Wildcat Mountain remains a classic among New England ski areas, providing a glimpse of the sports heritage and roots and continues to resonate with a core market that simply comes to ski and ride.
It was
the summer of 1933 that the depression born civilian conservation
corps, armed with axes and cross-cut saws, started clearing
the Wildcat trail, one of the first ski racing trails built
in the United States. Designed by Charley Proctor, the all-around
ski champion of Canada in 1927, it was designated as a class "A" racing
trail.
The decision
to develop a modern ski area on Wildcat Mountain was influenced
by a few factors. Tremendous annual snowfall, high elevation,
and northern exposure assuring a long ski season. Then there
was the possibility of year-round recreational development.
Of course, the spectacular scenery that surrounds Wildcat,
including eye-level views of Tuckerman Ravine and Mt. Washington
directly across Pinkham Notch, played a role as well!
Among
the group that dreamed, planned, and finally built the ski
area were Brooks Dodge and George Macomber, both of whom
had raced many times on the famous old Wildcat Trail. These
two men, each of whom had raced on two U.S. Olympic teams,
were joined by Malcolm McLane and William Beal in shaping
the first plans for the development of Wildcat Mountain Ski
Area. A corporation was formed, capital obtained, and before
you knew it the first T-bar was ready to roll. Only a few
weeks later, and with appropriate ceremonies and fanfare,
the first Gondola passengers were carried all the way to
the top of the Mountain. Wildcat had entered the "Big
Time" as one of the major ski areas in the United States.
The Wildcat
Gondola, Wildcat's trademark for many years, was the first
lift of this type to be erected in the U.S. It opened for
operation during the 1957-58 ski season on January 25, 1958.
It was carried by twenty-three towers which kept the lift
close to the contours of the mountain, helping to protect
the lift from winds. The original Gondola has been dismantled,
and today Wildcat does not operate a Gondola or enclosed
lift during ski season. Taking the Gondola's place for base
to summit transportation during the ski season is the Wildcat
Express, a high-speed detachable quad chairlift, which was
installed in 1997. The Wildcat Express is the fastest and
longest detachable Quad chair lift in the New Hampshire and
Maine - possibly the fastest in the Northest. It zips from
the base to the summit in just over 6 minutes! During the
summer and fall, the Quad lift line is then transformed in
order to operate the new Wildcat Express Gondola Skyrides
for sightseers -- New Hamphsire's highest 4-person Gondola!
There
lingers the misconception that Wildcat is a mountain for
experts only. While the old-timers remember with nostalgia
the s-turns and narrowness of Wildcat's first trails, these
trails have been tamed over the years. Although the grade
remains, the trails have been widened. This, combined with
modern snow-making and grooming technology, has created
a unique and beautiful place for the whole family to learn
to ski. In fact, the award-winning Polecat Trail has been
described as
Celebrate 50 Video - Move arrow over video to have controls appear and "click play".
"two
and three quarter miles of sheer pleasure",
"a masterpiece of construction",
"the most scenic trail in the U.S."
The
Polecat, which keeps a special place in many a skier's
heart, is New Hampshire's
longest ski trail! Anyone who can complete a basic turn
can ski the Polecat and experience the satisfaction of
having skied a big mountain from top to bottom. Those of
us who grew up skiing at Wildcat know it's the best place
to learn!
A Celebration of fifty years of lift-serviced skiing and riding at Wildcat Mountain took place on January 25th and 26th, 2008. This event included vintage material, a slide show and original presentation of this video for you to watch if you missed the first showing or would like to watch it again.
Over
four feet of snow on Wildcat after more than three feet was
delivered by the October 25th Noreaster. Tuesday, skiers climbed
with skins on their skis to reap the reward of at least three
feet of new snow and drifts from eight to ten-feet!
Wildcat was the first East Coast ski area to spin its lifts and open nearly one
month early on Friday, October 28th, 2005. This was no Halloween trick. Many were treated to the experience of new snow and the rustle of leaves all in the same day!
The decision
to develop a modern ski area on Wildcat Mountain was influenced
by a few factors. Tremendous annual snowfall, high elevation,
and northern exposure assuring a long ski season. Then there
was the possibility of year-round recreational development.
Of course, the spectacular scenery that surrounds Wildcat,
including eye-level views of Tuckerman Ravine and Mt. Washington
directly across Pinkham Notch, played a role as well!
Click to watch the 
Route
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