Deer Mountain Ski Area Reviews

• Overall Rating 4
• Family Friendly 5
• Downhill Terrain 3
• Terrain Park 3
• Nightlife 5

Pros: Inexpensive, uncrowded, friendly, competent staff

Cons: Small, Not to challenging for the expert

Recommended Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Recommended For: Single/Newlyweds
Date Visited: Dec, 2008

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Full review

Located in South Dakota's Black Hills the former Deer Mountain was sold this last summer and was renamed "Mystic Miner Ski Resort at Deer Mountain". Sorry guys it will always be just plain "Deer Mountain" to me. The resort is a better place this year. So far most of the improvements are service related. When you walk in the lodge there seems to be a feeling of friendliness in the air. The staff seems genuinely happy that you are there. The food service is much better this year too. No more getting your burger and fries from under the heat lamps, all orders are cooked fresh, it tastes good, and is not terribly expensive. The new Mystic Miner website is a vast improvement, I love the photo gallery and virtual rides. The one thing missing is a trail map, there is not one on the website and even though I asked there were not any available in the lodge. For now the facilities are pretty much the same. There have been no changes to the slopes and lifts. They have been blessed with a lot of snow this year and the runs are good. This is a great place to bring your family. My non-skiing wife likes the fact that the bunny slope is right in front of the lodge and she can watch the kids while she sits and reads. I like the fact that new skiers do not need to be good at stopping, there is a nice flat area where all the front side runs end and you will stop with little effort from the skier. On the front side there is a Poma lift and a triple chair. I have never been a big fan of Poma's but they are simple. Nightlife: world famous Deadwood with is casinos is about 8 miles away, while the more metropolitan Rapid City is about 50 miles away. Both towns have plenty of restaurants, rooms, entertainment, and shopping. Lodging: unlike most ski areas the Black Hills are primarily a summer destination so in the winter lodging is abundant and inexpensive, rooms can be had for less than $50 per night. Lift tickets are economical as an all area day ticket is just $39. Although the expert will become bored here this is a great place for the rest of us, I will be back.