallons of storage capacity. Today, snowmaking covers approximately 85% of the mountain, supported by a modern high-capacity system.
The base area also evolved significantly. The original lodge, K-2 Bar, and ski school facilities were replaced in 1988 by the Stewart Day Lodge, which later received a major expansion and sun deck addition in 2001.
A major modernization phase began in 1999, introducing high-speed detachable lifts. The Kussy Express replaced the Blue Chairlifts, followed by the Surprise Express in 2002, dramatically improving uphill capacity and guest experience.
Terrain development continued into the early 2000s with the addition of a half-pipe, the establishment of the Terrain Park on Snowstorm, and the expansion of glades and intermediate-to-expert terrain, including North Side Glades, Ben Hur Glades, Maringo, Missing Link, and Lower Black Moon.
In 2013, a major investment in lift infrastructure replaced the #2 chairlift with a high-speed quad detachable lift and improved summit access through terrain shaping. More recently, a significant 2024 investment modernized the snowmaking system with new piping, hydrants, pumps, and snow guns, greatly increasing efficiency and reliability.
Today, Terry Peak Ski Area stands as South Dakota’s largest ski area, offering more than 25 trails across roughly 600 acres of skiable terrain. With multiple high-speed lifts, a triple chairlift, a snow carpet, and extensive snowmaking coverage, it remains a leading destination for winter recreation in the region and a long-standing hub for skiing and snowboarding in the Black Hills.
