Pats Peak

Pats Peak
LocationHenniker, New Hampshire, U.S.
Coordinates43°09′48″N 71°47′45″W / 43.16333°N 71.79583°W / 43.16333; -71.79583
Vertical770 ft (230 m)
Top elevation1,460 ft (450 m)
Base elevation690 ft (210 m)
Skiable area103 acres (420,000 m2)
Trails28
Longest run1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Lift system4 Triples, 2 Doubles, 2 Magic Carpets, 1 J-bar, 2 Tows
Websitewww.patspeak.com

Pats Peak is an independent alpine ski resort in Henniker, New Hampshire, in the United States. The ski area opened in 1963 and has a vertical drop of 770 feet (230 m). It is roughly a 90-minute drive from Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

The four Patenaude brothers bought the original 200-acre (0.81 km2) plot of land for the Peak from their father, Merle Patenaude. It has been owned continuously by the Patenaude family since it opened, with three original owners selling their parts of the land to the fourth.[2][1] The resort has become a popular destination for night skiing.

Trails and lifts[edit]

Most trails are named after winds, such as Cyclone, Hurricane, Twister and Tornado. The trail network is 50% novice, 21% intermediate, 12% advanced, and 17% expert.[2] Ski magazine said it has the best slalom skiing terrain in New Hampshire (FIS Race Trail, Expert).[2] The mountain contains two or three (depending on conditions) terrain parks and nine official glades.

Pats Peak has an alpine race team in the Central Division of the NHARA racing league. The team encompasses J6, J5, J4, J3, J2, and J1 age groups. The team is mostly coached by volunteers.

In the 2013-14 season, Pats Peak opened an expansion on the east side of Craney Hill. Named Cascade Basin, it includes a triple chair lift covering 370 vertical feet. In 2017, Pats Peak installed a used CTEC Triple Chairlift to replace the aging Peak Double Chairlift. The new Peak Triple was formerly the Snowdance Triple at Ascutney Mountain Resort in Vermont. [3]

Pats Peak has six chairlifts[4] and two magic carpets. There is also a rope tow in one of the terrain parks.

Name Type Builder Built Notes
Peak Triple CTEC 2017 Has a loading carpet.
Cascade Basin Hall 2013
Hurricane Borvig 1977
Turbulence Partek 2003
Vortex Double Hall 1998
Valley Double Müller 1969
Gusty J-Bar Hall 1997

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "NewEnglandSkiHistory.com: Pats Peak". NewEnglandSkiHistory.com. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Pats Peak: The Mountain". Pats Peak Ski Area. 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  3. ^ "NewEnglandSkiHistory.com: Pats Peak - Cascade Basin". NewEnglandSkiHistory.com. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Pats Peak, NH". 28 October 2018.

External links[edit]