Sign up for Scenic Six
Navigate the endless possibilities of New England travel with Boston.com.
Black Mountain edges out Bretton Woods as the first NH ski area to open this season
"Are we making a statement? You bet."
New Hampshire’s Black Mountain surprised skiers and riders this weekend with its earliest opening in 91 years.
But no one was more surprised, perhaps, than fellow N.H. ski area Bretton Woods.
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire’s largest ski area, announced in a Facebook post on Friday morning that it would be the first to open in New Hampshire for the 2025/26 season and a Friday press release by the White Mountains Visitor Center said the same.
Then on Friday night, Black Mountain changed the script.
Here’s how it all went down:
Bretton Woods shared an opening announcement on Facebook, along with a video, on Friday morning at 9:55 a.m. The following is the first sentence of the announcement:
BREAKING NEWS: BRETTON WOODS OPENS TOMORROW — FIRST IN NH.
The ski resort in Caroll stated it would open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Advertisement:
Then, at 8:49 p.m. on Friday, Black Mountain in Jackson posted the following opening announcement of its own on Facebook, writing that it would also open Saturday, Nov. 15, but earlier:
The lodge opens at 7:30 AM, and the Summit Double will load at 7:45 AM, making Black Mountain the first ski area to open in New Hampshire, edging out our friends at Bretton Woods by a mere 90 minutes. Are we making a statement? You bet.
A day earlier, Erik Mogensen, president and general manager of Black Mountain, hinted in a Facebook post that an early opening this season could happen, writing: “Being open matters. When we do make the call to open, it will be a quick decision, with little notice … I think we will open sooner than anyone expects.”
Black Mountain opened to season pass holders and Indy Pass holders on Saturday.
One Facebook user couldn’t resist replying to the Bretton Woods opening announcement with, “And Black Mountain just slipped in there to make ya’ll #2.”
Advertisement:
Black Mountain has been on quite a ride over the past few years.
The Ficheras, owners since 1995, announced that the historic ski area would close in 2023 due to staffing shortages and soaring costs. Then Indy Pass, which sells ski passes to independently owned and operated ski areas at locations worldwide, stepped in shortly after with resources to keep the mountain open for another year.
The 91-year-old ski area, which had a record-setting last day in May, was purchased last year by Mogensen with the goal of turning it into a community co-op. He is the director of Indy Pass and founder of Entabeni Systems, which brings tech solutions to independent ski areas.
Mogensen, in the Thursday post, wrote that his team has been “on a relentless and non-stop mission to set up Black Mountain for a magical season and a sustainable future.” Improvements will include 30 percent more parking, a new retail store, and “a completely reimagined food and beverage experience at the mountain.”
“We are making a statement that this little mountain and everything that it stands for is back and better than ever,” wrote Black Mountain officials.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com