Time to start the Black Hills conditions thread. Just got back from 4 days at Hardy. The internet did not work so this is my first opportunity to post. Groomer training was held Thursday and Friday and I patrolled Saturday and Sunday. The snow has settled to 12-18 inches. Some of the areas North of Trailshead is already getting beat up by the traffic. The areas the groomers did train on left a good base for this early in the year. Right now your best bet is to stay on trails located on FS lands and unplowed roads. Off trail is very risky. Seen quite a few broken trailing arms this weekend. Even following trails on FS lands can be risky in areas that does not have a groomed base. I thought I was on the trail and must of veered too far to the left and found a rock. Now with my new sled not been properly trained or broke it kicked me in the thigh with its handle bar and face planted me in the snow. Of course the sled was not hurt but my inner thigh is one big bruise 1 inches above my knee to 2 inches below my groin. I punished the sled by making it pull out a Subaru stuck on an unplowed road. My sled and I now have an understanding and it will not do that again. I found snow conditions to be good for early December North to Spearfish Canyon and South to Black Fox. Some of the roads South on 1, 8 ,and 11 are still being plowed. Next week I start the pre-season trail inspections which most will have to be done by snowmobile. My new Skidoo e-tech has 26% of breakin after this weekend. I should have it broken in by next weekend. Trygstad Motors was at Trailshead this weekend testing their stuff. I got a chance to ride one of their 927 big bore kit equipped Skidoo's. Very impressive sled.