Black Mountain Kicks Off NH Ski Season With Earliest Opening in 90-Year History
The 2025-2026 New Hampshire ski season has officially begun, and it was the historic Black Mountain that claimed the coveted title of first resort to spin its lifts. In a triumphant kickoff to its new era of community-focused ownership, Black Mountain opened its slopes on Saturday, November 15, marking the earliest opening in the resort’s 90-year history.
The opening, set for 7:45 a.m., drew excited crowds of season pass holders and Indy Pass members, who were granted exclusive early access to the freshly groomed, machine-made snow. The early start solidifies Black Mountain's commitment to delivering a full, sustainable season following its recent acquisition by Indy Pass and Entabeni Systems, which is actively transforming the mountain into a community-owned cooperative.
Strategic Upgrades Pave the Way
The unprecedented November 15th start date is a direct result of substantial off-season investments. Management, led by General Manager Erik Mogensen, implemented a major snowmaking expansion, adding over 200 new, energy-efficient snow guns and 28,000 feet of new snowmaking pipe. These upgrades allowed the mountain to capitalize on early cold windows to build a robust base.
"We have been on a relentless mission to set up Black Mountain for a magical season and a sustainable future," Mogensen said in a press release on Friday. "Being open matters, and we're thrilled to welcome our skiers and riders back to see what we've been up to.
"Thanks to the heroic efforts of the entire team, we will open for our 91st season of skiing at Black Mountain tomorrow, Saturday, November 15th. We are making a statement that this little mountain and everything that it stands for is back and better than ever.
"Opening day will be limited to Black Mountain’s Season Pass holders and Indy Pass holders. Season Passes are available for sale online and on-site tomorrow. Indy passes remain sold out.
"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.
"Skiers and riders will load the Summit Double and ride to the Summit, making turns back down to the mid-station on the Upper Maple Slalom trail. After the first run, skiers will load from the mid-station for additional laps and will download to the base area when they are done making those early-season turns. This early-season open is for advanced skiers and riders, and will not be groomed. Rentals and Ski School are not quite ready.
"The bar is ready. We will have it open all day, with food options served from 10 AM to late. At 3 PM, the Scott Baer band will light up the base lodge, and we will celebrate the sport and culture of skiing with the gatherings we have become famous for."
Beyond the slopes, the offseason included major capital improvements to enhance the skier experience, including a refurbishment of the historic base lodge, an upgraded kitchen for expanded dining options, and a significant increase in parking capacity. The mountain also widened several trails and introduced a new terrain pod, increasing its overall vertical drop.
A New Chapter for a Classic Hill
Black Mountain, which first opened its trails in 1935, is the oldest continuously operating ski resort in New Hampshire. Its new ownership model—centered on converting the mountain into a community-owned co-op—aims to blend its classic New England charm with modern sustainability and operational efficiency.
The resort, situated in the scenic White Mountains, offers approximately 1,100 vertical feet of skiing across 45 trails. While other resorts in the state, such as Bretton Woods, are also targeting a November 15th start, Black Mountain's aggressive, record-setting push secures its place as the first to welcome skiers back to the Granite State for the 2025-2026 winter. Lift tickets for the general public are expected to be released shortly after the initial pass-holder opening weekend.
