Black Mountain ski area will not open for the 2023-24 season, owners say

Black Mountain has been a mainstay in the Mount Washington Valley since 1935. (Black Mountain)

UPDATE: Black Mountain, days after saying it would close, announced a plan to open for this season.

Black Mountain, a historic, family-owned ski area located in Jackson, N.H., will not open for the 2023-24 season due to what owners called “circumstances beyond our control.” 

“It is with sadness that we share that Black Mountain ski area will not open for the 2023-2024 season,” the Fichera family wrote in an email sent Tuesday morning. “To all of our past and present team members, all season pass holders and guests, extended family and friends – thank you for your support over the years, we will miss you.” 

The Ficheras listed soaring energy costs, unpredictable weather, and extreme staffing shortages as circumstances that turned out to be too large to overcome for the upcoming winter.

The email also noted that those who purchased season passes for the upcoming ski season, will hear about the process of reimbursement soon.

Black Mountain was also one of the more than 180 independent resorts available on the Indy Pass. 

In response, trade group Ski New Hampshire posted a statement to its social media channels that read:  “We understand that this was a difficult choice for the owner to make, and that the decision will have an impact on Black’s skiers, staff, and on the community in general. The challenges that Black cited as leading to their decision to close for the season are real, and many ski area operators deal with those same issues. Ski NH has been working to advocate for policies that address issues like climate change, energy prices and stability, workforce development and housing, and other factors that can impact the industry. We respect Black Mountain’s need to close for the season and look forward to learning of any developments that may lead to its reopening in the near future.”

For a thorough, rich background on Black Mountain, check out Mount Washington Valley ski historian Tom Eastman’s piece in the Conway Daily Sun.

Video: Behind the scenes at Black Mountain