Bartlett & Pinkham Notch, NH – Summer attraction operations remain in full swing at both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain, but major improvements & initiatives for the 2012/2013 winter season are taking place at both ski areas as fall approaches.

Attitash Mountain Resort hosts its 15th annual Oktoberfest this fall on Columbus Day weekend at the base of Bear Peak and this year’s attendees will see something different there. New learning terrain for the upcoming season, including two new lower-mountain beginner trails, is being added to skier’s right of the Bear Peak base area. Most notable about this new terrain, including the addition of a renovated, handle tow, surface lift to be installed near to it, is that Attitash will make this learning area and lift available for free. “We are committed to beginner skiers & snowboarders,” said John Lowell, General Manager of Attitash Mountain Resort. “This new, and free, learning area is just the start of a Learn2 branded initiative between Attitash & Wildcat that includes related terrain, surface lift, and snowmaking improvements for the coming season, as well as new, affordable all-inclusive ski school instructional programs valid for use between the two ski areas that are designed to be inviting and easy when introducing beginners to a lifelong sport.” Lowell added that over $50,000 will be invested creating the trails, adding snowmaking enhancements, renovating and installing the new free surface lift at Bear Peak, and also relocating the conveyor belt surface lift on the Attitash side to better enhance the experience for novice skiers and snowboarders using the learning slope there. New rental equipment has also been purchased to enhance the beginners’ experience.

Wildcat Mountain, already well-known as an expert skier’s mountain, is adding a new $70,000 conveyor belt surface lift. “The legend of Wildcat Mountain is that it’s a super, challenging mountain,” said Josh Boyd, General Manager of Wildcat Mountain. “The truth is that it has excellent learning terrain, including New Hampshire’s longest, summit-to-base, novice trail, but we’ve lacked a surface lift for new skiers and snowboarders; one that would aid our ski school teaching beginner adults and children. I’m happy to say we will have that surface lift this season.”

Peak Resorts has also committed over $500,000 in snowmaking improvements and hardware for both ski areas. A total of 101 tower guns will be installed at the two resorts. Attitash will be installing 40 new tower guns adding to its already impressive snowmaking system. Wildcat Mountain will be increasing its output with the addition of 61 tower guns added to its arsenal for the 2012/13 season that will be installed on the Bobcat & Cheetah trails. At both areas, improvements to the mountain network of pipe that moves water and air continues to improve efficiency and support the increased snowmaking capabilities.

Additional on-mountain improvements for the 2012/2013 season include Attitash Mountain Resort relocating its larger terrain park to Bear Peak. The new “Abenaki” terrain park will be situated on Lower Myth Maker and Kachina trails and can be accessed from the Abenaki Quad chair mid-station. Leveraging the experience and expertise that has created Carinthia at Mount Snow, relocating and developing the “Abenaki” terrain park at Attitash is the next progressive step for Peak Resorts to utilize a crew of innovative park groomers and cutters and central fabrication shops to develop and maintain freestyle terrain areas and parks that are appropriate for each resort. The move will also allow for expanded intermediate terrain on the Attitash side opening up Thad’s Choice for all skiers and snowboarders.

Wildcat Mountain has also continued for a second year to work closely with the U.S. Forest Service to improve and maintain the approved glade and tree skiing areas during the off-season. Peak Resorts is committed to the tree skiing at Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort and is improving areas responsibly and consistent with the U.S. Forest Service.

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Attitash Mountain Resort, located in the Mount Washington Valley, has previously been ranked amongst the East’s top ten ski resorts for grooming, weather, accessibility, and off-hill activities by readers of SKI Magazine. Offering two distinct mountains, Attitash and Bear Peak, and one of New England’s most advanced snow making systems, Attitash is known for its signature terrain parks, ski school and children’s programs, open-glade terrain, après entertainment, family value, the year-round mountain coaster attraction, and quality slopeside accommodations featuring the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel. For further information, please visit www.attitash.com or call 1-800-223 SNOW.

Wildcat Mountain, a year-round destination located 100% within the White Mountain National Forest in Pinkham Notch, is home to New Hampshire’s most powerful quad summit chair lift and is renowned for its high summit elevation over 4,000 feet and greater than 2,100 vertical feet of skiing and riding; longest novice trail in the state at just under 3 miles; and proximity to Mt. Washington that contributes up to 200 inches of snow and a long winter/spring season annually. Wildcat Mountain has consistently been rated #1 scenery and has previously been ranked top ten in the East for snow, terrain variety, and value by readers of SKI Magazine. For further information, please visit www.skiwildcat.com or call 1-888-SKI WILD.