Pats Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pats Peak |
|
|---|---|
| Location | Henniker, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 43°09′48″N 71°47′45″W / 43.16333°N 71.79583°W |
| Vertical | 770 ft (230 m) |
| Top elevation | 1,460 ft (450 m) |
| Base elevation | 690 ft (210 m) |
| Skiable area | 103 acres (420,000 m2) |
| Runs | 28 |
| Longest run | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
| Lift system | 4 Triples, 2 Doubles, 2 Magic Carpets, 1 J-bar, 2 Tows |
Pats Peak is a fun ski resort in Henniker, New Hampshire, USA. It's a great place for skiing and snowboarding! This mountain opened way back in 1963. It has a "vertical drop" of 770 feet (230 m). This means the difference in height from the very top to the bottom of the ski trails. Pats Peak is about a 90-minute drive from Boston, Massachusetts.
The Patenaude family has owned Pats Peak since it started. Four brothers, the Patenaudes, bought the land from their dad, Merle Patenaude. The family has kept the resort running ever since!
Contents
What Can You Do at Pats Peak?
Pats Peak has lots of cool things for skiers and snowboarders. It has many different lifts to take you up the mountain. There are also trails for all skill levels, from beginners to experts.
Ski Lifts and How They Work
Pats Peak has six main chairlifts. These include the Hurricane Triple, Cascade Basin Triple, Turbulence Triple, Peak Triple, Vortex Double, and Valley Double. A "triple" lift means it can carry three people at once. A "double" lift carries two.
For beginners, there are special areas. One has a "handle tow," which pulls you along a flat area. Another has a Magic Carpet. This is like a moving sidewalk that takes you up a gentle slope. Pats Peak even has the longest Magic Carpet in New Hampshire, called the Bluster Carpet! There's also a rope tow in one of the terrain parks.
Ski Trails and Their Names
Most of the trails at Pats Peak are named after winds. You'll find names like Cyclone, Hurricane, Twister, and Tornado. There are 28 different trails to explore!
The trails are set up for everyone:
- 50% are for beginners (novice).
- 21% are for intermediate skiers.
- 12% are for advanced skiers.
- 17% are for expert skiers.
Ski magazine once said that Pats Peak has the best area for "slalom skiing" in New Hampshire. Slalom skiing is a type of ski race where you go around poles very quickly.
Terrain Parks and Glades
If you like jumps and tricks, Pats Peak has two or three "terrain parks." The number depends on the snow conditions. Terrain parks have features like jumps, rails, and boxes for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. The mountain also has nine official "glades." Glades are areas where you can ski through trees, but they are kept safe for skiing.
Pats Peak Race Team
Pats Peak has its own alpine race team. This team is part of the NHARA racing league's Central Division. Kids of different age groups, from J6 to J1, can join the team. Many of the coaches are volunteers who love skiing and helping young racers.
Mountain Upgrades and Expansions
Pats Peak has made some exciting changes over the years to make skiing even better.
Cascade Basin Expansion
In the 2013-2014 ski season, Pats Peak opened a new area called Cascade Basin. This expansion added more trails and a new triple chairlift. The new lift takes you up 370 feet (110 m) of vertical height. It's a great addition for skiers looking for more runs.
New Peak Triple Chairlift
In 2017, Pats Peak installed a new triple chairlift called the Peak Triple. This lift replaced an older double chairlift. The new Peak Triple used to be at another ski resort in Vermont called Ascutney Mountain Resort. It was moved to Pats Peak to give skiers a faster ride up the mountain.
