Henniker, NH – New Hampshire’s Pats Peak ski area in Henniker will commemorate its 50th consecutive ski and snowboard season under the same local family ownership this winter with a new ski trail, a new arrival area, expanded snowmaking, a bag jump and more.
“We are excited to enter into our 50th consecutive ski and snowboard season. We are fortunate that ownership is committed to improving the operation on a yearly basis, even after a less than stellar season, due to lack of natural snowfall,” says Kris Blomback, General Manager of Pats Peak. “We pride ourselves on providing excellent snow conditions. This season we will continue to fine tune one of the most powerful snowmaking systems in New England by adding additional snow guns to our already impressive arsenal. For the past few plus seasons we have been the first to open 100 percent of our trails and slopes. This investment will help us to honor that commitment to bring our skiers and riders the best conditions.”
The arrival area at Pats Peak has received a major makeover this summer. The new post and beam pavilion is compliments of the craftsmanship by Bensonwood Timber Frames of Walpole, N.H. This new entryway between the lodges is complete with a warming area, brick walkway, stone walls and granite steps. It is finished off with a copper roof and a clock tower.
“We are obsessed with offering the best guest experience,” asserts Blomback. “One of our major improvements this season is for both the winter and summer banquet season. Our arrival area has been re-designed to include a beautiful timber structure, warming area and clock tower. We feel that this will ‘set the stage’ for a welcoming entrance.”
For freeriders, Pats Peak will add a new Air Bag to its F5 terrain park. The Air Bag is an inflatable cushion similar to those used in the world of professional stunts. By placing the Air Bag behind a jump it is designed to offer a safe opportunity to practice all kind of freestyle jumps providing a soft, cushy landing. It is used for training and entertainment for both professional and amateur skiers and riders. Electrical blowers are placed in the sides of the bag to keep it afloat while it is being used.
A new ski run off the summit was added on the “backside” of the mountain this summer. This trail will feed into the middle part of the Breeze trail for a second novice run off the top of the mountain. The new trail, the name of which will be determined via a Facebook contest, is the first step in a long term expansion project that includes several trails and a lift off the mountain’s backside, pending environmental permit approval.
Snowmaking efforts at Pats Peak get another boost this year with the addition of six new fan guns from Snow Machines Inc and HKD Turbo that require 20 to 25 percent less compressed air than other technologies, while putting out more snow in marginal temperature conditions.
“We will be able to open more terrain faster and sustain it longer through stretches with marginal temperatures,” says Blomback. “Also, using this type of snowmaking technology provides us with substantial savings in energy costs,” who adds that some of the ski area’s snowmaking pipe has been upgraded as well.
New this year, Pats Peak has earned the distinction of becoming the first Burton Women’s Learn to Ride Center in New Hampshire. Burton’s specialized women’s rental equipment and snowboard lessons will be offered for women every day, but female snowboarders are guaranteed a 100% Women’s Only lesson, at 11:30 a.m. every Saturday. Pats Peak is already a Burton Learn To Ride Center (LTR) for Adults and Kids with LTR Boards designed to accelerate learning by utilizing beginner-specific equipment.
This season 100 pairs of Dalbello adult ski boots, 100 Elan 140cm skis, 200 Elan junior skis and 125 Burton snowboards, bindings and snowboard boots have been added to the Pats Peak rental fleet, and the ski area’s mountain operations team has slapped a new coat of paint on the exterior of the resort’s base lodges. New carpet has been laid in the Valley Lodge and main entrance area, and a new backup generator has been installed to service the base area.