A ski resort is coming back to life in South Dakota this year. Unfortunately for locals, while public access will be available as capacity allows, its next life will mostly be as a private real estate community.
The Rapid City Journal spoke with Keating Resources, who plan to reopen Deer Mountain as a private four-season resort. Back in 2021, Keating Resources purchased the property and aimed to reopen in December 2022. But cutting through the red tape was more difficult than expected, according to Gerard Keating, who is the CEO of Keating Resources:
“We had a few false starts because we didn’t understand the challenge of building infrastructure at 6,000-plus feet; it’s much more difficult than anything I’ve ever done. Because of the weather here you really only have a five-month construction season, so it’s very difficult and very expensive.”
So far, lots of money has been spent to get the project off the ground. $3 million was put towards new pipes and a water tower at the summit to supply the ski resort. $5 million was invested to link the Deer Mountain Sanitary District to the local community network. They have also added roads, municipal water, high-speed fiber optic cables, and electricity to the real estate development.
The project will be built out in phases. The first phase will be completed at the end of this year with the mountain biking trails opening in October, and the ski resort is expected to reopen in November. In October of 2024, the west side of the mountain will reopen for mountain biking and then skiing during that winter. In addition, the new clubhouse for members, which will feature a heated pool, spa, and courts for various sports, is scheduled to open in October 2024. The last phase will see the construction of a 92-room hotel at the summit of the mountain.
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While the area will mostly be for the residents and members, Deer Mountain Village says on its website that it’ll be offering public access if capacity allows. This means lift ticket sales for skiing, tubing, and mountain biking are likely, but not guaranteed during peak periods.
Deer Mountain, also known as Mystic Miner, opened back in 1967. It closed in 2017 after financial issues led them into foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings. The mountain features a variety of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain. The main project that’s currently underway at the ski resort is renovations to their two chairlifts, which has cost them $1 million.
During the summertime, the main draw will be their mountain biking park. The initial buildout, which will feature 25 miles of trails, will have a range of difficulties. Bike carriers are also being added to the two chairlifts. The bike park is expected to open in October.
Uriah Steber, who is the owner of Benchmark Trails, is collaborating with Deer Mountain Village on the mountain biking experience. Steber originally tried to buy the property but was beaten out by Keating Resources. After being frustrated about missing out, he decided to team up with Deer Mountain Village:
“It just kind of pissed me off enough that I found out who he was and called him and pitched how my idea could fit in. They hadn’t heard what a bike park was and they loved the idea. That was two years ago and now we’re here.”
In terms of how much it cost to be a member at the Deer Mountain Village, it may be a good time to grab a calculator. A lot of land costs between $300-500k plus an annual assessment fee, with the home needing to be at least 2200 square feet. Then there are the HOA membership fees, which come to $5400 a year. There’s also a Mountain Club fee, which is $15,000 each year, along with an assessment fee. This obviously doesn’t factor in construction costs for building your home. If you don’t want to buy a lot, the initiation fee is $30,000 plus an annual assessment.
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In spite of all these fees, this private club will have one thing going for it. The one strength of living in South Dakota is the lack of taxes. The state has become known as a tax haven for the rich due to not having any income, inheritance, or estate taxes. So while it doesn’t have the terrain like the Yellowstone Club or Wasatch Peaks Ranch, it will have a tax advantage for homeowners. In addition, it’s only a five-minute drive away from Terry Peak, which is another South Dakota ski resort.
Gerard Keating described the potential of Deer Mountian Village to the Rapid City Journal:
“I can’t tell you how many people have told me things like ‘That’s where I learned to ski’ or ‘That’s where I met my wife’ or ‘That’s where we went tubing with Grandpa.’ We are inheriting a lot of goodwill which is very special. And when it is done, this project will be special too.”
Will this succeed? Who knows, but one thing is certain: private ski resorts are on the rise.
Minnesota native Ahmitara Alwal won her first beauty pageant at just four years of age, but it’s the one she participated in most recently that will leave a lasting memory.
Alwal, a 2017 Worthington High School graduate, was crowned Miss South Dakota USA 2024 on May 12 in Watertown, South Dakota.
“It was something I had hoped for but I didn’t think it would happen that night,” Alwal said. “They got to the first runner-up and still hadn’t called my name and I thought, ‘Okay, this is new.’ It was amazing to be standing there and was a powerful moment for us all.”
Since she now lives in South Dakota, Alwal applied this year to represent the state. Upon approval, she got right to work honing her best skills, like public speaking, that make her feel confident. She’s also been mentally and physically training herself to compete, finding things that work for her to put her best foot forward, like eating healthy.
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The Miss South Dakota pageant lasted for a total of two days and needless to say, was a whirlwind for Alwal. She will now advance on to the Miss USA national pageant and represent South Dakota this August in that competition.
“My next steps are to continue to do interviews, be out in the community and make appearances. This really helps me to understand the needs (of the local community),” said Alwal.
She took time to address the stigma around beauty pageants, saying the women who participate are some of the most genuine and compassionate people known to man.
“I think some people just see the beauty of these girls and forget about the character of them,” said Alwal. “But these women will support you endlessly.”
Alwal encourages anyone in the Worthington area or beyond to enter into pageants if interested.
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Applications are currently open and in 2023, the Miss USA pageant changed its eligibility rules to include women who are or have been married, are pregnant, or have children. There is also no age restriction to compete.
“I was once a shy girl who didn’t say much, so I hope young girls see themselves in me and know any obstacle can be overcome,” Alwal said. “If you work hard for yourself, you’ll find something beautiful.”
Hope Moural is the community editor for the Globe as of May 2024. A born and raised Nebraskan, Hope has a dual bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications from Concordia University, Nebraska, and has previously worked as a general assignment reporter.
In this episode we speak with Sean Vanatta who has written “Plastic Capitalism: Banks, Credit Cards, and the End of Financial Control.” Vanatta describes how Citibank and South Dakota changed the credit card industry in the United States. An unconnected series of events that involves the US Supreme Court, the Federal Reserve, the South Dakota Legislature and the national demand for credit cards brings together two very different but desperate entities: the state of South Dakota led by Governor Bill Janklow, and Citibank, a large international New York bank led by President Walter Wriston. Their desperate need for one another changed South Dakota’s economy as well as consumer credit for millions of Americans. It’s all an amazing story of coincidences that’s important to part of South Dakota’s history. For more, the book can be found here: Plastic Capitalism (yale.edu)