Pats Peak Explained

Pats Peak
Location:Henniker, New Hampshire, U.S.
Coordinates:43.1633°N -71.7958°W
Vertical:770feet
Top Elevation:1460feet
Base Elevation:690feet
Skiable Area:103acres
Number Trails:28
Longest Run:1.5miles
Liftsystem:4 Triples, 2 Doubles, 2 Magic Carpets, 1 J-bar, 2 Tows

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 . It is roughly a 90-minute drive from Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

The four Patenaude brothers bought the original 200acres 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] The resort has become a popular destination for night skiing.

Trails and lifts

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. Ski magazine said it has the best slalom skiing terrain in New Hampshire (FIS Race Trail, Expert). 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 2017 Has a loading carpet.
Cascade Basin 2013
Hurricane 1977
Turbulence 2003
Vortex Double 1998
Valley Double 1969
Gusty J-Bar 1997

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NewEnglandSkiHistory.com: Pats Peak. 4 June 2014. 25 March 2015. NewEnglandSkiHistory.com.
  2. Web site: Pats Peak: The Mountain. 2014. 25 March 2015. Pats Peak Ski Area.
  3. Web site: NewEnglandSkiHistory.com: Pats Peak - Cascade Basin. 1 November 2014. 25 March 2015. NewEnglandSkiHistory.com.
  4. Web site: Pats Peak, NH . 28 October 2018 .