As winter settles in across the state, we have to admit that we’re not looking forward to shivering in the bitter cold and spending the morning shoveling our driveways. But every time we think we’ll just pack up and move to Hawaii, we realize that there are many things we’d miss about winter in South Dakota.
- The snowy landscape.
Roderick Eime/flickr Whether you’re enjoying the prairie or the mountains, snow turns South Dakota into a winter wonderland.
- Ice fishing as the sun rises.
USFWS Mountain Praire/flickr There’s nothing like catching the perfect sunrise while you’re huddled in a shelter on an icy lake, waiting to catch a fish.
- Our little towns look so cozy in the winter.
Historic Deadwood/Facebook When the homes and businesses are all lit from inside, everything looks cozy and warm.
- Ice skating at Main Street Square.
Joe Wolf/flickr We can’t imagine a winter without at least one trip to Rapid City to skate under the stars.
- Snowmobiling across South Dakota.
Trailshead Lodge/Facebook Sure, you can go snowmobiling in other places. But riding in South Dakota is an experience you can’t have elsewhere. You’ll find well over 1,000 miles of trails here, from the prairie to the Black Hills.
- Pheasant hunting from October to January.
Bill Bereza/flickr In South Dakota, some towns celebrate the hunt like nowhere else. How could we miss the community spirit that surrounds the pheasant hunt?
- Tubing at Great Bear Ski Valley.
Great Bear Ski Valley/Facebook There’s nothing like flying down the hills on a tube.
- Diving into a heaping serving of hotdish.
punctuated/flickr Winter in South Dakota means cold air and comfort food.
- Solitude in the tourist spots.
katie wheeler/flickr After the tourists leave, South Dakotans enjoy the solitude at the state and national parks during the winter.
What are your favorite things about winter in South Dakota?
Roderick Eime/flickr
Whether you’re enjoying the prairie or the mountains, snow turns South Dakota into a winter wonderland.
USFWS Mountain Praire/flickr
There’s nothing like catching the perfect sunrise while you’re huddled in a shelter on an icy lake, waiting to catch a fish.
Historic Deadwood/Facebook
When the homes and businesses are all lit from inside, everything looks cozy and warm.
Joe Wolf/flickr
We can’t imagine a winter without at least one trip to Rapid City to skate under the stars.
Trailshead Lodge/Facebook
Sure, you can go snowmobiling in other places. But riding in South Dakota is an experience you can’t have elsewhere. You’ll find well over 1,000 miles of trails here, from the prairie to the Black Hills.
Bill Bereza/flickr
In South Dakota, some towns celebrate the hunt like nowhere else. How could we miss the community spirit that surrounds the pheasant hunt?
Great Bear Ski Valley/Facebook
There’s nothing like flying down the hills on a tube.
punctuated/flickr
Winter in South Dakota means cold air and comfort food.
katie wheeler/flickr
After the tourists leave, South Dakotans enjoy the solitude at the state and national parks during the winter.
If you’re ready to get out and explore South Dakota this season, visit Farm Island – it’s unbelievably beautiful in the winter.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.