
143 acres, 45 runs near Jackson. New Hampshire's oldest continuously operating resort, Indy Pass.
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.
Black Mountain spreads 45 runs across 143 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 35%, with 13 beginner runs to find your feet and 16 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
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.
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.
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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.
More Black Mountain intelligence: trail map, snow report, webcams, resort overview.