HENNIKER, New Hampshire — Pats Peak, New Hampshire’s premier family snowsports destination, is proud to announce patroller, Kenneth Plourde, as the 2009 recipient of the National Ski Patrol Silver Merit Star as runner-up in the Outstanding Young Patroller category.

Plourde was the NH Region and Eastern Division winner of this award, which is then submitted to the national level. Plourde distinguished himself among his fellow student and adult patrollers alike through his excellent skiing, toboggan skills, knowledge and dedication.

Plourde is 18 years old. He is a 2009 graduate of Goffstown High School and now attend college in Montana. He is also a member of the Goffstown Fire and EMT Department.

“By early January of his first year, he was going on accident calls as the lead patroller, often as the only patroller on a call. If we could have given an award for eagerness, willingness to help out, and go beyond what is expected of a regular patroller this individual would surly have been the winner,” says Bob Wright, Pats Peak Ski Patrol Director.

Over the past twenty years, Pats Peak has had three outstanding and three runner-up National Ski Patrollers. Most of these patrollers are still on the Pats Peak Ski Patrol team.

About National Ski Patrol (NSP)

Today, the nonprofit National Ski Patrol still adheres to the creed of “Service and Safety” established more than 70 years ago. As the industry has evolved, so too has the NSP. The emergence of new snowsports like snowboarding, tubing and snow-skating has introduced new equipment and terrain requiring new safety and rescue techniques and emergency care methods to be developed and taught. In addition, greater access to the backcountry has brought new training and regimens for NSP members as well.

As the leading authority of on-mountain safety, the NSP is dedicated to serving the public and outdoor recreation industry by providing education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers. The organization is made up of more than 27,000 members serving over 600 patrols, including alpine, nordic and auxiliary patrollers. Our members work on behalf of local ski and snowboard areas to improve the overall experience for outdoor recreationalists.

Interested in becoming a member of the National Ski Patrol?

Contact Bob Wright, Pats Peak Patrol Director, at the First Aid Building, call (603) 428-3245, ext 201 or email [email]bob@patspeak.com[/email].

More about Pats Peak:
Pats Peak is in its 47th consecutive ski and snowboard season under the Patenaude family ownership. Pats Peak has 22 well-groomed trails for all abilities, 7 gladed areas, 3 terrain parks, a snowtubing park, 10 high-capacity 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 and a Weekend Learn to Ski and Ride Program for adults and children, on either Saturday or Sunday for seven consecutive weeks. 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, with half-day instruction, for all ability levels. Pats Peak has 100% of its trails and slopes 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).