About US
Black Mountain Nordic provides an incredible community service of grooming and maintaining nordic trails at Sibley Lake, Cutler Hill, South Park, and more.
Our HISTORY
Black Mountain Nordic’s story began in 1978 with the first groomed ski trail in the northern Bighorn Mountains. This 10K loop, located behind the Blue Spruce Lodge (now Elk View Inn), was the vision of local skier Dale Jacobson and served as the course for the annual Cloud Peak Classic Ski Race. At the same time, founding board member, Curt Schwamb, and some of his buddies explored and marked a trail system in the Sibley Lake area.
By 1982, the Blue Spruce Lodge trails were abandoned due to conflicts with snowmobilers, and Sibley Lake became the primary focus. That same year, volunteers erected a canvas wall tent for skiers, which was replaced by a more permanent warming hut built by the Bighorn National Forest in 1986. Over the next several years, the trail system expanded significantly, and in 1995, a new parking lot was built by WYDOT, which led to a substantial increase in trail usage. Increased usage also brought an increase in conflicts between skiers and dogs. In 2001, Black Mountain Nordic began grooming operations at Cutler Hill to create a dedicated, dog-friendly trail system. This effort was followed by a Bighorn National Forest order in 2005 that made it illegal to have dogs on groomed trails at Sibley Lake during the winter. In response to these changes, the Black Mountain Nordic Club was officially created as a 501(c)4 non-profit in 2006.
Over the next two decades, the organization grew steadily. In 2017, the Sibley Lake warming hut was expanded, and in 2022, the organization transitioned to a 501(c)3 non-profit and changed its name to Black Mountain Nordic, allowing for more funding opportunities.
The organization continues to evolve and grow. In 2023, a mobile warming hut was created for Cutler Hill and the organization hired its first paid groomers, moving away from an all-volunteer model. During 2024-2025 season, Black Mountain Nordic hosted the first high school nordic race in the Bighorn Mountains, secured funding for a mobile ski fleet for winter programming, and expanded the Cutler Hill trail system. In 2025, the organization hired a Winter Program Coordinator/Executive Director to lead new programming initiatives, pursue more grants, start a master development plan with the Bighorn National Forest, and ensure the trails are accessible to a wider community.
Black Mountain Nordic HISTORY VISUAL TIMELINE
A Journey Through Nordic Skiing in the Bighorn Mountains
The Beginning
The first groomed ski trails were created in the northern Bighorn Mountains behind Blue Spruce Lodge (present day Elk View Lodge), marking the start of organized nordic skiing in the region.
Expansion Search
Founding board members of Black Mountain Nordic began looking for other nordic ski areas in the Sibley Lake region of the Bighorn Mountains, seeking to expand opportunities.
Shift to Sibley Lake
The ski trails at Blue Spruce Lodge were abandoned due to conflicts with snow-machines. Sibley Lake became the primary focus for nordic skiing. Bighorn Mountain Sports erected a canvas wall-tent for non-motorized winter sport enthusiasts at the present day location of the Sibley Lake warming hut.
First Warming Hut
The Bighorn National Forest, along with volunteers, built the first permanent warming hut at Sibley Lake, providing crucial shelter for winter enthusiasts.
Sibley Lake Bridge Project
First of many bridges built at Sibley Lake. Bridge material was hauled in by BMN volunteers during the winter and built during the summer months.
Parking Infrastructure
WYDOT built the present day Sibley Lake winter parking lot off Highway 14, greatly improving access to the nordic skiing area.
Cutler Hill Operations
Grooming operations started at Cutler Hill to give skiers with dogs a dedicated place to ski, expanding the available terrain.
Dog Restrictions
The Bighorn National Forest created an order stating “no dogs” at Sibley Lake during winter months, a regulation that still exists today.
Official Organization
Black Mountain Nordic Club was officially created with the Wyoming Secretary of State and the IRS, operating as a non-profit 501(c)4 organization.
Hut Expansion
The Sibley Lake warming hut was expanded, making it twice as big to better serve the growing community of winter sports enthusiasts.
Sheridan County SD Ski Team Formation
Sheridan County School District creates a ski team with the support of BMN with grooming operations.
501(c)3 Transition
Black Mountain Nordic, a 501(c)3 was created, giving the organization access to more funding opportunities. The original Black Mountain Nordic Club dissolved.
Professional Operations
Black Mountain Nordic created a mobile warming hut for Cutler Hill and hired paid groomers, moving away from the all-volunteer model toward professional operations.
Major Expansion
Secured funding for a mobile ski fleet to start winter programming, expanded trail systems at Cutler Hill, and hosted the first ever high school nordic race in the Bighorn Mountains.
Leadership & Growth
Hired a Winter Program Coordinator/Executive Director to tackle programming needs and increase funding. Started a master development plan with the Bighorn National Forest and acquired single track grooming implements for snowshoers and fat bikers.
