AND STILL A FIERCELY INDEPENDENT, COMMUNITY MOUNTAIN
Today, Black Mountain is considered by many to be one of the few remaining places that is truly the heartbeat of skiing - the soul of skiing for the past 90 years.
Since 1995, John Fichera and his family have worked tirelessly to keep this place open, accessible, affordable - and, most importantly, fiercely independent. Last October, John announced that he had to close operations due to a lack of staffing and financial viability. The community, far and wide, was heartbroken, and responses and words of support came flooding in. The ski community didn’t want to see this sacred place fail, but little solutions were offered. But that is when Indy Pass stepped in, giving the Fichera Family the financial and operational support he needed to get the mountain open and back in operation.
Now, after another challenging season, John is fully transferring the ownership and stewardship of Black Mountain to the experienced and impassioned team at Indy Pass to keep the mountain open and turn it into a successful community-owned and operated cooperative mountain by the ‘24-’25 season.
Indy Pass is proud to be the steward of Black Mountain, which shows a continued and meaningful contribution to the whole community of independent mountains, those who ride their trails, and the future of skiing for generations to come.
Join the mission and support the independent, community-focused mountain revolution - For the love of skiing.
BLACK MOUNTAIN IS BECOMING A COMMUNITY CO-OP
Join our community by signing up for emails. We will keep you posted on our progress and other ways you can help.
JOIN OUR MISSION IN SUPPORT OF SKIING
A STORIED PAST AND GENERATIONS OF STORIES STILL TO COME
Since 1935, Black Mountain has been at the forefront of community-focused, independent skiing. The mountain was one of the first in the country to offer lift support and is home to the first overhead lift, now known affectionately as the “J-Bar.” Generations of skiers have discovered their love and nurtured their passion for skiing and community down the slopes of Black Mountain.
Many consider this place “home,” nurturing its independent roots and storied past while staying focused on what we have always been—fiercely independent. We provide affordable and accessible quality skiing in a familial setting to our beloved community of locals, regulars, and visitors alike.
This mission is as vital now as it was 90 years ago, if not more so. With the community’s support, we converted this place into a meaningfully run community cooperative, breathing new life and fresh perspective into what will be considered the birthplace of skiing and community co-op mountains in this country.
With the community’s support, we will continue to thrive and do what we do best - for the love of skiing.
WHY IS INDY PASS DOING THIS?
At Indy Pass, we truly love skiing with a fervor that approaches religion. We are committed to preserving the essence of our sport at all costs.
We look to empower skiers and potential skiers by providing an affordable experience that will introduce the broader consumer to human-scale, independent ski resorts that stand for something—turning those people into lifelong lovers of the sport.
Our goal isn’t merely to sell ski passes and drive revenue; it’s to support, preserve, and share this humble, human-scale skiing experience that has shaped our lives for the better with anyone who wants to enjoy it.
So we are putting our money where our mouth is and supporting John and the Black Mountain community to stay alive and thrive for decades to come.
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Who is Indy Pass?Indy Pass is a multi-mountain pass with access to over 200 independent ski areas throughout the world. But we are more than just a pass - we are a movement rooted in the belief that when people unite around something they love and believe in, good things happen. We are an actual living, breathing community of skiers and riders who love this sport and believe it should remain welcoming and accessible to all.
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What is a “co-op”?A cooperative, aka co-op, is a member-owned and controlled organization. There are a few different types, but essentially, all members get to vote on board members. Those board members are then tasked with managing the co-op. In Black Mountain’s case, they will be responsible for recruiting resort management and overseeing the operations from a high level.
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Why is Indy Pass turning BM into a co-op?Owning a ski area might have been a dream in the past, but now it can be a reality. Turning Black Mountain into a co-op makes it even more affordable and accessible to the community. Who better to decide the future than the people the Mountain directly impacts? Locals that rely on the Mountain for not just a paycheck but a lifestyle will have direct control of its future. It will also instill a valuable sense of ownership into the community and unite people.
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How and why should I participate?Indy Pass is a temporary guardian; we won’t be the custodian for long. We need the community to step in and finish what we’ve started. This is your chance to make a difference in Black Mountain’s future. 24/25 season pass holder purchasers will join the co-op shareholders' waitlist.
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When will this happen?It’s happening now. By the time you read this, Indy Pass already has a team at Black Mountain preparing for the 24/25 season. You will be able to purchase shares in the spring of 2025, and the board will be elected mid-summer of 2025.
