White gold, more than three feet deep, blankets the Black Hills snow course, according to winter sports enthusiasts.

The latest U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service measurements found more than 9 inches of water in some spots, double the 30-year average.

That is a reversal from 2007, when all the measuring sites were below the average.

The service, based in Newcastle, Wyo., measures 10 upper-elevation sites in January, February and March to help hydrologic engineers estimate spring runoff to Belle Fourche River and area streams and guide water management efforts for Pactola and Angostura reservoirs.

The service reported:

y Blind Park - 36.8 inches of snow, 9.4 inches of water.

y Mallo Camp - 34.6 inches of snow, 8.3 inches of water.

y North Rapid Creek - 33.1 inches of snow, 7.3 inches of water.

y Upper Spearfish - 32.9 inches of snow, 7.3 inches of water.

y Mount Tom - 23.9 inches of snow, 5.3 inches of water.

y Cole Canyon - 23.8 inches of snow, 5.5 inches of water.

y Little Bear Run - 22.3 inches of snow, 5.2 inches of water.

y Ditch Creek - 16.4 inches of snow, 3.3 inches of water.

y Bearlodge Divide - 14.5 inches of snow, 3.5 inches of water.

Data was not available for Reuter Canyon.

Snow ranges from 18 to 24 inches on the Black Hills' 350 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, according to Andy VanDeest of Trailshead Lodge, west of Lead. Off-trail, snow is 2 feet to 4 feet deep. Trailshead Lodge, near O'Neil Pass, has been hosting snowmobilers from Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and other Midwestern states this winter.

"The trails are in great shape. This is probably the best snow we've had in 10 years," VanDeest said.

The November blizzard that dropped nearly four feet of snow laid the base. A steady supply of 5- to 7-inch storms has kept the trails in top condition, according to Shannon Percy, Black Hills trails manager for the state Game Fish & Parks Department.

Black Hills ski resorts report good snow, as well. Terry Peak Ski Area, west of Lead, had a base of 20 to 28 inches as of Friday. Nearby Mystic Miner Ski Resort at Deer Mountain reported up to 39 inches of snow on its trails.