Enjoying South Dakota's Winter Wonderland

Effortlessly and silently we gingerly skied down the bluff and onto the wind-blown snow smothering the frozen lake. Around us lay a muted landscape paralyzed by winter’s fury. Ahead our destination beckoned.

The snow was perfect as we focused on the kick and glide motion so natural to cross country skiing. Although we were skiing within sight of my house situated on the tableland above Okobojo Creek, a scant 20 miles north of Pierre, we could just as well been traversing any of the high country lakes that both of us had skied many years ago.

My companion was none other than bicycling visionary Jim Books -- in town for the South Dakota Bicycle Coalition’s Annual Bicycle Summit meeting. Together we have well over 70 years of cross country skiing experience. Yet today was the first time we skied together, and to top it off, we were right in my own back yard. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

According to Wikipedia, “Cross-country skiing (commonly abbreviated XC skiing) is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles.”

That simple definition scarcely scratches the surface of XC skiing. Recreational XC skiing ranges from bushwhacking, using a diagonal stride on waxable or waxless double camber skis, to skating on short slender streamlined affairs using ice-skating movements with double pole plants, to backcountry touring on single camber metal-edged telemark skis. Telemark skis are matched with stiff boots for controlled turns while descending and fixed with synthetic climbing skins for easy ascents. XC ski racing is a different animal requiring incredible aerobic fitness, select gear and technique.

At the time of this writing I have XC skied over 20 times this winter season and all but one have been out my back door. While the nearest groomed XC ski trails are in the Black Hills, the Pierre area provides several opportunities for XC skiing of the bushwhacking variety. On Sunday, January 23, my wife Michele, and nephews Sol and Zach met at Oahe Marina for a XC ski tour along the river and through the campground.

As we left the sheltered confines of the parking area and glided toward the river, the snow changed from powder to a wind-blown crust along the jetty at the river’s edge. Cresting the jetty, a squadron of Mallards erupted off the fast flowing river and Zach, an obsessed middle school-aged hunter with a minor preoccupation with bicycling, called out in sheer ecstasy.

Sol soon took the lead, breaking trail over Black Hills quality snow and looping through the campground and back to the vehicles. Sol’s athleticism showed its youthfulness as he literally ran on his skis leaving a cloud of snow crystals floating in the slanting rays of slowly setting sun.

Meanwhile Michele pointed out a mouse scurrying along over the snow while Zach monitored a hawk flying overhead. Later, when we re-grouped and re-nourished ourselves on bountiful burgers and beverages at the Oahe Marina, Michele noted that they’d seen 3 bald eagles while driving in to the parking area.

These eagles, obviously well habituated to the presence of humans and motorboats, arrive in the fall following the migrating geese and always depart in the spring returning to their northern nesting grounds. Apparently, lack of available forage forces the eagles to disappear each spring. However, one determined pair annually add to a nest along river on LaFramboise Island but have yet to stay and lay eggs.

With a history dating back to prehistoric times, XC skiing provides an inexpensive and enjoyable way to experience winter along the Missouri River. Locations that see XC skiers frequently generally include Hilgers Gulch, LaFramboise and Farm Islands and just about any open snow-covered area in Griffin or Steamboat Park.

Although quality XC ski equipment can be purchased over the internet, to actually handle the gear up close and personal requires a drive to Rapid City or Sioux Falls. Equally, basic information on XC ski equipment can be found on the ‘net at ORS and also at REI.

Since there’s still a lot of winter left, take a walk, er, a glide on the slippery side and come out and join us for some fun. We meet at Oahe Marina every Sunday at 2:00 pm and ski the flats around the campground, sheltered from the wind and with a cup of hot chocolate waiting for us at the restaurant when we’re done. Not only will you have an pleasurable experience you will also be one morevweek closer to spring and biking, fishing and all the other fun outdoor activities we do in the Pierre area.