Bartlett & Pinkham Notch, NH – Summer attraction operations remain in full swing at both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain, but major improvements and investments for the 2013/2014 winter season are being made at both ski areas as fall approaches.

Attitash Mountain Resort will host its 16th annual Oktoberfest on Columbus Day weekend at the base of Bear Peak this fall. Across the road, on the other side of Route 302, a major rejuvenation project costing 1.3 million dollars is taking place at Thorne Pond. “Thorne Pond is a major resource for Attitash especially for our snowmaking water. Ever since Tropical Storm Irene, the available water and in turn our snowmaking systems have been compromised by the excessive silt left by that weather event,” said John Lowell, President of Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain. “A major rejuvenation project is underway in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Services that will restore the original capacity of the pond. More importantly, it will clean up the sediment on the bottom of the pond making the water crystal clear and less detrimental to our snowmaking pumps.” Also during the off season, another quarter million dollars of capital money is being spent on major lift maintenance projects for both the Summit Triple and Top Notch Double lifts. Additionally an entirely new fleet of HEAD rental skis has been purchased that will improve the rental process and skiing experience for customers. Looking ahead to the 2014 summer, Attitash is hoping to expand its year round attractions and is well in to the late planning stages for the construction of two major zip lines. Approval has been granted from the Town of Bartlett and U.S. Forest Service. The Zip Tour experience would offer a 5000 foot zip line from Bear Peak to Attitash. That would currently be the longest single span zip line in the continental US. A second zip line of 3000 feet would return the riders to the base of Attitash. The final decision is expected this fall.

Wildcat Mountain completed its planned project and spent over $55,000 to remove the old summit gondola building that had long been abandoned for use and not maintained prior to Peak Resorts acquiring Wildcat. “We’re pleased to have finally completed the removal of the old summit gondola building and to have fulfilled the request made by the U.S. Forest Service when Peak Resorts obtained its land-use permit,” said Brian Heon, General Manager of Wildcat Mountain. “I feel our passholders and all other visitors will appreciate the restored natural beauty at the summit.” Heon added that an additional quarter million dollars is being spent this season upgrading the network of snowmaking pipe on the mountain and upgrading the snowmaking pumps. One of the greater benefits of this investment will be improved snowmaking capacity and efficiencies mountain-wide, especially on the Polecat trail. Another significant project for this season at Wildcat is a new dedicated Ski Patrol building in the base area.

Additional on-mountain improvements for the 2013/2014 season include Attitash Mountain Resort continuing to build up and brand its terrain park on Bear Peak. The new “Abenaki” terrain park introduced last season and situated on Lower Myth Maker and Kachina trails remains a priority for Peak Resorts. A central crew of innovative park groomers and cutters and custom fabrication shop will continue to develop and maintain the progressive freestyle terrain area, including the delivery of 8 new rail and box elements. Wildcat Mountain, for a third year in a row, continues to improve and reclaim the approved glade and tree skiing areas. Peak Resorts is committed to the tree skiing at Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort and is improving areas aggressively, responsibly and consistent with U.S. Forest Service guidelines.

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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 more advanced snow making systems, Attitash is known for its signature terrain parks, free learning area, 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 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. The original Wildcat Trail celebrates 80 years this season from the time it was first cut in the summer of 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corp. Wildcat’s elevation and proximity to Mt. Washington contributes up to 200 inches of snow and a long winter/spring season annually and has consistently been rated #1 scenery and 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.