The longest continuously operating ski area run by the same owner.

Henniker, NH, January 5, 2013 – Pats Peak, New Hampshire’s premier family snowsports destination, celebrates 50 years under the Patenaude family ownership, which makes it the longest continuously operating ski area run by the same owner. Saturday, January 5, 2013 marked the 50th Anniversary of Pats Peak.

At Noon, the two riders in the #50 Golden Chair on the Peak Double Chair Lift, Kyle and Dylan, were pleasantly surprised by Boris and Snowball and each given a gift basket of Pats Peak memorabilia.

The center of the celebration was a 50-foot long cake. Hannaford of Concord, NH made and decorated the 50-foot long cake, which featured photos of Pats Peak’s history from its groundbreaking to the newest improvements. Wayne and Sally Patenaude, the owners of Pats Peak, with their grandchildren cut the cake. Skiers and Riders gathered in the main lodge to sing “Happy Birthday to Pats Peak” and eat cake!

The fun continued with an Après-Ski Party in the Sled Pub with a Harpoon Beer Promotion, Live Music by Nick’s Other Band and contests for Best Retro Outfit, Oldest Pats Peak Trail Map and Oldest Pats Peak Brochure.

“It was a great day to celebrate with all our guests. Lots of people joined us to enjoy a piece of cake to celebrate our 50th birthday. Family is what we have been all about for fifty years and it was great to celebrate with everyone”, says Wayne Patenaude, Owner of Pats Peak.

History of PATS PEAK:
Pats Peak opened for skiing on January 5, 1963. The four Patenaude brothers – Joe, David, Wayne and Stuart – combined Yankee ingenuity with the several businesses owned in the family to hand-fashion a ski area. Back in 1962, the four Patenaude brothers spent a lot of time skiing. They also spent a lot of time standing in lift lines. They decided to go home to Henniker and build their own ski mountain.

The Pats Peak Lodges are built from lumber cut from the mountain that was owned by their father, Merle Patenaude. Beams 30 feet long were hewn at the family’s sawmill. Construction of the main lodge began in the spring of 1962 by the brothers, friends and family. The Peak Chair, a 1961 Model, was built in the Fall of 1962 in time for opening in January 1963.

Pats Peak was the first mountain in New Hampshire to have snowmaking in the 1960’s and was instrumental in getting other ski areas operational. Pats Peak is a learn-to-ski and snowboard mountain. Generations have learned to ski and ride at Pats Peak.

Pats Peak remains today what it was decades ago: a first-name place where friends and families return every season.

Every year Pats Peak continually focuses to improve its facility and experience for skiers and snowboarders. For this season, $500,000 was invested in improvements including an upgraded arrival area, a new trail, Women’s Burton Learn To Ride snowboard equipment, upgraded snowmaking capabilities, new rental equipment, base lodge upgrades, a new generator as well as a big air bag for the Terrain Park.

Pats Peak has 23 well-groomed trails, three terrain parks, a snowtubing park, 10 high capacity lifts, 100 percent snowmaking, night skiing on all trails, three separate beginner areas and some of the most challenging terrain in Southern New Hampshire. They also offer the famous M&M cookies, which have been part of the Pats Peak tradition for 50 years.

Pats Peak has a 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.

For the best deal around — POP (Pay One Price) Saturday Nights Under the Lights for one low price of $45, starting Saturday, December 29, 2012 through the end of the season, includes Skiing, Snowboarding, Tubing, Rentals, Lesson Tips, Bonfires and Entertainment.

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