If you’ve been trying to teach the little ones at Wildcat Mountain over the last year or so, you might have noticed things were a little tighter than usual. As a mom who has spent countless hours snowplowing backwards while shouting "pizza, pizza!" to my kids, I know how vital a dedicated learning area is. That's why I am absolutely thrilled to share some good news coming out of New Hampshire this week.
The Snowcat is Purring Again
After being out of commission for the entire 2024-25 season due to extensive repairs, Wildcat Mountain has officially reopened the Snowcat chairlift.
For those of us with novice skiers and riders in the family, this is huge. The Snowcat is a fixed-grip lift (which, let's be honest, is often easier for kids to load than those high-speed rockets) that services the resort's beginner area. having a dedicated space where beginners aren't constantly looking over their shoulders for expert skiers flying by is crucial for building confidence.
The refurbishment was finished up this past offseason, and the state has finally given the thumbs-up for operations to resume. In another win for the active parents out there, uphill access has also opened for the season.
Transparency on Conditions
We all know the East Coast weather can be... let's call it "character building." There has been some chatter lately about Wildcat lagging behind on trail counts, a frustration often directed at their operator, Vail Resorts.
However, I really appreciate the recent transparency from the team on the ground. Brandon Swartz, the GM of Attitash and Wildcat, recently addressed the challenges directly. It turns out, those famous Wildcat winds haven't just been chilling our toes; they've been playing havoc with snowmaking.
Brandon explained that while it's been cold, the wind often means snow made in the air doesn't actually land on the trails. He noted:
"We want to be sure that we are not just making snow in the woods, but that it lands on the trails to maximize our water capacity... We want to open as much of the mountain as quickly as we can and are not holding back."
He also mentioned that they are focusing on bulking up the Middle and Lower Lynx trails before moving on to the Catapult and Alley Cat areas. As a parent planning a trip, I'd much rather have honest updates about wind holds and snowmaking realities than arrive to unexpected closures.
Current Status
If you are packing up the car for a trip this weekend, manage your expectations but stay optimistic. As of January 9th, Wildcat has 15 of 48 trails open and three out of five lifts spinning, including the Wildcat Express.
It’s been a slow start, but seeing the beginner infrastructure back online is a fantastic step in the right direction. See you on the bunny hill!
Source: Unofficial Networks
