01/04/2026
A new venture ...
After almost 44 years of being part of the community first as a Cross Country Ski Resort and then as gathering, lodging and retreat place for families, church groups, couples and individuals ... we are venturing additionally into a slightly new realm. We are still trying to get the lodge up and running again as a lodging and gathering place and in addition, we are continuing to offering our cabins for rentals as we have for many years. The lodge is under a slow renovation with the year of completion unknown.
We are happy to announce our pursuit of an idea that we have had for many years. We hope to build a small cabin called David's Refuge.
The Idea of "David’s Refuge"
In the early 1980’s, our father, grandfather and great grandfather, David Maas, had so many dreams about developing the beautiful and special property named Pleasant Valley. He had recently purchased this wooded valley, and we (Steve and Sharon Maas) had moved back to this area to live and to help him with his dreams.
For many years we as an extended family, developed and maintained Pleasant Valley as a Cross-Country Ski Resort and Retreat Center with lodging and trails, as a year-around facility for families and groups. The skiing facet was set aside many years ago, but the lodging business has continued for over 45 years with our cabins. The Lodge has been closed down since 2017. David passed away in 2015, but his dream lives on in different ways with Pleasant Valley, as we have never stopped hosting people for lodging, reflection, and to encourage the soulful enjoyment of the valley’s natural and varied beauty and solitude.
One of David’s great aspirations and ours’ as a family, was and is… to share this place with as many people as possible, as a place to appreciate God’s beauty and connect with Him in some way. Our family, now in its fourth generation of involvement with Pleasant Valley, all share this same dream.
We have had for many years had cabins in the wooded valley available for lodging for individuals, couples and families. Yet, one aspect of our dreams remains unfulfilled. A basic rustic cabin, available for any person or persons, without any charge, if they are desiring and searching for a deeper relationship with God. This idea is ancient, but also current, in the idea of a hermitage retreat for the soul. Our current dream and desire is to build a rustic cabin called “David’s Refuge” which will be a simple one room cabin with, books, a bed and a chair and a desk. The cabin’s name comes both from the legacy of David in the Bible, who sought the Lord and His peace in the “green pastures and quiet waters” and from David our father and grandfather, who found refuge and peace at Pleasant Valley. The cabin will be basic, simple, and dedicated as a place to come and find a refreshing of the soul. Any person or persons who stay here will be asked to not bring any electronic devices, including phones and computers. The David’s Refuge Hermitage Cabin will be open for three seasons, Spring, Summer and Fall. It will have no heat or air-conditioning, just a simple lamp as it is completely basic and rustic.
So here is the deal. We are asking for two things, from those that see this new cabin, as a valuable addition to our Pleasant Valley facilities. We, as family and friends of Pleasant Valley, are looking for monetary donations of any kind to help is build this small cabin (130 – 150 square foot) and we are looking for volunteers to help construct this small cabin. Bathroom facilities are accessed by an outside door on the nearby Brookside Cabin. We are a small family business and not a non-profit entity, so any monetary gifts, will not be tax deductible. If you are moved in your heart to support us in helping us build and establish the “David’s Refuge” cabin, it will be much appreciated by our family. Your support will encourage others and may help someone find their way in a broken world. Please know, we deeply appreciate it and we say a sincere “Thank You.” PM me directly.
Steven Maas and All The Maas Families, Pleasant Valley, 18278 SD Hwy 22, Gary, SD 57237 – 605-881-9024
Our "GoFundMe" Link
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-build-davids-refuge-at-pleasant-valley
