Pinkham Notch, NH – In the summer of 1933, the depression era born Civilian Conservation Corps, armed with axes and cross-cut saws, started clearing the Wildcat Trail. It was one of the first ski racing trails built in the United States designed by Charley Proctor, the all-around ski champion of Canada in 1927, and was designated as a class “A” racing trail. To celebrate its history, Wildcat Mountain invites outdoor and ski enthusiasts alike to visit Saturday, August 24 to enjoy a day of guided hikes, tours, displays, BBQ, music, and more as it marks 80 years of the Wildcat Trail.

“Wildcat Mountain is a very historical New England ski area, well known in the ski industry, and I feel fortunate to be here to take part in this celebration,” said incoming General Manager Brian Heon. “The summer celebration gives a bit of a nod to the coming 2013/14 ski season and we’ll be planning additional events this winter to celebrate 80 years of the Wildcat Trail.”

The event schedule for the summer celebration taking place Saturday, August 24 includes:

10:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Scenic gondola ride up with guided summit tour and hike down the Wildcat Trail (weather/conditions permitting). Hosted by the Appalachian Mountain Club (scenic gondola ticket purchase required).

10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. – New Hampshire’s highest scenic gondola, ZipRider zip-line cable ride and lift-serviced disc golf, (weather/conditions permitting, ticket purchase required).

11:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Grills will be fired up on the deck of the main base lodge offering BBQ items available for purchase. Beer and wine also available.

12 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Historical displays and information presented by the New England Ski Museum, Museum of the White Mountains and the U.S. Forest Service highlighting the Civilian Conservation Corps, their tools, history of the Wildcat Trail, as well as information on today’s volunteer trail maintenance programs.

2 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Free, live music performed by Mo’ Blues on the lawn at Wildcat Mountain.

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Wildcat Mountain, a year-round destination, provides both exhilarating and one-of-a-kind opportunities to enjoy views and scenery that have been consistently voted #1 in North America. In addition to the ZipRider zip-line cable ride and the state’s highest scenic gondola, Wildcat Mountain offers lift-serviced disc golf, hiking, weekly guided tours and outdoor interpretive programs with the Tin Mountain Conservation Center and Appalachian Mountain Club. This summer, Wildcat will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Wildcat Trail Saturday, August 24 with a guided hike, presentations, live music and more. All rates and information can be found at www.skiwildcat.com or by calling 1-888-SKI-WILD.