Black Mountain Reverses Decision; Will Operate This Winter
Erik Mogensen of Indy Ski Pass and Andy Shepard are working to keep the area operational and find a new owner.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Black Mountain (February 2023)
One week to the day after Black Mountain announced its closure, the historic New Hampshire ski area reversed its decision thanks to the intervention of the owner of the Indy Ski Pass.
Following closure announcement, Erik Mogensen of Indy Ski Pass contacted Black Mountain owner John Fichera and began developing a way to keep the area operational while a buyer is found. It is not known who Black Mountain's suitors will be, but a non-profit option is being considered.
Former Saddleback general manager Andy Shepard has been hired by Indy Ski Pass to help with the project. Prior to his time at Saddleback, Shepard managed the Outdoor Sport Institute and the Maine Winter Sports Center, the latter organization operating Big Rock, Black Mountain, and Quoggy Jo ski areas.
Lift service at Black Mountain commenced during the winter of 1935-36. The Fichera family has operated Black Mountain since the ski area's 1995 bankruptcy. The 1,100 vertical foot area features a lift fleet of a 1965 double chairlift, a 1984 triple chairlift, and three surface lifts.
