Our Northern New Hampshire ski safari continued today at Wildcat Mountain. Before booting up, we made a stop at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and partook in a scrumptious breakfast buffet. All the classics were skied including top to bottom runs down Wildcat, Lynx, and a nonstop Polecat. Conditions were a respectable packed powder with the rare pocket of left over powder.
The highlight of my day was finally skiing Wildcat’s sidecountry which had somehow eluded me for years. The trees reminded me of Cannon’s tight and steep longer lines, I was in my element. Though after four previous days of skiing, my legs did not allow me to do the shot justice. Despite my lack luster turns, I found the descent exhilarating. I definitely need to make some time for more exploration.
Wildcat is an interesting mountain to juxtapose against my home mountain, Cannon. Both mountains are rich in history and date back to the original New England CCC race trails. While both mountains have expanded the original trail widths and added new trails, Wildcat’s trails retain far more curves than all but a few of Cannon’s trails. I enjoyed cruising around those classic bends again.
The purchase of Wildcat by Peak Resorts and its subsequent pairing with Attitash provides Peak with a decided marketing edge in the Mount Washington Valley. With season passes and day tickets valid at either mountain, vacationers and home owners at Attitash have two options on any given day. Wildcat’s later season, ungroomed terrain, top to bottom vertical, and excellent spring conditions are added to the Attitash package.
Wildcat die hards get early season skiing at Attitash in exchange for higher season pass prices and the elimination of the Wednesday two-fer. Additionally, Wildcat skiers are able to ski Attitash early season and take advantage of their fan guns.
Perhaps the most important thing Peak Resorts have offered Wildcat die hards is to not change a thing about the mountain. Excepting for the unified logos and Attitash ad in the base lodge, you would never know that Peak Resorts recently purchased the mountain. Just like the widening of those original classic ski trails; even through the changes, the character of the mountain is still there.
2 thoughts on “NSBS Day 3: Wildcat”
I agree that Peak Resorts’ marketing these two ski areas makes a lot of sense for both mountains’ clientele. Since moving into the northeast, PR doesn’t seem to have made any missteps (other than the exterior of that base lodge at Crotched).
Not only has Peak Resorts not made any missteps, it is striking how well they appear to manage their areas. All areas have gotten substantial upgrades under PR direction. Hopefully Wildcat gets a snow making upgrade, that would help them (they opened VERY late this year, even compared to similar types of competing mountains). Though who knows if that good management has translated into profitability?