New Hampshire's Oldest Ski Area Has a New Owner

Black Mountain, widely regarded as New Hampshire's oldest ski area still in operation, has a new owner. The historic ski area has been purchased by The Indy Pass and Entabeni Systems from The Fichera Family.

The sale was announced at a community meeting held at the ski area on October 5, 2024.

POWDER first became aware of the planned community meeting via press release last week . The meeting's details were vague, but revealed that Indy Pass Managing Director, Erik Mogensen would be on site to, "inform the Black Mountain community about the ski area’s future."

The Indy Pass and Entabeni Systems have effectively purchased Black Mountain from the Fichera family, but they don't plan to hold onto the mountain long. It was also announced at the meeting that the companies intend to transition the ski area into a community co-op by the Winter '25/'26 season.

In the meantime, Mogensen will move to Jackson, New Hampshire to serve as Black Mountain's General Manager for the Winter '24/'25 season. Doug Fichera, of the Fichera family who had previously owned and operated Black Mountain for 30 years, will act as Director of Mountain Operations. Andy Shepard, who served as Saddleback Mountain's CEO and GM and was recently hired by as The Indy Pass' Director of Community Engagement, will help with the transition to a community co-op.

Mogensen will offer ownership of Black Mountain to the community by selling shares that anybody can purchase. Similar to Mad River Glen, Vermont, Black Mountain shareholders will be directly involved in making decisions about the mountain they care for so deeply.

“Thanks to the Fichera Family, Indy Pass is taking over the stewardship of Black Mountain and intends to turn it into an impactful community-run co-op. This sustainable model will keep this historic mountain viable for generations,” said Mogensen. “There are dozens of small ski areas across the country struggling to stay afloat, and we believe this financial model is a viable option for many. For-profit, non-profit, and co-ops - all independent mountains matter. They are the past and the future of our sport.”

Black Mountain intends to open for the Winter '24/'25 season on December 20, 2024.

The Indy Pass was created to provide skiers and riders access to the independent ski area gems scattered across the country. As an alternative to the mega-passes that almost exclusively feature fancy resorts with high price tags, the Indy Pass favors the mom and pop ski areas that preserve the soul of skiing.

In purchasing Black Mountain with the intention of returning it to the community, the Indy Pass is putting their money with their mouth is, so to say.

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