Whaleback Mountain, NH, Needs $210,000 to Open This Season

Whaleback Mountain, located adjacent to I-89 in Enfield, New Hampshire, is a hidden gem on the East Coast in need of dire help. With 30 trails and four lifts, Whaleback is the perfect place for any beginner or diehard Easy Coast skier. Additionally, it is one of the most easily accessible resorts on the East Coast, just feet from the highway. One large obstacle lies in the hands of Whaleback, where it must raise $210,000 by December 1 in order to stay operative this upcoming season.

Despite its accessibility, Whaleback faces a critical challenge. Without funding to fix the Summit Chair, an entire community of skiers, snowboarders, and local families alike could all lose access to a beloved winter home. Beyond just skiing, Whaleback supports local jobs and contributes to the regional economy, making its survival important for the surrounding communities.

Whaleback’s Summit Chair needs repair, forcing Whaleback to end last season early. It’s closure is heavily impeding the start of the mountain’s ski season. The summit chair is a Heron Poma double lift from 1970 that is responsible for access to all of its 700 vertical feet. After unusual noise led to an inspection, it was found that there was extensive failed gearbox bearings; a costly fix. This caused the resort to close the lift in February of 2025, and has been shut down since. More research was done and revealed more damage then initially expected, which is the reason why such a large quantity of money is needed. Adding on, Whaleback is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit ski mountain, one of few in the industry, which is why $210,000 must come from the help of generous donations from its surrounding community.

A new surface lift along with unlimited uphill access is a temporary solution, but how long can it last? The new surface lift will be on Lower Spout, and dropping skiers off just atop the racer’s hut in an attempt to keep guests coming in despite the ski area’s main chairlift not running. The surface lift will keep Canyon and Scrimshaw trails accessible, in addition to the soon-to-be announced new connector trails that aim to increase terrain variety. Nonetheless, this is a temporary solution to a lasting issue that must soon be faced head on. With the $210,000, a temporary solution can be solved, helping boast one more season before inevitably a new chairlift must be installed. Due to this inconvenience, Whaleback is offering a $99 season pass—one of the most affordable in the entirety of the United States.

A small ski area like Whaleback surviving this setback would demonstrate its resilience and the immense support of its important, strong, and local surrounding community. Preserving its independence allows for a unique, community-driven experience and teamwork that larger corporate resorts often can’t replicate, along with demonstrating how Whaleback is in it for the love of the sport, rather then greed and profit. Supporting Whaleback’s goal to raise $210,000 means more than just skiing; it’s about fostering local pride and proving that small, community focused organizations still hold a strong place in our skiing community.

Visit Whaleback Mountain’s website to learn about supporting its longevity.