Letter From the GM – Town Settlement & Free Skiing Tomorrow

There have been an incredible number of challenges we have had to overcome to bring Black Mountain back. Snowmaking, lifts, buildings, infrastructure, marketing, insurance, hiring, and buying the mountain in the first place, but the hardest challenge in this remarkable comeback story has been the tension that we have had with the town of Jackson. I want to be clear, 99% of the people and businesses in town have been nothing but extremely helpful and welcoming. Black Mountain is not only the largest single employer and destination in the Town, but a huge piece of Jackson’s world-class winter recreation identity.

The week before Thanksgiving, the Jackson Police showed up in the middle of the night and attempted to shut down Black Mountain’s snowmaking system over an “anonymous” noise complaint. Black Mountain has been making snow since 1957, predating any zoning or ordinances. I refused to shut down the system.

Jackson, New Hampshire, is a beautiful small town, and I fully admit that there has been an incredible amount of change at the mountain in a very short period of time. However, Black Mountain was clearly unsustainable and needed immediate, meaningful changes. If we want a different and better result, then we must take a different and better action, including finding a collaborative way forward with the Town. 

We now have a full settlement and agreement with the town of Jackson that addresses all pending concerns. The Town agrees that our snowmaking operations are legal and a preexisting nonconforming use. The Town will fully cooperate and provide its approval to various state agencies for permitting the Alpine Cabin, including the liquor commission. This requirement also extends to our new F&B locations, specifically the Sugar Shack, Bull-Wheel Bar, Waffle Cabin, and our expanded service on the main lodge deck. Black Mountain will now work directly with a new contact at the police department, Lieutenant Mike Mosher. My OHRV ticket will be dismissed. Noise will be measured from the property line, not the source. We will be guaranteed two fireworks permits per year.

Black Mountain will drop both the Federal and State lawsuits. We have a system in place to collaboratively manage the mountain’s growth with the town, improving parking, restrooms, and communication. 

Do not underestimate the importance of this settlement agreement for the Mountain and the Town. Two opposing sides came together and fought to protect the sport and culture of skiing that Black Mountain now represents locally and beyond. 

Tomorrow, we will celebrate that sport and culture. While we did not plan to operate until later in the week, we are firing up the lifts from 10 AM - 4 PM on Tuesday, December 2nd, for a powder day celebration. We are expecting significant snowfall. Being open matters, especially on powder days.

We will have free skiing for all Jackson residents to say thank you for making Black Mountain what it is. If you are a season passholder at another mountain that is not operating tomorrow, you are also welcome to join us for free skiing and see this special place first-hand. Anyone taking advantage of free skiing must register online prior to arrival. For everyone else, tickets will be $25 and can be purchased here. The base lodge will be a vibrant scene with food and drink specials all day. Live music starts at 1 PM.

This is a big win.

Thanks for being here.

Erik Mogensen

President and General Manager

Black Mountain Community Corporation