A Trip to Black Mountain of Maine – Faith Restored
February 4, 2026
My lovely wife, Rebecca, proofreads my articles, for she is the grammar queen in our family. When she read my recent article “Is the Ski Industry Thriving or Dying?” she remarked how depressing it was. And she was right. There are some troubling trends in our industry that unfortunately can’t be ignored. It was a bummer to write it and really rattled me. That and the incredibly stagnant ski conditions in the west.
Given those conditions in the west I have been back east in Maine the last couple weeks. It has allowed me to rekindle my love for cross country skiing and created space for reflective times in front of the fire staring at a very frozen ocean. But with the deep snow pack and cold temps in the east, I really wanted to get back on downhill skis. Spurred on by an excellent article in Down East magazine about the smaller ski hills in Maine, I ventured to Black Mountain of Maine last week. (Not to be confused with Black Mountain in New Hampshire.)
The whole experience reminded me of what the general ski experience used to be and perhaps, in some ways, what it should be still. Suffice it to say that Black is everything that the Aspen and Vail controlled mountains generally are not. The lift ticket (the old sticky kind to be attached with a wicket) was $30. (I put the wicket and ticket in my pocket and only discovered it again when I got to my car at the end of the day and emptied my pockets. Oops.) Kids were running around and skiing everywhere. The burger and fries were made to order. The trail map is printed on a 8.5 by 11 inch piece of paper. The base lodge was a cozy escape and oozed camaraderie.
Most importantly, I was reminded one doesn’t need a large resort to love skiing, and the day absolutely restored my faith in skiing! Black Mountain is diminutive compared to western areas but is respectable for the east with 1,400 vertical feet. I was so thunderstruck by the skiing that I now feel sorry for anyone who saw me for days after that. I would blurt out – “Have you been to Black Mountain?” While the mountain is essentially accessed by an ancient incredibly slow triple chair, the wait is worth it. There are four or five intermediate trails, but that is not what makes this place so special.
The Angry Beavers have been hard at work. These Beavers of the human type are a group of locals who since 2010 have created some of the best glades I have seen. Yes, some of the glades are gnarly but many are skiable by a low intermediate skier/boarder. In fact the mountain is one big glade. One can ski along a trail and then just follow tracks into the woods and find superbly cut glades that meander around the mountain. Ignore that paper trail map. Most of the glades aren’t marked on it. Perhaps the most unique feature of the area however are the huge gladed woods one can access by climbing. These glades are not for the faint of heart, particularly given the solid 15 minute hike from the top of the lift to access them. Once the climb is behind you though and you have taken in the impressive views, there is a long trail along the ridge. Have had enough of the ridge? Turn right and dive into the glades!
I have railed against the corporatization of the ski world. I have encouraged us all to “vote with our skis” and support the smaller independent areas. To be honest though most of my ski days are at the big boy resorts. Black Mountain has reminded me of how simple and basic skiing can be.
Be Well; Ski Well.
Kevin Dennis is a life long ski bum with a 34 year legal career on the side. Now retired, he skis 80+ days a year. While he lives in Alta UT in the winters, he has traveled extensively through skiing and has skied almost every major resort in North America (and many you have never heard of). He continues to hit the road often throughout the western United States and Canada and trips over the last several years have included ventures in British Columbia, Montana and Colorado. Whether you want to know about the behemoths like Aspen or Squaw or are interested in the road less travelled (Lost Trail Powder Mountain in Montana or Whitewater in BC anyone?), Kevin has been there, has an opinion and you will most likely have to tell him to shut up after a half hour!
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