Pats Peak Formally Announces Terrain and Lift Expansion

[thetrailboss]

Looks good!

Cascade Basin. I beat that the new "high capacity lift" will be a fixed grip quad or triple. Probably not a HSQ.

Looks like a little more vertical for them too with that higher peak.

 

[thetrailboss]

Here's the page on project: http://www.patspeak.com/cascadebasin.html

Looks like they already cut a trail and laid some snowmaking pipe.

Looks like another Triple.

 

[Nick]

Cool. Does Pats already have woods?

 

[bobbutts]

Cool. Does Pats already have woods?

There are a few marked glades on the map now. Hurricane glade and the one next to FIS are decent. The others are too flat.

 

[xwhaler]

Looks neat....interesting they plan to blow snow in a glade....not sure I've seen that before?
Is the pitch more continuous over there does anyone know? The drawback with Pats is the run-out of course. Nice night skiing operation....if I worked/lived closer I'd prob grab a night pass for after work turns.

"The new triple chairlift will open up a whole new dimension of skiing and riding at Pats Peak with the addition of 20 plus acres of new terrain. All of the trails will be oriented toward novice and intermediate skiers and riders. Experts will have a couple of glades to choose from, including one with snowmaking coverage."

 

[thetrailboss]

From what I've read, it sounds like the same gentle pitch as the rest of the area...nothing too crazy. I wonder if there will be night skiing on this section or if it will be day only? And I wonder if they will install a new-new triple or a used one from another resort? At any rate, this is great news for them. It is a well run ski area.

 

[St. Bear]

Looks neat....interesting they plan to blow snow in a glade....not sure I've seen that before?
"

I know when they blow snow on Hurricane, a lot of it gets blown into the woods. I always assumed it was done on purpose.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Looks like a little more vertical for them too with that higher peak.

I don't think so.It looks like that peak is about 200 feet lower.

 

[bobbutts]

Found this, illustrates the expansion better:

 

[bobbutts]

I know when they blow snow on Hurricane, a lot of it gets blown into the woods. I always assumed it was done on purpose.

They blow specifically on the flat glades, not just blow off from the other trails.

 

[Smellytele]

From what I've read, it sounds like the same gentle pitch as the rest of the area...nothing too crazy.

Actually while the existing runs are not that long the center of the mountain (hill) does have some pitch to it. Hurricane is steep and the 3 on west side of it also has some pitch. Tornado also has some pitch. This new area for the most part has been said to be mostly blue and green.

 

[thetrailboss]

Found this, illustrates the expansion better:
View attachment 7896

Guess that they are not going to use the liftline as a trail.

And that second summit must be a little bit higher because there is a trail that runs from that lift beside the snowmaking pond and to the main summit area. You would not ski the other way......

 

[bobbutts]

Here's my attempt at overlaying on Google Earth.. Likely to be at least somewhat inaccurate.

 

[St. Bear]

View attachment 7897

Here's my attempt at overlaying on Google Earth.. Likely to be at least somewhat inaccurate.

So it'll be one of those deals where they'll claim to increase a higher vertical, but you won't be able to ski it in one shot.

 

[thetrailboss]

350' vertical? Really?

 

[deadheadskier]

So it'll be one of those deals where they'll claim to increase a higher vertical, but you won't be able to ski it in one shot.

You won't be able to ski the full vertical from one lift, but from the looks of it, you'll be able to ski from the new Peak down to the main base in one shot. That connecting trail up top will be awfully flat from the looks of it, so it will probably only be used to connect back to the main area.

Here's a couple of photos from when I was there today.

Trail sign hinting at the future expansion and site of new snowmaking pond in the background:

Connecting Trail to new pod off Backdraft

The terrain they are adding probably won't excite too many AZ members, but the kids who learn at Pat's I'm sure will really love it both for the additional acreage and the "Outback" type feel of the new terrain . It would appear the terrain will be a slight step up from the Valley Area in terms of pitch and vertical. I wouldn't anticipate anything much more difficult than Easy Wind or Duster, but that's okay, the hill could use a few more trails like those to help kids build their skills to step up to Cyclone and Twister.

Hey if it keeps the families coming back and motivates Pat's to continue to hammer Hurricane with snowmaking and providing bumps, I'm all for it.

 

[Conrad]

Great to hear the news! "High Capacity Triple" must mean there is going to be a loading conveyor, I guess.

 

[ss20]

That connecting trail looks awesome! I love the look of closely packed pine trees draped in a cover of snow. Definitely contributed to my love for South Ridge at Killington.

 

[thetrailboss]

Actually while the existing runs are not that long the center of the mountain (hill) does have some pitch to it. Hurricane is steep and the 3 on west side of it also has some pitch. Tornado also has some pitch. This new area for the most part has been said to be mostly blue and green.

For sure. Those front center runs are fun.

 

[skiking4]

350' vertical? Really?

+1

What?