I’ll probably get hate mail for this blog post. I can hear it now. “What are you doing dreaming away this beautiful fall!?” I’ve prepared myself for the backlash and it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

So, I’ll say it loud and clear – I’m almost ready for snow!

Almost.

Today, I went up to one of the local ski hills – just outside of Lead – and got my season pass. As soon as the little plastic card with my picture on it spit out of the magical season pass-making machine, visions of the winter sports season began to dance in my head.

Light, fresh powdery snow. Cold, pine-scented Black Hills air. Newly waxed and sharpened skis. Quietly gliding downhill with nothing but natural beauty surrounding me. A refreshing brew in the lodge after several perfect runs. I want to ski. Real bad!

Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m loving this year’s fall weather that’s been going on here in the Black Hills. I’ve been able to get out and enjoy it quite a bit. It’s been a fantastic fall with warm temperatures, sunny days and incredible colors. And from the sounds of the local weather forecasters, the weather is going to continue to be very “fall-like” for a while yet.

And that’s good – because whether I want snow or not, I won’t really have the option of skiing for a while anyway. You see, the ski hills – Terry Peak and Mystic Miner at Deer Mountain – typically don’t open until Thanksgiving weekend. So, I guess the weather might as well be more moderate until that time comes.

Even though we can’t go skiing or snowboarding just yet – it is, however – a great time to snag a season pass from either of the local areas. Both Mystic Miner and Terry Peak are currently running half-price season pass specials through the month of October. If you plan to get out on the snow more than a handful of times this winter, the half price pre-season pass sales are pretty good deals.

I’ll tuck my newly acquired season ski pass away for a few more weeks and enjoy the remaining beauty of the fall season. But, in the back of my mind I’ll still be dreaming of the fluffy stuff falling softly from the sky. Soon, but not too soon.