Photo: Black Mountain / Facebook
Last week, a 39-year-old skier named Eric Page died while riding alone at New Hampshire’s Black Mountain. Jackson, New Hampshire police reported that there were no witnesses to his accident. He’d gone off trail, crashed, and was later found unresponsive. Tragically, ski patrol was unable to help Page and brought him back to the base of the mountain where he was pronounced dead.
Initially, Black Mountain General Manager Erik Mogensen released a statement on behalf of the small independent mountain offering his condolences to Page’s family and friends. It’s a step that’s expected in tragic moments like this that sadly, are very common. Skier and snowboarder deaths aren’t unheard of and while their individual circumstances are worth alerting others about — after all, information regarding dangers could save a life down the road — it’s safe to say we all get numb to the news sometimes.
“The PR playbooks say that publicly, we should offer condolences, few other details, and move on to new messaging as soon as possible,” Mogensen later admitted in a heartfelt letter where he went off script and shared his true thoughts and feelings following Page’s death.
As Mogensen puts it, he works in an industry that “is focused on profit over people,” which is certainly the sentiment of a lot of skiers around the world. So he penned his letter and shared some poignant thoughts worth reading. Here’s Erik Mogensen’s letter in full:
Dear Black Mountain Family,
We were on top. A remarkable season on all counts. Coming to the end of a perfect spring weekend that included a beautiful Easter service in the sun at the Alpine Cabin, Black Mountain was shining in every way.
I had taken my boots off for the day and was just sitting down for dinner when the radio call no one ever wants to get at a ski area came in. “Injured skier, appears to be unconscious and not breathing.”
I have never been a GM of a mountain. I have enjoyed the ups and downs of this ski season, and the bigger purpose of what the success of Black Mountain has ended up meaning to so many people near and far. The mountain, the staff, and our customers were really beginning to hone in on our mission of this place being more than a place to ski, but instead a place to gather. Powder turns and parties. Champagne and celebrations. All in all, an inspiring comeback story for a mountain, its community, and a much-needed example for an industry that is focused on profit over people.
We were on top.
Death in skiing is not something we like to talk about. We all know that people die every day, but when it happens while skiing it feels especially unfair. The PR playbooks say that publicly, we should offer condolences, few other details, and move on to new messaging as soon as possible. How in the world do we turn back to messaging about parties and champagne?
On Monday, I got to meet Eric’s father and stepmother when they came to pick up Eric’s car from the parking lot. The next day the three of us rode the double to the summit and visited the site where the accident took place. As difficult and tragic as the last 72 hours were for them, the compassion, strength, and positivity that these two humans displayed was astonishing. Our conversations focused almost entirely on how much Eric treasured the sport and culture of skiing. Even deep in the valley, they kept talking about Eric’s time at the peak.
Just like Eric’s family, we have to learn, grow, and grieve in the valley. But never should we stop climbing to the top of every mountain at every opportunity. The Black Mountain Family has been charging hard all season and overcoming challenges daily. This is a big one.
We are going to keep going. We will be open this weekend. Spinning lifts from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Then, on Saturday, May 3, we will have the biggest celebration this place has ever seen for its 90th birthday. We will ski, party, and celebrate the comeback that Black Mountain has become. We will have a new perspective as to how important the culture of skiing is to so many people. Especially Eric and his family.
Thanks for being here. Never forget how lucky we all are to be here.
Erik Mogensen.
General Manager
