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A 60-year-old NH ski area is bought by close friends who grew up skiing there
The mountain opens for the season Dec. 5.
A group of close friends who met as children skiing on a New Hampshire mountain have now purchased it.
Ragged Mountain in Danbury, N.H., which just celebrated its 60th anniversary, went on the market in March after owner Doug Anderson stepped back from the ski industry. New owner SF Mountain Co, LLC (SFMC) bought it last week for $6.4 million, according to New England Ski Industry. The group includes Carl Rominger, Tristan Whitman, Seth Offen, Mike Kettenbach, Josh Larkin, and Bill Morrison.
“The new owners, many of whom first met as kids skiing Ragged’s slopes, have pledged to preserve the resort’s character while investing in its future as a year-round mountain destination,” according to a statement on the Ragged website.
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Ragged’s owners have “deep ties” to Danbury and the region and are experienced professionals from across the outdoor industry and business world, according to the announcement.
“Ragged shaped our lives in a really personal way,” said Whitman, in a statement.
“Ragged has always been more than a ski area — it’s been a community,” said Rominger, in a statement. “We’re committed to building on what makes this place special — great skiing, great people, and a genuine New Hampshire mountain experience.”
Located less than two hours from Boston, Ragged bills itself as “New Hampshire’s best kept secret for skiing.” The ski area has a vertical drop of 1,250 feet, 57 trails, five lifts, and 250 skiable acres. Last season was a record-breaking one for the mountain, with more than 100,000 skier visits.
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Previous owner Anderson, former chairman of Pacific Group Resorts (PGR), which owns Jay Peak, purchased the resort in 2007. PGR, which has been managing ski operations at Ragged, is ending its management role but will assist with the transition through the start of the 2025–26 ski season, according to the announcement.
“Ragged has come a long way in the last 18 years, and I’m proud of what we’ve built with our team,” said General Manager Erik Barnes, who will continue in his role. “This transition brings in a group that deeply understands the mountain and the community around it, and I’m looking forward to helping carry that vision forward.”
Early priorities at Ragged for the new leadership include employee retention, local partnerships, and exploring options for year-round mountain use.
Officials assured the public, in a Facebook post, that pass programs will remain the same and all reciprocal benefits with PGR, including Jay Peak, remain in place for the 2025-26 season.
Ragged first opened in 1965, had various owners before Anderson, and experienced bankruptcy and shutdowns and growth over the decades, according to newenglandskihistory.com. The resort has seen improvements since 2007 that include new lodges and snowmaking upgrades.
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The resort is a member of Indy Pass and was named among the 10 best ski resorts in New Hampshire by Travel + Leisure and considered the best value in New England by the New England Ski Journal.
Ragged Mountain will open Dec. 5 for the season.
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