Making Historic Black Mountain an Experience Everyone in Maine Can Afford

The Maine Winter Sports Center has invested 30 million dollars over the past 12 years in creating some of the world’s top skiing centers. The 10th Mountain Center in Fort Kent and the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle have hosted World Cup Biathlon events that have brought the natural beauty of Northern Maine to hundreds of millions of television viewers around the world and made Maine the epicenter of the sport of biathlon in North America.

But of all the work we’ve done over the years, nothing brings more pride than that done at historic Black Mountain in Rumford. We want to share our pride by making skiing at Black Mountain accessible to everyone in Maine with a new $150 unlimited season pass and $15 day passes.

If you haven’t been to Black Mountain in a while you may not recognize the place. We installed a Doppelmayr lift that expanded our vertical from 470 feet to 1150 in 2003. This fall we cut a new trail toward the summit that further expanded our vertical to 1380 feet – the fourth highest in Maine. Another source of great pride is our beautiful new post and beam day lodge with two museums sharing the rich history of skiing in Rumford. The lodge features two fireplaces, a café, and a newly expanded pub. In addition there are four paved parking lots, finally eliminating mud from the experience of getting your gear to and from the lodge. Our 1380 feet of vertical includes thirty trails, five glades, and terrain that offers something for everyone. I’m also proud of our programs from learn-to-ski all the way up to elite racing programs led by former Olympian and Maine skiing legend, Julie Parisien, former US Ski Team coach Tim LaVallee and former Maine ski coach of the year, Mark Thibodeau.

Great skiing, great programs, a friendly staff, beautiful lodge, no lift lines all combine to make Black Mountain one of the premier family ski areas in the country. This season we are adding to the reasons to come to Black Mountain by offering a season pass for only $150 – that’s unlimited skiing at all Maine Winter Sports Center ski areas across the state, no black-out days, no restrictions, just a lot of really great skiing, including one of the tallest ski areas in Maine, for only $150.

Visit our website (www.skiblackmountain.org) today, get your season pass and join the new Black Mountain family.

Andy Shepard

President, CEO and founder of the Maine Winter Sports Center

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Making History

Drawing upon more than 100 years of skiing, historic Black Mountain Ski Resort in Rumford, Maine is all about families; as ‘The Home Of The $15 Ticket” and $150 season passes, Black Mountain aims to be a family-affordable ski resort that recreational skiers of all ages can enjoy. We welcome families to make their own memories and develop a lifelong love of winter sports.

One of the things that make Black Mountain Ski Resort so special is its connection to Maine’s rich skiing history and its efforts to continue that history. Our ski school, Alpine Race Program, and Cross-Country Program guide first timers and aspiring Olympians alike. Our Nordic trails routinely host high school and collegiate races, as well as national championships. The Alpine trails see events all winter long including races, snowmobile hill climbs and Free Ski Nights. In addition to Black Mountain’s family-affordable season pass ($150) and lift ticket ($15 for morning, afternoon, full-day, and night) prices, Maine children in kindergarten through second grade receive free season passes and Super Seniors (75+) ski free. Through the Need-to-Ski Program, free season passes are available to many Rumford area children who would not be able to afford the opportunity otherwise.

Black Mountain Ski Resort has a 1,380-foot vertical drop, lit top-to-bottom for night skiing. The combined Upper and Lower Androscoggin trails make up a fabulous, “solid blue” intermediate run, almost a mile long. Black Mountain offers 25 trails, including several glades, with over 70 percent snowmaking coverage. These trails are served by a novice double chair and an advanced triple lift. Black Mountain is constantly making changes to improve skiers’ experience including creating new trails, upgrading snowmaking capabilities, and much more.

Located on the Lower Rapid Trail, our terrain park is lift-served and is packed with hits, jumps and other fun features. The novice area’s trails and the Moose Run beginner area are great places to learn and play, especially for families as all trails lead right to the base lodge’s door. With so much to offer, you’d expect big resort prices, but not at Black Mountain. Lift tickets are just $15 for a half-day, full-day, or night skiing and season passes are only $150. Our goal is to bring families into the sport; we strive to make a day of on-snow fun truly affordable. Since opening, Black Mountain of Maine has been making history, and we invite your family to make history with us this season. For more information about our programs and events, please visit www.skiblackmountain.org or call (207) 364-8977.

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Calendar of Events

December

5 Fit Night: For Chisholm Ski Club Cross-Country Program participants; begins at 6pm

13 Business to Business After Hour

15 Snowmobile Hill Climb: lodge opens at 4pm for registration, races start at 6pm

20 Opening Day

26-29 Alpine Ski Camp

January

10 Free Ski and Tube Night brought to you by Oxford Federal Credit Union

11 Special Olympics

12 Junior Sassi: race starts at 11am

21 Adaptive skiing

26 Sassi Invitational: race starts at 11am

February

8 Snowmobile Hill Climb: lodge opens at 4pm for registration, races start at 6pm

9 Winter Kids Pass Day

9 Adaptive Skiing

14 Free Ski and Tube Night brought to you by Franklin Savings Bank

18 Adaptive Skiing

March

1-3 The 4th Annual WinterFest Weekend

16 Adaptive Skiing

23-24 Family Fun Weekend

*Keep an eye on our website (www.skiblackmountain.org) for additional events and news, such as Friday Night Jam Nights!

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Ticket Prices and Hours of Operation 2012-2013

All skiers, snowboarders, and tubers MUST have a ticket! NO EXCEPTIONS!

Ski and Snowboard Ticket Prices

Black Mountain Ski Resort because the “Home Of The $15 Ticket” this year to support the mission statement of being a family-affordable ski resort.

All Lift Tickets, no matter what day or what time are just $15. Buy it in the morning, afternoon or a night, just $15. Whether you plan to ski for a half-day or a full-day you will never be asked for anything more than $15.

In addition to lowering the lift ticket prices, the season pass prices have dropped as well. No matter your age you are or when you buy it, season passes are only $150! Get yours now! Season Pass Application Forms can be found on our website (www.skiblackmountain.org) or purchase one using PayPal through our website!

Hours of Operations

Friday – 9am-4pm, Starting in February – 6pm-9pm

Saturday – 9am-4pm, 6pm-9pm

Sunday – 9am-4pm

*Ages 5 and under, and over 75 always ski FREE

*Ticket windows open 30 minutes prior to lifts opening and closes one hour prior to closing.

Tubing Ticket Prices and Hours of Operations

A release for tubing MUST be signed for EVERY tuber before tickets are issued.

Friday nights starting in February – 6pm-9pm: $10

Saturday – 12pm-4pm: $12, 6pm-9pm: $10

Sunday – 12pm-4pm; $12

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Snow Tubing

Remember those toboggan rides as a kid? Those were fun days. Remember those long, long, long hikes back up the hill? Remember those bruises on your backside from all the bumps? Those parts were less fun. At Black Mountain, the Edge Tubing Park offers all the fun, without the walk or bumps!

The Edge Tubing Park features four unique, groomed tubing runs and a 300-foot handle-tow lift. Did we mention the cushy tubes? Tubing is a terrific way to get the entire family out on snow, and it is guaranteed to bring all the smiles and laughs you remember from your days on the toboggan. And, don’t worry – you can always pass those squeals of joy off as your kids’! No age requirement, however all riders must be able to “clear the chute” after their run.

Hours of Operation for the Edge Tubing Park:

Weekends and Holidays – 12pm-4pm: $12, 6pm-9pm: $10

Friday nights starting in February: 6pm-9pm: $10

Having trouble deciding what to do for your birthday? Have a snow tubing party! The Edge Tubing Park is available for your party; call 364-8977 or email [email protected] more details.

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Ski and Snowboard School

Families have been making memories and creating traditions for decades at Black Mountain Ski Resort, and Black Mountain aims to aid each member of those families in becoming successful, lifelong skiers and snowboarders. To achieve this goal, the Black Mountain Ski and Snowboard School has lesson programs for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill-levels.

New Director

Chris Marcoux has joined the Black Mountain Ski Resort team as our Ski School Director. Chris grew up in Winslow, ME and is a graduate of Plymouth State University.

Previously the Lead Snowboard Trainer and Snowboard Line-Up Supervisor at

Sunday River, Chris brings to us a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm, a passion for teaching and a desire to share his love for sliding down hill.

Chris has been in the snow sports industry for 6 years and is a fully certified

American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) level 3 Instructor. Chris is also a member of the AASI Education Staff and a Children’s Snow Sports Specialist Level 1.

Black Mountain Seasonal Program

Kinder Club – Ages: 3-6 (Ski only); Seasonal Group Lessons on Saturdays and Sundays for eight (8) weeks beginning on January 12th. Saturdays: 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Sundays: 10am-12pm. Students will be split into groups of no more than five (5) children. The cost of this eight week program will be $200 and will not include a lift ticket or rentals.

Snow Kids – Ages: 7-14 (Ski and Snowboard); Season Group Lessons on Saturdays and Sundays for eight (8) weeks starting on January 12th. Saturdays: 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Sundays: 10am-12pm. Students will be split into groups of no more than seven (7) children. The cost of this eight week program will be $200 and will not include a lift ticket or rentals.

Black Mountain Group Lessons

Children’s Group Lessons – Ages: 3-6 (Ski only), 7-14 (Ski and Snowboard); Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. We ask parents to have their children at the ski school meeting place (by the ticket counter) at 9:30am for the morning lesson or 12:30pm for the afternoon lesson to ensure the lessons can start on time. The cost of these hour group lessons is $30 and will not include a lift ticket or rentals.

Adult Learn To Ski and Ride – Lessons will be offered twice a day to help you make your first turns. The Learn to Ski and Ride package includes a lift ticket, rentals and two-and-a-half (2.5) hour lesson. Classes will start at 10am and 1pm and will meet on the Black Mountain Ski Resort deck prior to lesson start times. The cost of these lessons is $70 and includes a lift ticket and rentals for the day.

Adult Clinics – (Ski and Snowboard) Lessons will be offered twice a day and will be one-and-a-half (1.5) hours long. Classes will go from 10:30am-12pm and 1:15pm-2:45pm. The morning lessons will meet at 10am and afternoon lessons will meet at 1pm on the Black Mountain Ski Resort Deck to ensure lessons can begin on time. These clinics are designed to meet the needs of all skiers and snowboarders from novice to expert. The cost of these clinics is $25 and will not include a lift ticket or rentals.

Private Clinics – Private Clinics will be offered every hour and by appointment for those looking for a 1-on-1 learning environment. The cost of these clinics is $50/hour and will not include a lift ticket or rentals.

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Alpine Racing Renaissance at Black Mountain Continues

The alpine racing renaissance continues to take place this winter at Black Mountain Ski Resort. Under the leadership of alpine program director Mark Thibodeau, the Chisholm Ski Club Alpine Race Program has experienced a rebirth, attracting a hearty number of athletes and producing some outstanding race results. In his first season at Black Mountain, Thibodeau and his staff attracted twenty high school and middle school athletes and another thirty-two development skiers (ages 8-12) into the Mountain Kids Program.

Thibodeau said, “A really important component of the overall program is the Mountain Kids Program. It is designed to help give younger developmental skiers the tools they need to develop their racing skills in order to become successful ski racers. Three-time Olympian Julie Parisien from Winthrop headed the Mountain Kids Program. To have Julie’s wealth of knowledge and experience at the grassroots level of our program has been a tremendous asset to the program and kids. Working at this level and doing a great job can be challenging as it is where the attitudes and fundamentals are developed upon which everything to come will involve.”

Again this year, former US National Team Coach, Tim LaVallee, and former Olympian Julie Parisien will be sharing coaching duties with Coach Fitzgerald, Coach Dorsey and new to the staff Coach Nicols, to ensure that all aspects of training are accommodated. We will provide the following at each training session:

Small racer to coach ratio.

Increased opportunities for video analysis.

A logical progression of free skiing, drills courses, and full length courses.

Timed runs at appropriate times.

Mental preparation for successful competition

Observations of the latest ski techniques

Another important component of the rejuvenated Chisholm Ski Club Alpine Race Program has been the race series that Thibodeau brought with him. The series of night races typically draw a field of 150 athletes. Team as well as individual results are cumulative throughout the season.

In addition to the Chisholm Race Series, Black Mountain played host to a number of key alpine events last winter including the Leavitt Invitational, the KVAC/MVC Championships, the State Class “A” Championships, the State Middle School Championships and the State High School Shootout. The Chisholm Ski Club alpine race program is thankful for the support provided by several Maine organizations. Recognizing the mission of the Chisholm Ski Club and the Maine Winter Sports Center in support of youth programs, Bangor Savings Bank, Rumford Hospital, and United Insurance all stepped forward to support the programs at Black Mountain.

Nate Nicols a senior at Mountain Valley High School and the 2012 Maine State Champion in both slalom and giant slalom perhaps summed it all up best by saying: “My experience this year [2012 Season] with the Chisholm Ski Club Alpine Race Program was one to remember. It not only helped me reach my personal goal of winning a state championship, the program helped me do better than that, and I won two titles. Running gates every weekend with the great coaching gave me a lot of confidence to ski with the attitude to win. With determination, perseverance, and courage anyone, anywhere can be anything they want to be.”

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Chisholm Ski Club Youth Cross-Country Program

This winter, 6-10 year olds throughout the River Valley will enjoy cross-country ski lessons at Black Mountain Ski Resort. The Chisholm Ski Club Youth Cross-Country Program is in collaboration with the L.L. Bean Healthy Hometowns managed by the Maine Winter Sports Center.

The planning committee for this program included local skiers, including members of the Chisholm Ski Club, Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC), and Black Mountain Ski Resort. The program features fun, activity-based lessons throughout January and February.

According to Roger Arsenault, Black Mountain Ski Resort board chairperson, “This program will create an opportunity for young children in the River Valley to learn a lifetime sport with skilled, caring coaches.”

The program provides six-weeks of lessons and a day pass for each session for the young skiers. The cost of the program is $50. Rental skis for the season are available for $55, which includes skis, boots, and poles. Limited scholarships are available for those in need.

“We’re looking for more volunteer coaches. If you love cross-country skiing and enjoy kids, please consider joining our friendly group,” said Arsenault. “We’ll have a training session for coaches before the program begins. Skiers from all ability levels will be welcome to assist with this program.”

Since its inception in 1999, MWSC has been dedicated to creating a healthier, more active, outdoor lifestyle throughout Maine. Healthy Hometowns, the community development division of MWSC, meets this challenge by providing resources such as equipment, curriculum, and training to volunteers and professionals across the state. Internationally recognized as one of the top youth development programs in the world, Healthy Hometowns seeks to build the active, outdoor culture of Maine with an emphasis on accessibility, sustainability, and quality along with fun.

More information on the Chisholm Ski Club Youth Cross-Country Program will be available through the websites of Black Mountain Ski Resort (www.skiblackmountain.org) and the Chisholm Ski Club (www.chisholmskiclub.org). Flyers will be distributed in local elementary schools and a Facebook site will be launched.

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Sponsored Free Ski Nights

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but, thanks to our Sponsors, there is such a thing as free skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

With the support of local business, Black Mountain Ski Resort is able to continue our tradition of Sponsored Free Ski Nights for the seventh season. No gimmicks here, Free Ski Nights are exactly that: you can ski, snowboard and tube for free from 4-9 p.m.

Black Mountain Ski Resort is extremely grateful to all the local businesses that sponsored Free Ski Nights this year:

• January 10 – Oxford Federal Credit Union

• February 14 – Franklin Savings Bank

To enjoy any of the evenings of FREE winter fun, all you need to do is sign in. All dates will feature free skiing, snowboarding, and of course, tubing. Cafe will be open for snacks and the Last Run Lounge for your favorite beverages.

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Snowmobile Hill Climbs

The thrill of snowmobile racing returns to Black Mountain! With two Hill Climb events this winter, you do not want to miss the roar of engines on the mountain or the opportunity to earn on-snow bragging rights! Each Hill Climb will feature timed runs to determine seeding, the top eight (8) racers in each class will move on to the Uphill Elimination event. During the elimination races, snowmobiles will race head-to-head to determine the top dog. First racer to the top wins each round until only one is left standing.

In order to give racers maximum chances to race, each Hill Climb will feature Grudge Matches: two racers head-to-head. Classes offered will be men and women, 500cc to open.

The Snowmobile Hill Climbs will be held on December 15th, 2012 and February 8th, 2013.

Registration Cost

Pre-registration – $15

Day-of registration – $20

Grudge Match entry – $5

Gate Fee (For Racers and Spectators)

5 and Under – Free

6 and Up – $5

For more information or to preregister, call 364-8977 or visit www.skiblackmountain.org.

Black Mountain Ski Resort: WinterFest Weekend, March 1-3, 2013

Join us for WinterFest from March 1-3, 2013 for a weekend-long celebration of winter. Fireworks, music, free ski clinics, horse-drawn wagon rides and more make Black Mountain Ski Resort the place to be.

The weekend kicks off on Friday with Rebecca Shaw Ski Day complete with live music and on-snow activities all day long. With our standard $15 lift tickets, there is no reason not to enjoy a long weekend of fun starting on Friday. Saturday and Sunday the weekend kicks into high gear with activities for the entire family. You have family members that do not ski or snowboard? Bring them along anyways; we have something for everyone all weekend long. Along with The Edge Tubing Park being open all weekend, Black Mountain will be featuring horse-drawn wagon rides and dog-sled rides through the woods. Scenic chairlift rides will offer fantastic views of Maine’s Western Mountains and end with a barbecue at the summit.

Since Black Mountain loves to introduce people to skiing and snowboarding, the ski school will be offering free learn-to-ski-and-snowboard clinics for WinterFest Weekend. It is the perfect opportunity to try something new. One of the highlights of the weekend comes on Saturday evening with sledding under the lights. It’s all the fun you had as a kid on the local hill, without the hike. The Novice Chair will be open for sledding convenience. Once the sun sets on Saturday evening, the trails will be lit by the Annual Torchlight Parade and a spectacular firework display.

Be sure to join us for WinterFest, a snow-filled weekend your family will not forget. For more information on the weekend’s events call us at (207) 364-8977 or email [email protected].

History of Skiing in Maine: Maine Winter Sports Center

Since 1999, the Maine Winter Sports Center staff and volunteers have worked around the state to re-establish skiing as a lifestyle in Maine. At the heart of this effort is the goal of creating a new economic and cultural model for Maine’s rural communities – one that keeps young families together and attracts businesses looking for a high quality of life for their employees. In this model, community-run nonprofit ski areas provide an epicenter for programs for all ages and serve as economic engines for these communities.

Maine has a rich history of skiing dating back to 1870, when 21 families were recruited from Stockholm, Sweden to help settle northern Maine. The climate and topography were very similar and Governor Joshua Chamberlain thought the hard-working Swedish temperament was just what was called for to settle the vast, virgin forests of Aroostook County.

They cut roads, built villages and made new lives for themselves. They also brought skiing with them to their new home as an inseparable part of their lifestyle. During the winter they skied for transportation and hunting – and also for recreation. Soon after their arrival, winter carnivals began to develop with sprinting races, jumping competitions and marathon races that covered 180 miles in four days. These were truly hearty people who loved the winter.

Skiing spread throughout the state and into the mountains of Western Maine to towns like Rumford, Livermore Falls and Farmington. Olympians like Chummy Broomhall, Jim Miller, Jack Lufkin, Leslie Bancroft, Dan Simoneau, Marcus Nash, Julie Parisien and Kirsten Clark, to name a few, are the products of that heritage.

In the past 30 years the economic foundations of these communities have come under intense pressure. Shoe production and woolen mills have virtually disappeared from Western Maine towns and the paper mills have fallen on hard times as well. The potato and lumber industries of Northern Maine have also suffered. The result has been high unemployment rates, an exodus of the young population and a degradation of the quality of life in Maine’s rural communities. In these difficult economic times the communities have had little money to invest in the infrastructure of their communities. Spending on skiing infrastructure has been hit especially hard, creating a vicious cycle of degraded skiing experiences and diminished revenues at the community areas. The result is an alarming rate of ski area closures over the last 20 years and a loss of resources critical to sustaining a skiing culture in Maine.

Over that same period, Mainers – in fact, people all across the U.S. – have become less active in the outdoors, choosing instead to spend their leisure time watching TV, surfing the Internet and pursuing other sedentary activities. Skiing has been replaced by snowmobiling as the dominant outdoor winter pastime in Maine. With Maine at the top nationally in the incidence of childhood smoking, obesity, type II diabetes and asthma, our concern is not only for the future of skiing in Maine, but the health of our children as well. In fact, if the health trends in our state are not addressed, this looming health crisis will bring our economy to its knees within this generation. Increased health care costs, lower productivity, higher mortality rates and higher insurance costs will overwhelm an already-stressed taxpayer base beyond its limits.

With this as the backdrop, a year was taken to develop a comprehensive and integrated community-based economic and cultural development model for the rural communities of Maine. We did a thorough review of programs from around the world and found some common threads running through the programs that had success and missing where there was failure. For more information, visit http://www.mainewsc.org.

Black Mountain Ski Resort: Our Work Is Never Done

The action on a ski mountain does not end with the melting of the snow in the spring. The summer and fall months are crucial for the upkeep, maintenance, and improvement of any ski resort. Here at Black Mountains, we have been working all summer and fall to not only maintain our trail system, but to improve it, so that our customers truly get the most out of their money.

This year we are very excited to announce that Black Mountain Ski Resort has leased new, fully-automated Puma Snow Guns from Snow Machines, Inc. The addition of these guns brings the count of our snow gun fleet up to 12. With all of those snow guns, we realized it was time to upgrade the rest of our system. This year we increased our electrical power installed a water pump at the top of the mountain which will increase the water-pressure at the summit to an adequate level. The increase in water-pressure will allow all of our snow guns to run at full capacity, no matter where they are on the mountain.

Along with the increase to our snowmaking capabilities, we have increased the trail space on the Lower Androscoggin to assist with race day crowding. By widening this trail, we are able to designate a larger area for recreational skiers during races than ever before. We have also created a detour for recreational skiers at the bottom of this so they can avoid the crowds that gather to watch the races.

With an ever-growing system of glades hidden around the mountain and plan for future trail expansion, Black Mountain Ski Resort will be your home of winter fun for many years to come!