Two nonprofit New England ski areas to be featured in short documentary

Black Mountain of Maine will have improved snowmaking for the 2025-26 season thanks to two grants. (Deanna Kersey)

It should come as no surprise that Indy Pass is a fan of independent mountains that have managed to carve out a niche for themselves in an era of conglomerations. The pass teamed up with filmmakers from Teton Gravity Research to create “Mountains Not for Profit” about four nonprofit mountains and what they mean to their communities.

Among the mountains profiled were Whaleback Mountain in Enfield, N.H., and Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford as well as Shames Mountain in Terrace, B.C., and Antelope Butte in Shell, Wyo. All four mountains are on the Indy Pass.

“The people who help these nonprofit (and) co-op mountains survive and thrive are really special — and the people who are supported by these mountains and these communities are inspiring — they absolutely keep the soul of skiing alive,” said director Drew Holt.

Each of the four mountains operate as nonprofits, so while they need money to operate, any money left over after the end of the season must be put back into the mountain. But often, they are run on a shoestring budget and hope to receive grants to help make bigger upgrades.

“At the Indy Pass, we support all of our independent mountains, for-profit, nonprofit and co-op. We jumped at the chance to work with TGR and help tell the impactful stories of some of our nonprofit/co-op mountain partners,” said Indy Pass managing director Erik Mogensen. “We went all in because the message behind this film is so important, and we profoundly believe in these mountains. All mountains are vital to their communities and the future of skiing.”

Black Mountain received two grants in the past 15 months that will cover 90 percent of two capital investment projects that are designed to help blanket the mountain in white when Mother Nature is not cooperating.

The first was a Northern Border Regional Commission grant awarded in August 2023 for $380,000 for the purchase of 13 snow guns that will be used on the St. John and Allagash trails.

The second was for $775,000 through Congressionally directed spending in March to promote economic development in Rumford through infrastructure improvements at the mountain. Black recently announced it would be using this money to help double the size of its snowmaking pond and install new snowmaking pumps and a pump house.

Both projects are expected to begin in the summer 2025 and be completed before the start of the 2025-26 ski season.

“Like many nonprofits, we work within a tight budget, and these grants will enable us to make snowmaking improvements that might not have been possible otherwise,” Black Mountain marketing director Deanna Kersey said. “These upgrades will allow us to remain competitive and elevate the experience for our guests, all while supporting our mission. They will also help us continue serving as a key resource for the River Valley community, providing recreational, social and educational opportunities that benefit both local residents and visitors alike.”

Whaleback, which has operated as a nonprofit since 2013, received a $100,000 NBRC grant for purchasing snow guns, a water pump and improved electrical supplies that are expected to double snowmaking capacity. Whaleback executive director, Jon Hunt, said the mountain has already begun to purchase the new snowmaking equipment.

“We are also installing a new surface lift on the lower third of the mountain with the goal of expanding the season a bit on each end,” Hunt said.

The trailer for “Mountains Not for Profit” will be released on Teton Gravity Research’s YouTube channel on Oct. 24.

Whaleback will have a free screening Nov. 16 at the Opera House in Lebanon, N.H. Hunt said that ticket information will be forthcoming on the Whaleback website. Black Mountain of Maine will have a free screening Nov. 22 in the base lodge in advance of the film’s premiere Nov. 26 on TGR’s YouTube channel.

“They spent about three or four days here last year collecting content and interviews,” said Hunt, who added that getting the word out about Whaleback’s roots is important to driving Indy Pass visitors. “I think it is going to be super cool.”

Watch the trailer