When snow settles on the pines, the hills trade hiking boots for skis and snowshoes. South Dakota keeps its best rewards for those willing to leave the pavement behind.

Groomed cross-country trails lace the forests around Deadwood and Lead.

What sets it apart

Terry Peak offers downhill skiing with views deep into the hills. Small as it sounds, it is exactly the sort of thing that defines the experience on the ground.

Snowmobile trails connect towns across hundreds of miles of forest.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern plains and the people drawn to them. Come prepared, respect the land, and South Dakota's wild country will give back in kind.