Henniker, NH, January 27, 2014 – Pats Peak, New Hampshire’s premier family snowsports destination, announces its participation in the NE Winter Wild Series on Saturday, February 15, 2014. The series stops at eight New England ski areas including Wachusett Mountain, MA; Suicide Six, VT; Sunday River, ME; Ragged Mountain, NH; Pats Peak, NH; Black Mountain, NH; Mount Sunapee, NH; and Bretton Woods, NH.

The NE Winter Wild Series is an uphilling race with a twist. In classic uphilling, participants ascend a ski slope using equipment of their choice, which might include snowshoes, skis with climbing skins, running shoes equipped with spikes, cross-country skis or just plain running shoes. But in the NE Winter Wild events, the race doesn’t end at the top. Instead, participants crest the top of the mountain and then race down to a finish line at the lodge. They use whatever equipment they wear or carry up to descend the slope. This race begins and ends before the ski lifts are open to the public.

There are four categories of competition:

1) open (Micro-spikes, Yaktrax, running shoes, snowshoes, etc.)

2) track skis (lightweight skating/diagonal gear)

3) telemark (metal-edged skis with a 3-pin or cable binding)

4) heavy metal (alpine skis, randonee bindings, plastic boots).

Prizes are awarded to the top three age group finishers in each category. Every participant gets entered into a raffle for a chance to win prizes including a new pair of skis.

The series includes school-age involvement with students having a chance to earn their school district PTO $5,000, courtesy of The Children’s Fund of the Upper Valley and Lake Sunapee Bank, as part of the Let’s Move initiative. Registration is FREE for school-age racers and they are welcome to compete in any of the NE Winter Wild categories. At the end of the season, the district with the highest percentage of participation will win $5,000 for a project of its choice.

New Hampshire resident Kate Robbins wasn’t sure about getting up early to run up and down a mountain, but after a few races, she was hooked. “It was exhilarating, exhausting, beautiful, and great fun with super people,” she said. Her 16-year-old daughter Liesel agreed. “How often do you get to say you conquered a mountain and still have a whole day before you,” she said. “What a way to start your day!”

Series registration is available online at www.newinterwild.com and race-day registration is available for all of the series events:

January 4, 2014: Wachusett Mountain, MA

January 11, 2014: Suicide Six, VT

January 25, 2014: Sunday River, ME

February 1, 2014: Ragged Mountain, NH

February 15, 2014: Pats Peak, NH

March 1, 2014: Mount Sunapee, NH

March 8, 2014: Black Mountain, NH

March 15, 2014: Bretton Woods, NH (Series Championship)

Additional details on events, rules, registration and Let’s Move program can be found on the New England Winter Wild website at www.newinterwild.com.
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PATS PEAK is in its 51st consecutive ski and snowboard season under the Patenaude family ownership. PATS PEAK has 26 well-groomed trails for all abilities, 8 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 Ride 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