Henniker, NH, August 5, 2014– PATS PEAK, southern New Hampshire’s favorite mountain, enters into its 52nd consecutive ski and snowboard season under the same local family ownership. Exciting improvements are in store for the 2014/2015 season including two new trails and one new glade as part of the Cascade Basin expansion. Cascade Basin is a new area on the “backside” of the main mountain. It was opened for skiing/riding on December 19, 2013 with four trails, one glade and a triple chair lift. In addition to the new terrain, capital improvements include (7) additional SMI Snowmaking Fan Guns; (20) additional energy-efficient HKD Snowmaking Guns; new rental equipment; new Snowsports School, Race, Park Crew and Fun Squad uniforms; wireless high-speed internet access for guests; new LED lighting in the base area; and new carpeting for fresh tracks in the Rental Shop.

Kris Blomback, General Manager, commented, “We are continuing our commitment to give back to our skiers/riders with exciting improvements every season. We are excited to continue with the Cascade Basin expansion for this upcoming season. We understand that quality snowmaking is important therefore we continue to upgrade our snowmaking system to be sure to give our skiers the best snow surface possible.”

Cascade Basin (See Image), a completely new area on the “backside” of the main mountain, made its debut on December 19, 2013 with a new triple chairlift, four new trails and one new glade. For the 2014/2015 season, two additional trails and one new glade will be added.

The new beginner trail, Cascade Brook, will meander and follow the contour lines nicely with some great twists and turns. Adventure seekers will be able to pop off skiers left into a new gladed section.

The second trail, Scirocco (shuh-rok-oh) is a black diamond trail that falls away skiers’ right off of the Crosswind trail. This trail cuts to the left, then right through some trees all the while giving skiers/riders some of the best sun and bumps on the mountain. The trail will drop skiers/riders off at the bottom of the lift where they can catch a break before the next run.

These new trails will have 100% snowmaking coverage to continue to provide quality snow surfaces. Future plans include night skiing and additional terrain parks.

Blomback stated, “We received many rave reviews on the new area last season. Our skiers and riders enjoyed exploring the new terrain. We are excited to showcase the new trails and glade this upcoming season.”

-Additional Energy-Efficient Snowmaking Guns

Every year the snowmaking efforts gain enhancements to provide even more snowmaking power to the trails. This season seven additional Fan Guns from Snow Machines Inc. will be added to the snowmaking arsenal to improve snow output. Fan guns require 80-85% less compressed air than other technologies, while putting out more snow in marginal temperature conditions.

An additional 20 new low energy snowmaking towers from HKD Snowmakers will also be added to the fleet.

Pats Peak was the first ski area in New Hampshire to offer snowmaking and continues today to be an industry leader.

“We will be able to open more terrain faster and sustain it longer through stretches with marginal temperatures. Also, using this type of snowmaking technology provides us with substantial savings in energy costs, which dovetails nicely with our ‘Green Peak’ initiatives”, says Blomback.

Pats Peak is home to northern New England’s largest rental shop. Every season the Starting Gate Rental Shop continues to add to its already impressive rental fleet. This season PATS PEAK has invested over $100,000 in new rental equipment including skis, boots, junior skis, junior boots, twin tip skis, ski poles, helmets, Burton Learn-to-Ride snowboards, bindings and snowboard boots.

The state-of-the-art 9,600 square foot Rental Shop provides fast service to renters along with a carpet lift that takes guests and their equipment up to the slopes.

-New Outdoor Employee Uniforms

The Pats Peak Ski & Snowboard School Instructors will have a new look this season as their new Avalanche Ski Wear uniform jackets will be a royal blue color. This change will certainly be noticed around the mountain with over 300 ski and snowboard instructors wearing them. The Pats Peak Race Department will have a new green color. The Fun Squad will also have new uniform jackets in red and the Park Crew will have new orange jackets.

-Updated High-Speed Internet Service

And finally if all goes according to plan, we will have 10 times the wireless internet access capabilities in our lodge with an all new high-speed internet service.

More about PATS PEAK:
PATS PEAK is beginning its 52nd consecutive ski and snowboard season under the Patenaude family ownership. PATS PEAK has 28 well-groomed trails for all abilities, 9 gladed areas, 3 terrain parks, a snowtubing park, 11 lifts, 100 percent snowmaking and some of the most challenging skiing in Southern New Hampshire.

PATS PEAK has a Weekday Learn to Ski and Snowboard Program for more than 8,000 kids from over 100 local schools. There are more than 70 Adult/Corporate Racing teams in the Adult/Corporate Racing League. Many adults participate in the weekday Adult Ski & Snowboard Clinics for all ability levels. PATS PEAK has 100% of its trails lit for night skiing/riding and is one of the state’s most accessible learn-to-ski-and-snowboard mountains, with three separate beginner areas.

During the “Other Season of PATS PEAK”, PATS PEAK Banquet Center is the perfect location for wedding receptions, parties, company meetings, company outings, or any social gathering!

PATS PEAK is located in Henniker, NH, just twenty minutes from Concord, forty minutes from Manchester, and ninety minutes from Boston. The latest information, snow conditions, photos and events are available at www.patspeak.com or call 1-888-PATS PEAK (1-888-728-7732).

PATS PEAK can be reached:

By telephone at 603-428-3245
By FAX at 603-428-7821
24-hour snow conditions at 1-888-PATS-PEAK
Online at www.patspeak.com