Terry Peak Ski Area Guide

What the mountain is like

Terry Peak calls itself the highest lift-served skiing between the Rockies and the Alps. The numbers from the ski area: a 7,100-foot summit, 1,100 feet of vertical, 30 trails, a terrain park, and four chairlifts (three high-speed quads and a triple) plus a covered Snow Carpet in the beginner area. Snowmaking covers about 85% of the terrain, which matters in the Black Hills, where natural snow comes and goes; our Black Hills weather guide has monthly snowfall.

Indy Pass breaks the terrain down as 17% beginner, 40% intermediate and 43% advanced, and puts average snowfall at about 150 inches. It is a day-trip hill, not a destination resort: two base lodges (Stewart Lodge and Nevada Gulch Lodge), each with a cafeteria and bar, and no slopeside hotel.

When does Terry Peak open?

According to its FAQ, the season generally runs from the first weekend in December through the first Sunday in April, depending on snow. For 2026-27 that window would open around December 5, but that is our reading of the pattern, not an announcement. As of October 22, 2026 the lifts were closed, the season pass sale was running, and no opening date had been posted. Terry Peak announces dates on its website, social accounts and email list.

During the season the hill is open seven days a week, holidays included. Lifts run 9 am to 4 pm, and the rental shop and offices open at 8 am. There is no night skiing.

Terry Peak lift ticket prices

Terry Peak prices day passes like airline seats: the earlier you buy online, the less you pay, and the ticket window always charges the top price. You can buy up to 14 days ahead in the online store, which loads your pass onto a reusable RFID card. These are the prices in Terry Peak's FAQ:

Active-duty military get an adult all-area pass for $55 at the window with ID. Multi-day passes are sold only at the window at full price, so booking each day online is usually cheaper. Indy Pass holders get two lift tickets at Terry Peak per season, per Indy Pass. Prices can change once the 2026-27 store opens, so check before you go.

How to get to Terry Peak

The ski area is at 21120 Stewart Slope Road, Lead, about a mile past Lead off US 85/14A. Turn onto Nevada Gulch Road at the big Terry Peak billboard: Nevada Gulch Lodge is about a mile up, and Stewart Lodge is about two miles further. From Rapid City, Terry Peak's directions send you up I-90 to Exit 30 at Sturgis, then through Boulder Canyon on US 14A to Deadwood and Lead. Our Black Hills distances table has drive times between towns, and check SD511 for road conditions on snow days.

Where to stay for Terry Peak

There is no hotel on the mountain. These are the realistic bases, closest first:

• Lead (5 miles): the closest town, but small. Terry Peak also lists ski-in, ski-out vacation homes on Stewart Slope; see our Black Hills cabins and vacation rentals guide.
• Deadwood (8 miles): the most rooms, many of them in casino hotels, with restaurants and nightlife after the lifts close. This is where most visiting skiers stay. Compare options in our Deadwood hotels guide.
• Spearfish: a college town northwest of Lead with more chain hotels and quieter nights. See Spearfish hotels. The scenic way to the mountain is up Spearfish Canyon on US 14A to Cheyenne Crossing, then US 85 toward Lead.

Planning a whole winter trip? Our Black Hills in December guide covers what else is open, the best time to visit the Black Hills compares the seasons, and things to do in Deadwood fills the evenings.

Terry Peak FAQ

Sources: Terry Peak Ski Area The Mountain, FAQ and directions, and the Indy Pass Terry Peak page, read October 22, 2026. Lift prices are dynamic and the 2026-27 opening date had not been announced, so confirm both before you book.