Driving into the parking lot, I was directed where to park by an attendant. Upon opening my car door, I was greeted with friendly and warm conversation despite the frigid cold of the morning. Entering the lodge, I was enthusiastically and happily greeted by several employees. The main floor of the lodge is spacious and contains ample tables and chairs, including wood benches surrounding a red brick fireplace. Downstairs on the bottom floor, I purchased my lift ticket for $32 and quickly became engaged in conversation with Black’s attentive and hospitable staff. I was amazed by their Rental setup which seemed well designed and well staffed. Black’s reputation as a family friendly resort that specializes in beginners and those just learning is well deserved. But I was about to learn that Black has more to offer than just for families and beginners!
Black is a Mountain for everyone. First timers to Experts alike will delight in Black Mountain’s classic, narrow, winding trails. Beginners have two dedicated areas for learning which include a J-Bar servicing a wide open practice slope and a Platter Pull Surface Lift which accesses three charming Green Circles. Even expert skiers would do well to try the Platter Pull lift at least once for the experience! If you have never seen a Platter Pull lift, think T-Bar with a plunger instead of a T. The plunger gets placed between your legs which may lead some self-absorbed skiers to believe it is an extension of their man hood.
Something For Everyone
Once beginners have their skis under them, they will delight in the beginner terrain off the East Bowl Triple Chair. This old Borvig Triple accesses some of the finest and most delightful Green Circles in the east. Sugarbush, Sweet Dreams, Beauty Loop, and Black Beauty wrap around skier’s left, winding gracefully through the trees. Perfectly groomed corduroy and a canopy of green form tunnels of skiing bliss for all levels.
Intermediate level skiers can enjoy a variety of groomed and non-groomed terrain.The East Bowl Triple Chair gives access to several delightful Blue Squares including the groomers Chute, Juniper, Galloping Goose, Runaway, and Goose Pitch.Also of interest are short, natural snow Blue Squares such as Lo Road and Drop Off which have soft and natural snow with occasional bumps. Perfect for those looking for a short pitch to learn how to ski bumps and fluff.
Also of interest to the Intermediate skier will be the Diamond trails Upper Jackson Standard and Maple Slalom under the East Bowl Triple Chair. Although both labeled as Black Diamonds, these trails are groomed to perfection and offer a slight challenge that most Intermediates will welcome. Upper Jackson Standard also doubles as Black Mountain’s NASTAR trail.
The Little Kid Brother
Despite the reputation as a family destination, Black serves up some fun and exciting expert runs. Experts should immediately abandon everything they’ve ever believed about Black Mountain, cause this mountain offers up a fair amount of advanced terrain to go with that family marketing.All of Black’s expert terrain was left un-groomed with exception of Upper Jackson Standard, Maple Slalom, and Maple Slalom Chute. These three wide open cruisers offer ample terrain for big GS turns and lots of speed. In the West Bowl, expert skiers will delight to bumps and stumps. Upper and Lower Speedwall, Roller Coaster, Bob-A-Link, and the lower section of Sun Valley all offered up small to medium sized bumps and natural snow conditions. Perfect for those just learning bumps or trying to enhance their technique. Tree skiers will thrill to T2, a short spacious tree shot with a 10 foot cliff, and the nasty double black Mr. Rew Glades.
Expert skiers will feel most at home on Black’s Summit which offers up several steep and nasty, yet short lines. Lostbo offers up the steepest pitch on the mountain, which then continues into the dense Lostbo Glades off the face. The moguls on Upper Maple Slalom make Volkswagen Bumps seem puny. For those who enjoy cliffs, another one can be found in the Carter Notch Glades. And for the showboats, the liftline trail Upper Galloping Goose is reminiscent of Magic’s double chair liftliine. Upper Galloping Goose is Red Line’s little kid brother that really wants to be bad ass, but still isn’t quite there; but almost!
One of Black’s most remarkable and exciting trails is White Knuckle, which is excellent in combination with Lostbo from the summit. This double black trail drops off the east side of Black’s Summit into what feels like a remote and out of the way locale. After dropping through the initial steep pitch of pleasantly moderate sized bumps, I paused and heard nature. Absent were the sounds of man as the trees rustled, birds chirped, chipmunks ran wild, and other various unseen but clearly heard animals went about their business. The narrow trail continues to wind and turn through soft natural snow and small soft bumps. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the old Taft Trail from the summit of Mittersill. White Knuckle dumps you out onto the Sugar Glades, a fun Blue Square that winds narrowly through a gentle slope of bumps and jumps. An excellent end to a fantastic run.
Taking It All In
No trip to Black Mountain would be complete without a trip to the summit via the Summit Double Chair. This excellent chairlift is an old Meuller Double with Riblet Chairs. It is an ultra smooth ride that offers excellent views to the south and west. Upon unloading at the summit station, breath taking views of Mount Washington and the White Mountain Region are to be had. Visible from the summit include The Trypyramids, The Osceolas, Mount Carrigan, Attitash Ski Area, and most noticeably Mount Washington to name a few. Although the summit trails are mostly expert level, Upper Black Beauty is a Blue Square descending gently from the summit that even beginners should be able to navigate successfully.
Views from everywhere on Black Mountain are equally inspiring with the Doublehead Mountains to the east, Tin and Thorn Mountains to the south, and various higher peaks as noted above appearing to the west and south-west. Black Mountain itself is a work of art with its historical charm, character, classic New England trails, and beautiful landscape. Add the personality of the people to that of the mountain, and you have a ski experience that goes above and beyond what can be expected these days.
When I returned to the lodge after my last run, I unbuckled my boots to the tune of The Gambler emanating from the Lostbo Pub. The live entertainment and welcoming atmosphere further developed upon the pattern Black Mountain has established: Good Skiing, Good People, Good Atmosphere, and Good Times. A New England Classic for sure!
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