Skiing Black Mountain in a new light

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

"For my family and I, this is a dream come true," Chummy Broomhall said as he watched the new triple chairlift bring skiers to the summit of Black Mountain on Jan. 16. "For the last 10 years, we have been hanging on by our teeth to keep Black Mountain open. Now with Maine Winter Sports, we have a beautiful new lodge, more snowmaking, and this great new triple chairlift to the top."

Broomhall, a figurehead at the Rumford ski area since its inception in 1962, said, "I never thought we would see the day. These are exciting times for Black."

The grand opening of Black's new summit lift, more than doubling the area's vertical from 470 feet to 1,150 feet, was far quieter than at other ski areas, no ribbon cutting, TV coverage or dedication by the governor -- just a dozen anxious skiers and riders. Shiny new blue lift towers and cushy chairs, a palatial new pine lodge and a paved parking lot -- all intended purely for locals.

Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) purchased Black, and operates four other community-based Maine ski areas. Andy Shepard, MWSC's CEO said, "Our goal is to re-establish skiing as a lifestyle in the Rumford area by investing in the quality of the skiing experience and in developing programs that engage people of all ages."

Broomhall explained that in its heyday, Black Mountain was a social center and provided healthy recreation for mill employees and their families.

"We used to climb up to ski," said Broomhall, who competed in two Olympics and served in the revered 10 Mountain Division. "We need to bring back that healthy, social activity. Youth obesity is a real problem these days, and part of our program is to get kids outside and exercising."

Tom DeLuca of Hanover said the Nordic terrain at Black is the best in Maine.

"Black has hosted National Championships and Collegiate competitions," he said. "Now that they have improved the alpine side with a triple to the summit and over a thousand feet of vertical, they have made it."

Kate Kelly of Rumford has skied Black for 40 years, her father worked at the mill for 45 years.

"People are coming back to the sport because it is affordable and it is exciting again," said Kelly who worked at Sunday River for 10 years prior to returning to Black.

Posters throughout the expansive new post and beam lodge state, "Historic Black Mountain of Maine, where the past comes alive everyday." That motto is certainly reflected in the flashback prices. Lift ticket prices are the lowest in New England, according to General Manager Terrie Anne Bennett -- $18 a day and a half-day ticket is $11.

I skied Black for the first time with my family on the triple's opening day. The machine-made snow quality and grooming were exceptionally good. The views of the River Valley from the summit are beautiful. We shared the slopes with only a hundred other skiers on that Saturday, a pleasant treat compared to resorts where "skier density "andÊ"peak time" are oft-used phrases.

While Black Mountain's improvements are community based, I recommend a day trip to this up-and-coming, but historic ski area.

Events: U.S. Snowboard Champion Seth Wescott will be at Sugarloaf Feb. 9 for the dedication of the new Superpipe, called "Pipe Dreams." Wescott and other CVA athletes will perform in the pipe as part of the ceremony.Ê

Heather Burke, of Kennebunk, writes ski columns for the Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal. E-mail: skiwriter@adelphia.net