Black Hills Nordic Ski Club

There are multiple snowshoe loops at Big Hill. Generally, the two most accessible trails are track packed for easier use and navigation. Please do not walk on the nordic ski trails. The damage can be very hard to remove depending on conditions. Please donate if using the snowshoe trails as we spend significant time, miles, and fuel track packing the trails.

Snowshoe Trail Descriptions

Snowshoe Loop- This is a 1 mile loop that leaves from the warming hut, then parallels east along the test plot fence. Dropping down the hill, you reach the intersection that can take you around the Snowshoe Connector (right turn) or back up towards the warming hut (left turn). You will have to climb back out either way, so be prepared. The snowshoe trail ties into the fat bike trail which then leads you back to the warming hut. This route is usually track packed.

Snowshoe Connector- If you take a right at the bottom of the snowshoe route, you will travel on the snowshoe connector. This takes you near the lower A Loop intersection, then up "old" A Loop. You can cut across the meadow to B Loop in two spots. You'll climb the hill back to the upper A intersection area, then to the meadow and warming hut. This route is usually track packed.

B Loop- This is a steep, climbing loop that ties into the Snowshoe Connector. This is ungroomed with deep snow. Only seasonsed snow shoers should attempt this loop.

Warning — Assumption of Risk
Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing Are Hazardous Activities

Big Hill Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Trails are groomed by the Black Hills Nordic Ski Club, a nonprofit organization, under a Special Use Permit issued by the USDA Forest Service. Trails cross public land and are open to the public for recreational use free of charge, regardless of club membership status.

By entering this trail system, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and related winter trail activities carry inherent risks of injury, including but not limited to:

Variable and changing snow, ice, and weather conditions
Ungroomed sections, natural terrain features, and unmarked hazards (trees, stumps, rocks, holes, drop-offs)
Grooming equipment, snowmobiles, and other vehicles that may be operating on or crossing trails, sometimes with limited visibility
Wildlife encounters
Collisions with other trail users
Remote location, with limited or no cell phone coverage and delayed emergency response times
Your own physical condition, ability, and equipment

You assume full responsibility for your own safety. Ski or snowshoe within your ability, control your speed, keep a proper lookout, yield to grooming equipment, stay off ski-set tracks when snowshoeing, and follow all posted signage. Children should be supervised by a responsible adult.

Consistent with South Dakota law governing free public recreational use of land, Black Hills Nordic Ski Club, its volunteers, officers, and directors, and the United States Forest Service owe no duty to make these trails safe for use by skiers, snowshoers, or other trail users, and no duty to warn of dangerous conditions. By entering and using Big Hill Trails, you agree to assume all risk and to hold harmless Black Hills Nordic Ski Club and its volunteers, officers, and directors from any and all liability for injury, death, or property loss arising from your use of this trail system, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

No warranty is made regarding trail conditions, grooming, or maintenance.

In an emergency, call 911.
Nearest access point: Big Hill Trailhead, Tinton Road