
Black Mountain
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 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.
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.
Hotels and lodges near Black Mountain, powered by Stay22.

The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.

A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.

Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.

Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.

Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.

Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.

Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.

Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
More Black Mountain intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.