Black Mountain Resort: A Huffington Post Travel Ski Resort Guide

HuffPost Guides: Black Mountain Resort

Black Mountain Resort in New Hampshire is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. As part of a series on ski resorts, Huffington Post Travel offers our guide to Black Mountain Resort, featuring all the key information snow lovers need to know before they hit the slopes.

The Basics

Family-owned and family-friendly,
in picturesque Jackson opened in 1935 and is the oldest ski facility in New Hampshire. The resort has slopes for all skiing and snowboarding abilities, from challenging double black diamond Lostbo to novice Jubilee. Guests can take in beautiful views of Mount Washington and a warming southern exposure. Situated
of bustling North Conway, Jackson and Black Mountain together compose the less hectic, less crowded snow destination in the White Mountains. The resort is accessible from Boston, Massachusetts, Manchester, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine, all of which have airports.

The Mountain

has a vertical drop of 1,100 feet. Its base elevation is 1,250 feet and the summit elevation is 3,303 feet. The resort offers 143 acres of skiable terrain with snowmaking abilities on 98 percent of the slopes. The mountain receives an average of 120 inches of snow annually.
takes place nightly, but the resort keeps the glade and wood trails in their natural states.

Trails And Lifts

Of the
at Black Mountain, 33 percent are beginner slopes, 35 percent are intermediate and 32 percent are for the experts. The longest run measures 8,000 feet. Although the resort is small compared to many others, there are several challenging glade and other black diamond
, such as White Knuckle. The long Sugarbush trail and the Valleyview trail are among several slopes that unfold from the green East Bowl. The four lifts offer variety as well: triple and double chairlifts, the J-bar and a platter pull, which is likened to sitting on large platters while gliding uphill.

In The News

The resort trains a racing team on weekends and hosts the
. Participants race to the top of the mountain on foot, whether wearing skis, snowshoes or even athletic shoes. No chairlifts or any other motorized methods are allowed. The $50 entry fee includes a lift ticket. For season pass holders, the entry fee is $25. The resort also hosts a Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge race. For those who love skiing -- and want to meet that special skiing someone -- the resort offers ski speed dating close to Valentine's Day.

Cost

Weekday
run from $25 for children ages 6 to 17 and seniors to $35 for adults. Children 5 and younger ski free. Weekend and vacation rates for a full day go for $30 to $45, but after 12:30 p.m. half-day tickets are available from $20 to $30. College students and military personnel pay the lowest weekend and holiday rates. Daily specials lower costs for local residents on Mondays and for seniors on Thursdays. Adults can
skis, poles and boots for a single price of $30; juniors pay $24. Snowboards rent for $24 to $30. Multiday ski and snowboard packages range from $43 to $130 for two to five days. Children and adults can take advantage of private and group
, topping out at $99, which include equipment and lift tickets. Daycare is available for $45 for a half-day and $75 for a full day.

Apres-Ski

At the Black Mountain Resort lodge, the
is the all-ages place for live entertainment, microbrews, sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and salads. It also offers a view of the mountain and the horses that give trail rides in the summer. Otherwise, the tiny but sophisticated town of
provides the apres-ski scene with its shops and restaurants, from casual cafes to fine dining, and the town's iconic red covered bridge. Many local lodging facilities offer discounted Black Mountain lift tickets to guests.

WATCH: Black Mountain Resort

Skiers and snowboarders enjoy abundant snow and uncrowded slopes at Black Mountain Ski Resort.

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