Pats Peak – Winter Fun

PHOTO: Skiing is more fun with friends. Jeremy, yours truly, Bria and Danielle on top of Pats Peak.

by Amy Patenaude
Outdoor/Ski Writer

I skied all morning at Pats Peak in Henniker today. We were first in line at the chairlift and at 9am and we got the first chair-ride up. The people behind us had it just as good because there were plenty of choices for trails to ski. Pats Peak is 100 percent open, thanks to their snowmakers and Mother Nature.
Skiing is more fun with friends.
Bria, Jeremy and Danielle all have the Indy Pass, Indyskipass.com. The Indy Pass is good for two visits to 81 resorts; included NH resorts are: Pats Peak, Cannon, Waterville Valley and Black Mountain.
Two of us had the day off and two of us had the morning free. Right off we decided to see if we could ski every trail on the mountain before noon.
We went to the Twister Trail first because they were setting up for a middle-school race. I knew once the course was set they’d close the trail to everyone but the racers. The snow was really nice packed powder. We then hit the FIS Race Trail, the New England College Ski Team banner was up and the coach was setting up a practice slalom course on one side of the trail.

We ended up lapping each of these trails twice while there was no one else on these slopes.
We then yoyo-ed the ski area, up the lift and down a different trail for 3 hours straight. Cyclone, Tornado, Duster and East Wind were delightful. We included the Cascade Basin trails on the back side of the mountain. The skiers and snowboarders were spread out all over and there never was much of a lift line.
The chairlifts are triple chairs so the four of us kept mixing up the pairings for the lift rides.
Jeremy and I ended the morning with runs down the steepest and bumpiest trails – Hurricane and Vortex. The Hurricane can be intimidating because it also runs right below the chairlift where everyone can see your every turn.
The Pats Peak Ski Patrol were practicing their toboggan skills on the Hurricane. They were impressive. A patroler rode in the sled as two others guided the sled over the challenging terrain.
Bria and Danielle kept skiing, waiting until the lunch crowd went back out on the slopes before they would head inside for lunch. Jeremy and I left at noon and I reluctantly went back to work.
I have been trying to get out to ski Pats Peak a few times a week this season. I am off to a good start. Another friend, a season pass holder, is working from home and I have convinced her we should get out one morning a week for 5 runs, that is how many runs we can do in an hour. We have gone three times so far and we have yet to do 5 runs, we somehow managed to do 7 or even 10 runs. We haven’t gotten back to work on time yet.

The adult racing league is off to a great start. This is the 32nd year of the adult racing league sponsored by Coor Light/S&W Sports. On the first Monday of January racing began and it runs 4 nights a week.
I race on Monday nights and it is a dual course and our times are adjusted by the NASTAR racing system that factors our age and gender. I may not be as fast as I used to be but the system keeps me competitive.
On Thursday nights I work with the race crew. They put me to work lining up the skiers and snowboarders to get them into the start orderly and quickly. Everyone is there for fun.

Competitors joining the league range from former college and US Ski team members to snowboarders and skiers who have never raced before. People of all ages, well over 21 years old and up, race all winter long. And most, as well, often enjoy an après ski beverage in the Sled Pub.
I’ve been to a few other ski resorts this winter and most things feel normal and are running smoothly. Many of the protocols that were put in place last season, such as limiting our time and wearing face coverings in the lodges, are still being practiced. Know before you go is a good idea–visit your favorite resort’s webpage to learn their policies and requirements.
I am so thankful there is snow! There is enough snow for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. I skied in the annual l0k Jackson Jaunt xc ski skate race at Jackson Ski Touring a few weeks ago! My husband, Charlie, cross-country skied on the Black Water Ski Club’s loops at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds yesterday.
I love winter.
Have fun.