Future of Black Mountain (N.H.) to be revealed Saturday

Erik Morgensen said on Oct. 5, 2024, that Indy Pass is buying Black Mountain and wants it to become a co-op. (WiseguyCreative.com/)

The public is invited to a meeting Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Black Mountain base lodge in Jackson, N.H., regarding the future of the ski area, according to a release put out by Indy Pass and a message posted on the Black Mountain webpage.

John Fichera, who has owned Black for nearly 30 years, and Indy Pass director Erik Mogensen will be giving a presentation with a question-and-answer period to follow.

The webpage was changed Monday to a black background with the mountain’s logo and an invitation to join them for “a big announcement.”

“Running an independent mountain is hard, and we know that what becomes of Black Mountain is important in keeping skiing authentic, affordable, and accessible,” it said. “We have a plan. Please join the Fichera family and Erik Mogensen from Indy Pass for a community meeting on the future of Black Mountain.”

There is also a line to enter an email address to receive updates.

The meeting will be streamed on the Indy Pass Facebook page.

On Oct. 11, 2023, Fichera said that the mountain would not operate “due to circumstances beyond our control, including soaring energy costs, unpredictable weather, extreme staffing shortages throughout the region, and many other challenges.”

The following week, Entabeni Systems, the parent company of Indy Pass, reached an agreement with Fichera to provide the resources to keep the mountain open while helping to look for a buyer who would be interested in keeping Black open as a ski area.

Black Mountain, which had its first trails cut 90 years ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps, has continuously operated since 1935, when the Shovel Handle, believed to be the first overhead cable lift in the country, was installed. There are 45 trails and glades with five lifts on 143 skiable acres and a 1,100-foot vertical drop.