Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire — A key priority this offseason at New Hampshire ski resorts appears to be snowmaking. Some of the announced projects so far include a huge new snowmaking pond at Pats Peak and the restoration of access to a trail at Ragged that hasn’t had snowmaking in years. That’s not to mention Black Mountain’s endless list of projects. For Vail Resorts properties in New Hampshire, snowmaking is also a key focus.
Yesterday, Vail Resorts announced snowmaking upgrades are underway this offseason at Attitash and Wildcat. While the two ski resorts just lost their General Manager to Smugglers’ Notch, it’s a good sign that the company remains committed to the New Hampshire ski resorts.
“These upgrades will allow us to make stronger, more consistent snow earlier in the season,” said Pat Hogan, Director of Mountain Operations at Attitash and Wildcat. “By modernizing our system and optimizing equipment placement, we’re setting ourselves up for a more dependable start to winter and better snow quality throughout the season.”
The Upgrades
At Attitash, the main project is adding new low-energy snowguns to the Saco trail. Pipe replacements around the mountain will also help with more reliable operations for the cold days and nights ahead. Lastly, some snowguns will be repositioned to help improve early-season coverage.
This better positions Attitash for early-season operations, which saw top-to-bottom operations for opening day last winter.
Over at Wildcat, several projects are planned. The main one is a new air transducer that will improve air efficiency in the system. Air is a critical component of snowmaking, so this upgrade will improve production. Like Atitiash, key snowmaking pipes are being replaced, and some snowguns will be relocated. While not specified, new snowmaking equipment is also planned. The priority for Wildcat is to first make snow on the Lynx trail, then expand the mountain’s coverage from there.
Wildcat’s snowmaking operations have struggled in recent years, so it’s good to see those investments continue. Will it be enough to keep up with their nearby competitors, including independent Black Mountain? We’ll have to wait and see.
Image/Video Credits: Attitash Mountain Resort, Lincoln in the Adirondacks, Wildcat Mountain
