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While the Rumford area is perhaps better known for its nordic and ski jumping history, it has also been home to an alpine ski area for over half a century.
Early Years of Chisholm Ski Club
Rumford's Chisholm Ski Club dates back to circa 1923, when a ski jump was constructed on Spruce Street. A ski tow was later added to the area to support alpine skiing. World War II took the community's focus off maintaining its ski complex, resulting in the loss of the jump ramp.
Following the war, a ski jump and tow were constructed on Scotty's Mountain, thanks in part to help from the Oxford Paper Company. With its lease on Scotty's expiring circa 1960, the Chisholm Ski Club acquired some 450 acres on nearby Black Mountain and began constructing a new ski complex for the new decade.
The original Black Mountain lodge and alpine trails (2014) |
Early Years at Black Mountain
Chisholm Winter Park on Black Mountain likely opened in early 1961 with two trails served by a 2,200 foot T-Bar. Two ski jumps were in place that winter, as well as a cross country ski trail network and a multi-story base lodge.
For its first full season, a 70 meter jump was added, as well as two more trails. Night skiing was also available.
Heading into the 1962-63 season, a 3,400 foot upper mountain lift line was apparently cut in preparation for a summit T-Bar. The upper mountain would not open until some four decades later.
Upper Androscogin (2014) |
Greater Rumford Community Center Takes Control
Black Mountain found itself in financial trouble in the early 1970s, thanks in part to a lack of snowmaking. Meanwhile, the non-profit Rumford Mechanics Institute Association became the Greater Rumford Community Center. Circa 1974, the Chisholm Ski Club handed ownership and operational control of Black Mountain ski area to the Greater Rumford Community Center. Along with financial support from the town, the group was able to keep the ski area operating.
Desperately in need of snowmaking, a fundraising campaign was kicked off in the late 1980s to install a system. As a result of the campaign and town funds, snowmaking debuted at Black Mountain during the winter of 1989-90.
In the early 1990s, fundraising was commenced for the purchase of a chairlift. While a lift was procured, the area could not raise enough funds to install it.
In order to help diversify winter offerings, snow tubing was added for the 1997-98 season.
Maine Winter Sports Center Buys Black Mountain
With Black Mountain constantly being a point of debate in regard to obtaining town funds, Chisholm Ski Club member and former Olympian Chummy Broomhall contacted Maine Winter Sports Center to see if the organization could help the ski area. In mid-2003, Maine Winter Sports Center purchased the ski area from the Greater Rumford Community Center. A used double chairlift was installed for the 2003-04 season, serving three novice trails.
Major changes took place for the 2004-05 season, as Black Mountain went from 470 vertical feet to 1,150 when a brand new triple chairlift was installed. In addition, a 12,000 base lodge was constructed at the foot of the new lift.
The 1.5 mile Allagash trail made its debut for the 2011-12 season. It was smoothed and groomed for the 2012-13 season.
Upper Allagash (2014) |
Near Closure
On June 11, the Town of Rumford voted 939 to 497 to not provide $51,000 in annual funding. Two weeks later, Maine Winter Sports Center announced plans to close Black Mountain of Maine ski area effective immediately, citing 10 consecutive years of losses. Passionate skiers then commenced a fundraising campaign, which generated $125,000 in just a few weeks. On July 19, 2013, the Maine Winter Sports Center announced enough funds had been raised to keep the ski area open for the 2013-2014 season. Soon thereafter, the ski area was transferred to the Black Mountain Operating Board.
Meanwhile, a volunteer group called the Angry Beavers developed glades throughout the mountain, making Black Mountain one of the largest tree skiing areas in New England.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
| Month |
Average Percent of Terrain Open |
| December | 33% (5 reports) |  | | January | 73% (23 reports) | | | February | 91% (20 reports) | | | March | 78% (14 reports) | | | April | 25% (2 reports) | |
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| Recent Conditions Reports |
 | Mar. 21, 2024 by newenglandskier13
Variable Conditions, Powder |
 | Mar. 14, 2024 by newenglandskier13
Spring Snow, Frozen Granular |
 | Mar. 3, 2024 by nordicgal
Loose Granular, Spring Snow |
 | Feb. 25, 2024 by newenglandskier13
Loose Granular, Frozen Granular |
 | Jan. 1, 2024 by newenglandskier13
Packed Powder, Frozen Granular |
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| Black Mountain on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com |
NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Expansion History
| Project |
Season |
 | Upper Mountain
Open | 2004-05 | |
Image Gallery
Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Maps
Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass. Window price, including RFID fee and taxes when known.
| 2020s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2023-24 | $55.00 | | $525.00 | | 9.5 days | December 26 | March 24 | | | | | 2022-23 | $55.00 | | $495.00 | | 9.0 days | December 26 | April 2 | | | | | 2021-22 | $55.00 | | $450.00 | | 8.2 days | December 26 | April 3 | | | | | 2020-21 | $45.00 | | $450.00 | | 10.0 days | December 28 | March 28 | | | | | 2019-20 | $45.00 | | $450.00 | | 10.0 days | December 21 | March 15 | | | |
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $45.00 | | $450.00 | | 10.0 days | December 26 | April 7 | | | | | 2017-18 | $37.00 | | $370.00 | | 10.0 days | December 26 | April 8 | | | | | 2016-17 | $37.00 | | $295.00 | | 8.0 days | December 26 | April 9 | | | | | 2015-16 | $29.00 | | $295.00 | | 10.2 days | December 30 | March 20 | | | | | 2014-15 | $25.00 | | $250.00 | | 10.0 days | December 20 | April 12 | | | | | 2013-14 | $15.00 | | $150.00 | | 10.0 days | December 21 | April 13 | | | | | 2012-13 | $15.00 | | $150.00 | | 10.0 days | December 22 | March 24 | | | | | 2011-12 | $34.00 | | $269.00 | | 7.9 days | | | | | | | 2010-11 | | | | | | December 27 | March 27 | | | | | 2009-10 | $29.00 | | $249.00 | | 8.6 days | December 26 | | | | |
| 2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2008-09 | $30.00 | | $249.00 | | 8.3 days | December 26 | | | | | | 2007-08 | $25.00 | | $269.00 | | 10.8 days | | March 30 | | | | | 2006-07 | $20.00 | | $269.00 | | 13.5 days | December 26 | | | | | | 2005-06 | $20.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 2004-05 | $18.00 | | $249.00 | | 13.8 days | | April 3 | | | | | 2003-04 | $17.00 | | $295.00 | | 17.4 days | | | 8,000 | | | | 2002-03 | | | | | | | | 14,000 | | | | 2001-02 | | | | | | December 26 | | | | | | 2000-01 | | | | | | | | 18,000 | | | | 1999-00 | | | | | | | March 26 | 15,000 | | |
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1993-94 | | | | | | December 27 | | | | | | 1989-90 | | | | | | | | 12,422 | | |
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1988-89 | | | | | | | | 8,857 | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1964-65 | | | | | | December 10 | | | | |
Visitor Memories
| "I grew up on Black Mt.as a youngster and enjoyed the experiences and joy of skiing. I was also involved in boy scouts and basketball which hampered my skiing ability.I would say from the lack of practice I was maybe an intermediate at best. But I will say I totally enjoyed the experience and was grateful for the chance to have a mt.in your hometown. Also the chance to be with friends and enjoy winter sports.
" | | Tim Quigley, Jan. 22, 2023 |
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External Links
Black Mountain of Maine - official site
Black Mountain - NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
Chisholm Ski Club
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Last updated: July 21, 2016
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