Henniker, NH, August 5, 2013– PATS PEAK, southern New Hampshire’s favorite mountain, enters into its 51st consecutive ski and snowboard season under the same local family ownership.

There are exciting improvements in store for the 2013/2014 season with a new triple chairlift to service four new trails and one glade as part of the Cascade Basin expansion, a new area with 100% snowmaking coverage; (6) additional energy-efficient snowmaking guns; more rental equipment; and the installation of geothermal heating.

Kris Blomback, General Manager, commented, “We always strive to provide our guests with something new and exciting every season. This season we are excited to showcase our largest expansion project ever with the addition of Cascade Basin.”

-New Triple Chairlift

This summer Pats Peak installed a new triple chairlift as part of their Cascade Basin Expansion. This will bring the number of chairlifts to six, giving Pats Peak the largest uphill capacity in the region to assure a great day on the snow.

-4 New Trails and 1 Glade

Cascade Basin is a completely new area on the “backside” of the main mountain. For the 2013/2014 season, the new area will consist of four new ski trails as well as one new glade. The trails will have 100% snowmaking coverage to continue to provide quality snow surfaces. Future options include more terrain, night skiing and additional terrain parks.

To enter into the new area, skiers/riders will take the Backdraft trail, which will lead them to the bottom of the new triple chairlift. Trail names will be picked this summer via a Facebook Contest.

Blomback stated, “We are excited to add an entirely new area to our mix of trails. Skiers and riders are going to love exploring this new terrain to give them more variety. Last year our guests came up with a slew of good names in our trail naming contest so we are going to do it again with another Facebook trail naming contest.”

For more information on the Cascade Basin expansion including a blog, maps, timeline and photo journal: http://www.patspeak.com/winter/cascadebasin.html.

-Upgraded Snowmaking Capabilities with Additional Energy-Efficient Snowmaking Guns

Every year the snowmaking efforts gain enhancements to provide even more snowmaking power to the trails. This season six additional snowmaking fan guns will be added to the snowmaking arsenal to improve snow output. Fan guns require 20-25% less compressed air than other technologies, while putting out more snow in marginal temperature conditions. Pats Peak was the first ski area in New Hampshire to offer snowmaking and continues today to be an industry leader.

“Energy efficiency and the ability to open more terrain quickly remain our top priorities. These type of snow guns give us the ability to open more terrain faster and sustain it longer through stretches with marginal temperatures”, says Blomback.

-More Rental Equipment

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 new ski boots, skis and Burton Learn-to-Ride boots and snowboards have been added. 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.

-Installation of Geothermal Heating

Every year Pats Peak takes steps to lessen the ski area’s environmental footprint. This season’s action includes adding geothermal heating to heat the base lodges and paved walkways. Geothermal heating is one of the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective ways to heat. It generates far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a conventional system.

GREAT SEASON PASS RATES – MANY AFFORDABLE OPTIONS

PATS PEAK is close to home; located only twenty minutes from Concord, forty minutes from Manchester, and ninety minutes from Boston. Skiers and Riders can enjoy their winter season close to home at PATS PEAK, with great skiing and riding on incredible snow with outstanding customer service. PATS PEAK Season Passes provide outstanding value for guests who ski or ride frequently. An early season discounted Season Pass rate is available until September 3rd. For PATS PEAK Season Pass prices and products and to order online visit http://www.patspeak.com/winter/seasonpasses.html.

PAY-ONE-PRICE (POP) SATURDAY NIGHTS – UNDER THE LIGHTS

PATS PEAK continues its most popular program, Pay-One-Price (POP) Saturday Nights, whereby one low price on Saturday nights allows access to lesson tips, lifts, tubing, rentals, entertainment, bonfires and more from 3pm to 10pm (tubing hours 5pm to 10pm). POP Group discount is available for 15 or more people by contacting Group Sales. It’s the most affordable night skiing in all of New England. For more information on this program, visit http://www.patspeak.com/winter/lift_rate.html.

ADULT CLINICS – FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH ADVANCED

The Adult Ski & Snowboard Clinics are a great way for skiers and riders who have the flexibility midweek to spend their morning on the slopes. Purchase seven (7) half-days of professional lesson clinics with the Pats Peak Snowsports School including lunch with the instructor and take the lesson clinic on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday morning, starting the first full week in January until the end of the season (excluding Wednesdays, Monday of Martin Luther King, Jr Day, February President’s Week or NH Vacation Week). These lesson clinics must be taken during the current season. Lesson Clinic meets at 10am at the Snowsports Meeting Place. For more information on this program, visit http://www.patspeak.com/winter/adultskiclinics.html.

WOW – WOMEN’S ONLY WEDNESDAY – SKI/SNOWBOARD CLINIC

The WOW Program is offered on Wednesday mornings for seven (7) weeks beginning the first full week in January (excluding February President’s Week or NH Vacation Week). Skiers/riders meet for a continental breakfast at 9am in the Sleigh Room along with an exciting morning discussion, designed around the needs of the participants of the program. Then head out onto the slopes for lesson clinics taught by women! To end the morning, enjoy lunch with the instructors. For more information on this program, visit http://www.patspeak.com/winter/adultskiclinics.html.

ADULT/CORPORATE NIGHT RACING – OPEN TO ALL ABILITIES

Get in some time on the snow during weeknights and spend it with friends in the PATS PEAK Adult/Corporate Night Racing Series beginning in January. This race series competes in the NASTAR dual GS format on either FIS Race Trail or Twister Slope. Teams consist of five to seven team members at least 21 years of age. The top five best times for each night are calculated. Individual and team rankings are based on a points system to determine finishes. Individuals or those who don’t have a complete team can easily be placed on other teams by the PATS PEAK Race Department. For more information, visit http://www.patspeak.com/winter/adultracing.html.

Related links:
Pats Peak, New Hampshire

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More about PATS PEAK:
PATS PEAK is beginning 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 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