Black Mountain
143 acres, 45 runs near Jackson. New Hampshire's oldest continuously operating resort, Indy Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
15 Nov 2026
Closes
2 May 2027
Days open
168
Annual snow
125in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Black Mountain's summit reaches 2,350 feet, dropping roughly 1,100 vertical feet to a base at 1,250 feet across 45 runs spread over 143 acres near Jackson in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Terrain splits 35 per cent intermediate, 29 per cent beginner, 23 per cent advanced and 13 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 125 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Four lifts, including one double chair and one triple chair, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift and two t-bars.
Black Mountain holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating ski area in New Hampshire, a genuinely rare heritage among the state's resorts. Its affordable, unpretentious character and spectacular Presidential Range views have earned it a loyal following among skiers seeking an authentic alternative to the region's larger destination resorts.
The Civilian Conservation Corps cut the mountain's first ski trail in 1934, and the area, then known as Moody's, opened its trails in 1935. Owner Edwin Moody built the Goodrich Falls Hydroelectric Plant on the Ellis River that same year to power the resort's lift and lodge, and Moody and local inventor George Morton constructed one of the first ski lifts in New Hampshire. In 1936, H. Holland and Helen Whitney purchased the area, renaming it Whitney's and installing the Shovel Handle, later known as the J-Bar, the first overhead cable lift in the country, before adding one of New England's first snowmaking systems in 1957.
John Fichera and his family operated Black Mountain independently from 1995, working to keep the resort open, affordable and accessible. In March 2026, plans for a community cooperative purchase were halted when the resort was instead purchased by general manager Erik Mogensen. Adult daily tickets run from 65 to 85 US dollars, with children aged 5 and under skiing free.
1,099ft
Vertical
45
Runs
143 acres
Skiable
125in
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
45 runs across 143 acres skiable
Black Mountain is a small, old-school hill near Jackson, New Hampshire, with 45 runs over 143 acres (58 hectares). It climbs from about 1,250 ft (381 m) to 2,350 ft (716 m), a vertical of 1,100 ft (335 m). Terrain splits 29% beginner, 35% intermediate, 23% advanced and 13% expert, a more rounded mix than its size suggests. Snowfall averages around 125 inches a year, healthy for the White Mountains. Lift lines stay short, and the whole mountain is easy to learn in a day while still rewarding repeat visits.
Whitney's Slope, where skiing began in 1935, is the historic heart of the mountain, and Lower Black Beauty is another named run worth finding. Black Forest and the other glades give stronger skiers somewhere to hunt, with expert-level tree skiing available despite the modest footprint. Gentler slopes keep first-timers comfortable. Honest scale is the point here: you get character rather than mileage. Black Mountain suits families, budget-minded skiers and anyone chasing traditional New England skiing, while Wildcat, a short drive away, is the pick for bigger vertical.
Terrain split
45
runs
45 runs across 4 grades
Beginner13 runs · 29%
Intermediate16 runs · 35%
Advanced10 runs · 23%
Expert6 runs · 13%
Time it right
When to visit Black Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Black Mountain ran from 13 December 2025 to 25 April 2026, a considerably long season for a resort of its scale, supported by average annual snowfall of around 125 inches. This extended season length reflects Black Mountain's commitment to maximising ski days for its loyal, value-conscious visitor base.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the mountain's varied terrain, spanning beginner through expert-rated runs. As an Indy Pass resort, Black Mountain draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass alongside its core regional White Mountains visitor base drawn to its affordable, authentic character.
Given Black Mountain's status as New Hampshire's oldest continuously operating ski area, the resort attracts visitors specifically seeking its historic charm and spectacular Presidential Range views, a contrast to the larger, more developed resorts nearby. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's substantial beginner and intermediate terrain and free access for children aged 5 and under.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Following the March 2026 purchase by general manager Erik Mogensen, after decades of Fichera family ownership since 1995, Black Mountain continues its long tradition of independent, community-focused operation. The resort's nine-decade history remains central to its seasonal identity.
Season 2026 - 2027
15 Nov 2026
Opens
2 May 2027
Closes
168
Days open
125 in
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Black Mountain, and where to stay
Black Mountain sits near Jackson in New Hampshire's White Mountains, with a base elevation of 1,250 feet and a summit at 2,350 feet across a roughly 1,100-foot vertical drop over 143 acres. This setting places the resort within one of New England's most scenic mountain regions, with spectacular views toward the Presidential Range.
Jackson, a picturesque White Mountains village, provides local lodging, dining and covered-bridge charm within a short drive of the resort. Nearby North Conway offers more extensive shopping and services, giving visitors a range of options within the broader Mount Washington Valley region.
Local roads connect Jackson directly to the resort, a short drive from the village. Winter driving conditions in this White Mountains setting can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled routes are regularly maintained given the region's popularity as a ski destination. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Specific nearest commercial airport details are not confirmed in available resort information, though Black Mountain's White Mountains location keeps it within a reasonable drive of the greater Boston metropolitan area's major airports for visitors travelling from further afield.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Black Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
Winter has officially started in North America, and it is one blue run long. On Wednesday 28 October, Arapahoe Basin fired up the Black Mountain Express at around 10:30 am after a surprise announcement just hours earlier, becoming the first major North American resort open for 2026/27. Cold nights, a dusting of natural snow and a lot of snowmaking made it happen in the resort’s 80th winter. More terrain is promised as the snow guns keep running.
28 Oct 2026
Sulden am Ortler Pushes Its Season Start Back a Week to 7 November
Sulden am Ortler has called off its 31 October opening. The South Tyrol ski area has pushed its 2026/27 start back to Saturday 7 November, citing current weather and snow conditions and saying it will use the extra week to get the slopes in the best possible shape. The season is still scheduled to run through 2 May 2027. Elsewhere in Europe, around a dozen areas are already open, led by Sölden’s 30 kilometres of groomed runs.
28 Oct 2026
Pinheiro Braathen Wins Sölden Giant Slalom Opener by 0.48 Seconds
Two days at Sölden, two races decided by a hundredth somewhere on the podium, and one very quick Brazilian. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen led from the first run to win the men’s World Cup opener by 0.48 seconds, with Loïc Meillard second and Marco Odermatt third. River Radamus charged from 15th to fourth on a rutted course, and Britain’s Freddy Carrick-Smith banked his first World Cup points. Braathen still hasn’t lost a giant slalom since Olympic gold.
25 Oct 2026
Alps Snow Forecast: Up to 64 cm Headed for the High Glaciers as the Snow Line Drops
The Alps are about to swap mild, sunny October weather for something far more wintry. A cold front arrives Tuesday, and SnowStash forecasts have Monterosa Ski out in front with 64 cm over 14 days, ahead of Blatten Belalp (55 cm) and Verbier (43 cm). The snow line should fall below 2000 metres by Wednesday night, and glaciers across Switzerland, Italy and Austria are in line for the best of it. The wind will have a say too.
20 Oct 2026
Four Dead After Avalanche Near Ski Portillo in Chile
A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.
18 Oct 2026
Black Mountain Lift System
Black Mountain runs four lifts: one double chair and one triple chair, serving 45 runs across 143 acres near Jackson, alongside one surface lift and two t-bars. This lean lift network reflects the resort's identity as an affordable, unpretentious mountain rather than a high-throughput destination operation.
The resort's lift history stretches back further than any other in New Hampshire, beginning with one of the state's first ski lifts, built by founder Edwin Moody and local inventor George Morton in 1935 and powered by the purpose-built Goodrich Falls Hydroelectric Plant. Following the 1936 purchase by H. Holland and Helen Whitney, the Shovel Handle, later the J-Bar, became the first overhead cable lift built anywhere in the country.
This pioneering lift heritage gave way over subsequent decades to the double chair, triple chair and t-bars that now serve the mountain, alongside one of New England's earliest snowmaking systems, added to the Whitney slope in 1957. This early investment in snowmaking infrastructure reflected the resort's long-standing commitment to reliable conditions.
Under John Fichera and his family's ownership since 1995, and now under general manager Erik Mogensen following the March 2026 purchase, Black Mountain has continued operating this compact four-lift network. Specific recent individual lift replacement projects beyond this ownership transition are not confirmed in available resort information. The resort's lift infrastructure remains modest by design, consistent with its affordable, community-focused character.
5lifts across 4 types
1
Triple Chair
1
Double Chair
2
T-Bars
1
Surface Lift
Black Mountain lift system
Black Mountain is served by 5 lifts, listed here by type. Check which lifts are turning against the live conditions before you plan your first laps - early lifts and high-speed chairs get you to the best snow fastest.
More Black Mountain intelligence: trail map, snow report, webcams, resort overview.